PaintingProGuide is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Brushes left in a jar get bent, rolled off the table or buried under paint bottles. A dedicated holder keeps every brush upright, visible and within reach, which matters more as your collection grows past a dozen.
Paint brush holders for painting crafts come in a few styles: multi-hole stands that hold brushes vertically by handle size, rotating carousels that put everything within a spin, wall-mount boards that free desk space, and combination racks that store 2 oz craft paint bottles alongside brushes.
Good storage also protects your money. A decent synthetic brush set is cheap, but a few quality rounds and liners are not, and bent tips are the fastest way to ruin them. Keeping brushes upright and separated is the simplest care habit there is.
This guide compares six options on Amazon, explains which style suits which workspace, and covers the small details, like hole sizes and assembly, that make a holder pleasant or annoying to use.
Quick answer: For most craft painters, the HESHUYU 105-Hole Clear Acrylic Brush Holder is the easiest pick: no assembly, six hole sizes and room for over a hundred brushes and tools. If you want a cheaper wooden version you can paint yourself, choose the HESHUYU 105-Hole MDF Holder. Crafters with many 2 oz paint bottles should look at the UpChoNice 7-Layer Paint Rack with Brush Holder.
The Four Styles of Brush Holder, Explained
Multi-hole stands are flat-topped blocks or boxes drilled with rows of holes in several diameters. They are the highest-capacity option for the space, and they keep each brush separate so bristles never touch. The trade-off is that short stands can let long-handled brushes lean.
Rotating carousels put holes around a round body that spins on a base. They take a square patch of desk but let you reach any brush without stretching across wet work, which is helpful when you paint with a full table of supplies.
Wall or pegboard organizers move storage off the desk entirely. Hobby and miniature painters like them because blades, files and tweezers can share the same board, safely away from elbows.
Combination paint racks are tiered shelves for 2 oz craft bottles, often with a small brush cup or holder included. If your table is covered in bottles, solving that first often frees more space than any brush stand.
There is no single best style. A crafter with 30 brushes and 80 bottles has a very different problem from a miniature painter with 15 brushes and 40 tools, so start with what is actually cluttering your space.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- HESHUYU 105-Hole Clear Acrylic Brush Holder — Best overall brush holder
- HESHUYU 105-Hole MDF Wooden Brush Holder — Best budget wooden stand
- UpChoNice 7-Layer Clear Paint Rack with Brush Holder — Best for storing paint bottles and brushes together
- 52-Hole Rotating Hardwood Brush Stand — Best rotating holder for a small desk
- Flythww 360-Degree Rotating Paint Organizer — Best rotating rack for paint and brushes
- PROSCALE Tool and Brush Organizer — Best wall-mount option for hobby painters
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HESHUYU 105-Hole Clear Acrylic Brush Holder | overall brush holder | 10.24 x 3.9 x 2.95 in, 105 holes in 6 sizes | No installation, 3 mm acrylic | $$ |
| HESHUYU 105-Hole MDF Wooden Brush Holder | budget wooden stand | 10 x 3.74 in, 105 holes, 6 sizes, MDF | Paintable DIY wood | $ |
| UpChoNice 7-Layer Clear Paint Rack with Brush Holder | storing paint bottles and brushes together | Holds about 56 x 2 oz bottles + brush holder | Tiered display of your colors | $ |
| 52-Hole Rotating Hardwood Brush Stand | rotating holder for a small desk | 6.4 x 6.4 x 5.5 in, 52 holes in 3 sizes | 360-degree base with non-slip pads | $$ |
| Flythww 360-Degree Rotating Paint Organizer | rotating rack for paint and brushes | Holds 27 x 2 oz bottles, 2 tiers, 8 sections | Rotating bottle and brush storage | $ |
| PROSCALE Tool and Brush Organizer | wall-mount option for hobby painters | Tabletop or wall mount, multi-size holes | Frees desk space, holds tools too | $ |
How We Chose
We did not use these holders ourselves. Picks are based on the Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026, how well each holder’s capacity, hole sizes, footprint and assembly suit a craft painting setup, and how widely each product is reviewed by Amazon buyers.
