Square vs Rectangle Tissue Box Holder: How to Measure

A tissue box holder is one of the easiest ways to make a bathroom counter, nightstand or desk look tidier. Printed cardboard boxes rarely match anything, and a clear or patterned acrylic cover hides the branding. The catch is fit. A cover that's a little too small won't go over your box at all, and one that's the wrong shape is useless.

Here's how to choose between square and rectangle, and how to measure so you get it right.

Square and rectangle are not interchangeable

Tissue boxes come in two basic shapes:

• Cube (square) boxes stand upright and dispense from the top. They're common on nightstands and small bathroom counters.
• Flat (rectangular) boxes lie long and low. They're common in living rooms, offices and kitchens, and usually hold more tissues.

A square cover won't fit a rectangular box, and vice versa. So the first step is simply to look at the box you buy most often.

The two Dasher sizes

Both Dasher tissue box holders are made from 3mm cast acrylic with polished edges, have a slide-out bottom lid for refills, and sit on clear rubber feet.

The rectangle listing is explicit: it will not fit jumbo or family-sized tissue boxes. Those boxes are taller, and the holder is 3.9 inches tall on the outside.

How to measure your tissue box

This is general advice that applies to any cover:

1. Measure length, width and height of the box you actually use, with a ruler or tape. Brands and counts vary.
2. Compare with the cover's inside space, not its outside. Acrylic walls have thickness (3mm on ours, roughly 1/8 inch each side), so the inside is slightly smaller than the outside dimensions.
3. Height matters most for flat boxes. The length and width of standard flat boxes are fairly consistent, but height varies with the tissue count. Higher-count boxes are taller.
4. Leave a little room. A box that just barely fits will be hard to slide in and out at refill time.

If your box is a jumbo or bulk "family" size, a standard rectangle cover is unlikely to fit. Consider the box-free option below.

The box-free option

You don't have to keep the cardboard box at all. Both Dasher holders let you take the tissues out of their packaging and stack them directly inside. That gives a cleaner look, especially in clear acrylic, and it gets around size problems. A stack of tissues from a slightly-too-tall box will usually fit when the box itself won't.

The holders can also hold napkins or dryer sheets, so you can use one in a kitchen or laundry room too.

Which shape suits which room

General guidance:

• Nightstands and small vanities: square takes up less surface area.
• Bathroom counters with space, desks, coffee tables: rectangle sits low and looks proportional on longer surfaces.
• Offices and reception areas: rectangle boxes are common in bulk office supplies, so match what you stock.

Picking a finish

The square holder comes in clear, iridescent, marble, tortoise shell, clear glitter and black glitter. The rectangle comes in the same range. Clear disappears into any room; tortoise shell and marble look more like a decor piece. Browse them all in the tissue holders collection.

Common fit mistakes to avoid

A few problems come up again and again (general advice):

• Buying by brand name alone. The same brand sells several box sizes, and counts change over time. Measure the box you have now.
• Forgetting the height of a flat box. Two flat boxes can have the same footprint, but the higher-count one will be taller. On a rectangle cover, height is usually what decides the fit.
• Measuring the cover's outside. Product dimensions are usually outside measurements. Subtract the wall thickness on each side to estimate the inside space.
• Ignoring the opening. If you stack loose tissues inside, pull the first one through the top opening before you close the lid, so the next ones follow.

Care tips

• Wipe acrylic with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid paper towels and abrasive cleaners, which can scratch it.
• Dry off splashes near sinks so water spots don't build up.

FAQ

Will the rectangle holder fit a jumbo tissue box? No. The listing states it will not fit jumbo or family-sized boxes. You can remove the tissues from the box and place them inside instead.

How do I refill it? Both holders have a slide-out bottom lid. Slide it open, add a new box or stack of tissues, and close it.

Will it slide around on the counter? Both have clear rubber feet to help keep them in place.

What thickness is the acrylic? 3mm cast acrylic with polished edges.

Can I use it for something other than tissues? Yes. The listings mention napkins and dryer sheets as well.