Selling handmade ceramics online is no longer just a hobby — it’s a powerful business model. Among the easiest and most profitable items to create are ceramic soap dishes and toothbrush holders. They’re small, fast to produce, and always in demand. Every home, apartment, guest room, hotel, spa, or Airbnb needs them, which means the market never runs dry.
In this article, we’ll explore practical, profitable, and creative ideas to make your ceramic soap dishes and toothbrush holders stand out online. Whether you sell on Etsy, your own website, Instagram, TikTok, or local marketplaces, these strategies will help you create products customers love — and pay premium prices for.
Let’s dive into how to design, shape, glaze, photograph, and market these small but powerful ceramic pieces.
1. Why Soap Dishes and Toothbrush Holders Sell Extremely Well
Before we talk about design, you need to understand why these products work so well for online stores.
a. They’re Everyday Essentials
Everyone needs them. There’s no seasonality, no holiday dependence, no trends that disappear overnight. Bathrooms are always being updated, renovated, or decorated — which makes these pieces evergreen sellers.
b. They’re Lightweight and Easy to Ship
Unlike mugs, plates, or large bowls, soap dishes and toothbrush holders are compact and cost less to ship. This gives you:
- Lower shipping fees
- Lower risk of breakage
- Faster fulfillment
- Less packaging work
The lighter the product, the easier the online business becomes.
c. Perfect for Minimalist and Small Spaces
Many customers live in apartments or small homes. They don’t buy large ceramics — but a soap dish? A toothbrush holder? Always useful.
d. High Profit Margin
These items require little clay, little glaze, and short firing cycles. With the right design, a piece that costs you under $2 to make can sell for $20–$45.
This makes them one of the best ceramic items for beginners and professionals alike.
2. Trendy Design Ideas for Soap Dishes (That Sell Fast)
Design is everything in the online market. The following styles consistently perform well because they match modern bathroom aesthetics.
a. The Minimal Flat Dish
This is clean, simple, and perfect for modern interiors.
Features that sell:
- Smooth matte glaze
- Soft rounded edges
- Subtle drainage lines
- Natural earth-tone palette
Customers love this because it blends with any bathroom style.
b. Textured Stoneware Dish
Texture is a powerful selling point. It adds personality and gives the soap dish a handcrafted feel.
Popular textures:
- Sand-like rough exterior
- Carved geometric lines
- Botanical imprint patterns
- Wavy hand-pressed surfaces
These pieces photograph beautifully and look handmade, which attracts buyers.
c. Organic Wabi-Sabi Form
Irregular shapes are trending across the entire ceramic world.
Ideas:
- Slightly uneven oval
- Asymmetrical curves
- Natural glaze drips
- Speckled surfaces
Customers seeking a “natural, imperfect, earthy” look connect instantly with these pieces.
d. Raised Drainage Dots or Ribs
Soap that stays wet becomes mushy — customers want a solution.
You can add:
- Hand-carved grooves
- Raised clay ribs
- Spiral layouts
- Dot patterns
These small details immediately communicate functionality, increasing value and price.
3. Best Design Ideas for Toothbrush Holders
Toothbrush holders have more room for creativity than most beginners realize. Here are the top-selling styles.
a. The Straight Cylinder with Texture
A simple cylindrical holder is timeless.
Make it unique by adding:
- Vertical carving lines
- Crystalline glaze
- Matte stone surface
- Soft speckles
This design is elegant and sells very well.
b. The Multi-Hole Topper
Instead of an open cup, you can create a holder with carved holes on top — separating toothbrushes in an organized way.
Customers love it for:
- Hygiene
- Clean look
- Practicality
It also photographs beautifully.
c. Oval Organic Holder
Irregular wabi-sabi shapes are extremely popular.
Ideas:
- Slightly twisted oval
- Uneven rim
- Natural glaze blending
This gives a handmade feeling that shoppers appreciate.
d. Combined Set With Soap Dish
A matching set always sells for more than individual pieces.
If your dish and holder share:
- Shape
- Color
- Texture
- Glaze style
You can charge 40–70% more without extra effort.
