The two major trends in toothbrush holders are curiously divergent. Germ killers are hot: high-tech wonders that zap bacteria and other wee beasties from bristles after every brushing. Then again, these gadgets usually require batteries and maintenance. The other end of the spectrum is graced by fun, free-form holders that can easily be repurposed.

For the same sort of shopper who might collect vintage Bakelite bangles, there’s the ultra-kitschy Umbra Rubber Grassy Organizer ($9.49). Presented as a toothbrush-and-toothpaste holder, it’s distinguished by a handful of green rubber spikes reminiscent of a hula skirt, and can also hold pencils (remember pencils?), scissors, or other small household implements. Last year, Umbra received a nod from treehugger.com for majorly overhauling its production practices, including using corn-based plastic and redoing its packaging to be styrofoam- and PVC-free.

Another structureless beauty is the Glass Toothbrush Holder in Spanish Green ($4.25) from Kit Amor. Featuring an hourglass silhouette with a square top lip, the vessel is made from 100% recycled glass and would look just as natural holding makeup or grooming accessories as well as toothbrushes–though not, perhaps, all at the same time. A great look for the price.

Another cutie from Umbra is the Umbra Boomba Toothbrush Holder ($17.99), Designed by Matt Carr, in Natural. That’s a mouthful, but the product is perfectly simple, a clean-lined minimalist piece made of eco-hip bamboo. Appropriately sized holes for brushes and paste means it’s a true toothbrush holder: no lonely-hearts pencils allowed.

You could design a whole home around the sculptural Wolf Toothbrush Holder from Colorado Custom Metal ($15.99). (Think Intentional Rustic and choose your palette in shades of fern and coffee.) Six inches high and cut from 14-gauge steel, the piece is stained with low-VOC copper powder. From a small family-run company based in Colorado Springs.

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