Dish Soap Holder
A soap dish holder is a small fitting that makes a big difference to how tidy a bathroom or kitchen looks. Getting the right one comes down to where it's going, how it's fixed, and whether the finish matches the tapware already installed.
Wall-mounted or sink-set
Most bathroom soap dishes, like the Phoenix, Johnson Suisse and Nero ranges, are wall-mounted next to the basin or in the shower recess. Kitchen soap holders, such as the Oliveri Athens and Madrid ranges, sit on the sink deck or clip to the sink edge, keeping dish soap within reach of the tap. Check which type you need before you buy, as the fixings differ.
Solid dish, basket, or dish with drain
- Solid dish: a simple tray, best for basin areas where soap stays dry between uses.
- Dish with drain: has a drain hole or slots so water runs off rather than pooling, better suited to showers.
- Soap basket: an open wire or mesh style, good for shower use and for soap bars that need airflow.
If the dish is going in a shower, choose one with drainage. On a vanity or kitchen sink, a solid dish is usually enough.
Matching the finish to your tapware
Soap dishes come in the same finishes as most Australian tapware ranges: chrome, matte black, brushed nickel, brushed carbon, gunmetal and brushed gold. For a co-ordinated bathroom, match the soap dish finish to your bathroom tapware or shower tapware. In the kitchen, line it up with your kitchen tap mixers. Brands often share finish names across their accessory and tapware ranges, so check both are from the same collection where possible.
Mounting and fixing
Most wall-mounted soap dishes fix with screws into tiled or solid walls, though some come with an adhesive fixing option for tiles you don't want to drill. Sink-set holders typically clip or sit into a pre-cut hole, so check the hole size matches your sink before ordering. If you're fitting into an existing splashback or vanity, measure the mounting area first.
Choosing by brand and room
- Phoenix, Johnson Suisse, Nero: wall-mounted bathroom soap dishes and holders in a range of finishes to suit basins and showers.
- Oliveri: kitchen sink soap holders, often paired with Oliveri sinks and tap mixers.
- Fienza: soap shelves that double as a small storage ledge.
- Metlam: stainless steel and designer finishes, including commercial-grade options. For heavy-duty or public washroom use, see the Metlam Commercial Soap Dish range, and pair with a Metlam Commercial Soap Dispenser where needed.
If you're fitting out a full bathroom, check the wider bathroom range and toilet roll holders to keep finishes consistent throughout.