- Capacity versus collection size
- Range of hole sizes for different handles
- Footprint and mounting options
- Assembly effort
- Material durability and cleanability
- Extra storage for paint bottles or tools
Best Paint Brush Holders for Painting Crafts Reviewed
1. HESHUYU 105-Hole Clear Acrylic Brush Holder — Best overall brush holder
This holder’s appeal is how many brushes it handles in a small footprint. At about 10.24 x 3.9 inches it holds up to 105 brushes, pens or tools in six hole sizes, listed as 1.8, 1.5, 1.2, 1, 0.8 and 0.6 cm. Big flat brushes, detail liners and dotting tools all have a home.
It arrives assembled and stands without glue. The 3 mm acrylic is clear, so it blends into a desk and you can see where everything is. Wipe it down with a damp cloth when paint inevitably gets on it.
Best suited for: Crafters and artists with large mixed collections of brushes and small tools.
Key features:
- 105 holes in six diameters
- About 10.24 x 3.9 x 2.95 inches
- 3 mm clear acrylic
- No assembly or glue needed
Pros:
- Huge capacity in a slim shape
- Fits thin and thick handles
- Easy to clean
Cons / limitations:
- Shallow height means long-handled brushes can tip
- Clear acrylic shows scratches
- Brushes stored head-up only, not for drying wet brushes
Buying consideration: Store brushes only once dry. Wet brushes stored upright let water run into the ferrule and loosen the glue.
2. HESHUYU 105-Hole MDF Wooden Brush Holder — Best budget wooden stand
The wooden version has the same 105-hole layout in six sizes but is built from six MDF panels that you glue together. Wood glue is included per the listing, and assembly is a few minutes of fitting slots.
Because the wood is unfinished, crafters can paint, stain or decoupage it, which makes it a nice small project before it becomes storage.
Best suited for: Budget buyers and crafters who like customizing their tools.
Key features:
- 105 holes in six sizes
- Six MDF panels with wood glue
- About 10 x 3.74 inches
- Unfinished, paintable surface
Pros:
- Lowest cost here
- Can be decorated
- Same capacity as the acrylic model
Cons / limitations:
- Requires assembly and glue drying time
- MDF swells if it gets soaked
- Unfinished wood absorbs paint spills
Buying consideration: Seal it with a coat of varnish after decorating so water and paint wipe off.
3. UpChoNice 7-Layer Clear Paint Rack with Brush Holder — Best for storing paint bottles and brushes together
Craft painters often have more bottles than brushes. This seven-tier clear rack is designed for 2 oz craft paint, alcohol inks, model paints and similar bottles, and the listing states one rack holds 56 standard 2 oz bottles. A brush holder is included in the package.
It snaps together without screws or tools. The clear material lets you see every color, which speeds up picking colors mid-project.
Best suited for: Crafters with large Apple Barrel, FolkArt or Americana style bottle collections.
Key features:
- Seven tiers of clear acrylic
- Holds about 56 x 2 oz paint bottles
- Includes a brush holder
- Snap-on assembly, no tools
Pros:
- Solves bottle clutter and brush storage together
- Colors visible at a glance
- Tool-free setup
Cons / limitations:
- Larger footprint than a brush-only stand
- Not sized for tall or wide bottles
- Snap joints may loosen with frequent moving
Buying consideration: Measure your bottles; many 2 oz craft bottles fit, but taller artist paint jars may not.
4. 52-Hole Rotating Hardwood Brush Stand — Best rotating holder for a small desk
A carousel lets you reach every brush from one spot, which is handy on a crowded craft table. This solid-wood stand rotates 360 degrees on a base with six non-slip pads and holds up to 52 brushes in 0.3, 0.4 and 0.55 inch holes.
The listing describes a sanded and painted surface that resists cracks, scratches and water. Its 6.4 inch square footprint is compact.
Best suited for: Painters with a moderate brush collection and limited desk space.