4. Choosing the Right Glaze Colors (Selling Psychology)
Your glaze choices directly influence conversions and your ability to charge higher prices. Here are the colors and finishes that sell best online.
a. Earthy Warm Neutrals
These include:
- Beige
- Sand
- Taupe
- Light brown
- Soft cream
People want calm bathrooms, and these colors create serenity.
b. Speckled White or Off-White
This is one of the most popular ceramic color trends globally. It matches everything, making it perfect for online buyers uncertain about interior design.
c. Matte Pastels
Soft pastel glazes perform well for:
- Women buyers
- Gift shoppers
- Minimalist homes
- Cute bathroom themes
Trending pastel colors:
- Sage
- Lavender
- Peach
- Pale blue
d. Glossy Deep Tones
For a luxury look, rich colors like forest green, charcoal, deep blue, or rust work extremely well.
They look premium, especially when photographed with soft lighting.
5. Adding Functional Features That Increase Your Selling Price
Customers love functionality. Adding small but useful features can turn a $15 item into a $35 item.
a. Drainage Holes (for Soap Dishes)
Soap that stays dry lasts longer — and buyers know this.
Drainage layouts you can create:
- Central hole
- Multiple small holes
- A carved channel
- A notch on the side
Functional = higher price.
b. Silicone Feet or Clay Feet
Keeps the dish stable and prevents slipping.
If you create clay feet, you stay 100% handmade and gain a rustic design advantage.
c. Weighted Base for Toothbrush Holders
A heavier bottom prevents tipping, which customers appreciate. Use thick clay or a compact shape.
d. Non-Scratch Bottom
A smooth base prevents damage to bathroom counters. You can sand it lightly or apply a protective layer.
These small touches increase customer satisfaction and reduce returns.
6. Photography Tips That Make Your Ceramics Sell Faster
Your product may be beautiful — but if the photos are weak, it won’t sell.
Here’s how to photograph ceramic soap dishes and toothbrush holders like a pro:
a. Use Natural Light
Place your setup near a window. Avoid harsh shadows or direct sunlight.
b. Keep the Background Clean
Recommended backgrounds:
- Wooden tray
- Smooth stone
- Neutral wall
- Light linen cloth
Never use colorful or busy backdrops.
c. Show Real Use
Examples:
- Soap resting on the dish
- Toothbrushes inside the holder
People visualize the product in their home.
d. Include Macro Shots
Detail sells handmade work.
Take close-ups of:
- Texture
- Glaze drips
- Edges
- Drain holes
This tells the customer: “Yes, this is truly handmade.”
e. Show Multiple Angles
Front, back, bottom, top — the more angles, the more trust.
7. How to Price for High Profit: The 3-Step Formula
Here’s a simple pricing method that keeps your profit margin high without scaring customers away.
Step 1: Calculate Your Costs
Include:
- Clay
- Glaze
- Kiln firing
- Packaging
- Shipping materials
- Time spent
These pieces usually cost $1–$3 each to make.
Step 2: Choose a Profit Multiplier
For handmade ceramics, a standard multiplier is ×4 or ×5.
Example:
If your cost is $3 → Price between $12 and $15
But online shoppers will pay much more for beautiful bathroom sets.
Step 3: Adjust for Presentation and Aesthetics
If your product includes:
- High-quality photos
- Unique texture
- Matching set
- Trendy glaze
- Functional drainage
You can charge $25–$45 easily.
Toothbrush holders can go as high as $55 in certain markets.
8. Creating Best-Selling Sets (The Secret to Higher Profits)
Selling items individually is good…
Selling them as a set is better.
Why Sets Sell Better
- They look intentional
- They solve multiple problems at once
- People love matching accessories
- They make great gifts
- You earn more money per order
Top-performing sets include:
- Soap dish + toothbrush holder
- Soap dish + oil burner
- Two soap dishes (for his & hers)
- A 3-piece bathroom set
Sets often sell 2x faster and for 3x the profit.
9. Packaging Ideas That Make Customers Love Your Brand
Packaging is a low-cost, high-impact detail.
What to Include:
- A simple kraft box
- Recycled paper padding
- A small “care card”
- A handwritten thank-you note
This transforms a simple purchase into a full brand experience.
10. Final Thoughts: Small Ceramics, Big Profits
Soap dishes and toothbrush holders may look small — but they are powerful sellers in the online market.
Why?
Because they are:
- Universal
- Practical
- Easy to ship
- Quick to make
- Highly customizable
- Low-cost products with high profit margins
And with the right designs, glazes, textures, and photos, your work can stand out instantly.
These small bathroom accessories can become a major income stream, and a beautiful way to express your creativity while building a sustainable online business.