Key features:
- 52 holes: 0.3, 0.4 and 0.55 inch
- 360-degree rotating base
- Solid hardwood with painted finish
- 6.4 x 6.4 x 5.5 inches
Pros:
- Compact footprint
- Rotation makes brushes easy to reach
- Heavier and more stable than acrylic
Cons / limitations:
- Fewer holes than 105-hole stands
- Three hole sizes may not fit very thick handles
- Higher cost
Buying consideration: If you own several big flat or mop brushes, check that the 0.55 inch holes fit their handles.
5. Flythww 360-Degree Rotating Paint Organizer — Best rotating rack for paint and brushes
This two-tier rotating organizer holds up to 27 standard 2 oz paint bottles in eight divided sections and includes brush storage. It is made from clear acrylic and spins so you can grab a color without reaching around.
Capacity is smaller than a seven-tier rack, but the round footprint fits in a corner of a desk.
Best suited for: Crafters with a mid-sized paint collection who want bottles and brushes in one spot.
Key features:
- Holds up to 27 x 2 oz paint bottles
- 2 tiers, 8 sections
- Clear acrylic
- 360-degree rotation with brush holder
Pros:
- Compact and rotates
- Bottles and brushes together
- Clear material shows colors
Cons / limitations:
- Limited bottle capacity
- Brush storage is secondary
- Acrylic scratches over time
Buying consideration: Good for a starter collection; larger collections will outgrow it quickly.
6. PROSCALE Tool and Brush Organizer — Best wall-mount option for hobby painters
Built for miniature and model painters, this engineered wood organizer works on a table or mounted on the wall. Its multi-size holes accept brushes, cutters, files, tweezers and scissors, and vertical storage protects tips and edges from bumps.
It ships as a DIY kit. The listing recommends assembling it with wood glue for rigidity, and glue is not included. A finger cutout makes it easy to carry from shelf to table.
Best suited for: Miniature painters, model builders and crafters who mix brushes with hobby tools.
Key features:
- Table or wall mounting
- Multi-size holes for brushes and tools
- Finger handle cutout for carrying
- Engineered wood, paintable
Pros:
- Gets tools off the desk
- Holds non-brush tools well
- Portable between shelf and table
Cons / limitations:
- Assembly with your own glue
- Fewer brush slots than a 105-hole stand
- Unfinished wood
Buying consideration: Best when you need to organize knives, files and tweezers as well as brushes.
Holder, Rack or Drying Stand: Know the Difference
A brush holder stores clean, dry brushes upright so the bristles never touch anything. A paint rack stores bottles. A drying rack holds wet brushes horizontally or head-down so water drains away from the ferrule. These jobs overlap less than product listings suggest.
Standing a wet brush head-up in a holder lets water and thinned paint creep into the ferrule, where it softens glue and dries as a hard ring that splays the bristles. After washing, lay brushes flat on a towel until dry, then move them to the holder.
Holes sized to handles also matter for craft painters who use dotting tools, stylus tools and foam brushes. A range of six hole sizes covers most of these; three sizes is enough for a brush-only collection.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Paint Brush Holder
Count your brushes and tools
Count what you own and add a third for growth. Under 40 tools, a rotating 52-hole stand is fine. Over 60, a 105-hole stand or a wall board makes more sense.
Check hole sizes
Craft brushes range from slender liners to chunky flats and foam brushes. Look for at least three hole sizes, ideally five or six, and check the largest diameter against your thickest handle.
Desk space and mounting
Slim rectangular stands sit behind your work area. Rotating stands take a square footprint but reach everything. Wall-mount boards clear the desk entirely.
Material
Clear acrylic is easy to wipe and shows contents. MDF is cheap and paintable but must be sealed. Solid hardwood is heavier and stable. All can get paint on them, so choose one you can clean.
Assembly
Some holders arrive ready, others need glue. If you want something usable immediately, pick an assembled acrylic model.
Combined paint storage
If bottles are your main clutter, a tiered paint rack with an included brush holder may solve two problems at once.
Put Those Brushes to Work
Once your liners are organized, practice fine lines with our guide on using a liner brush for detail work.
Unsure which sizes you actually need? See what brush size to use for detailed acrylic work, and for dot mandalas and rock art, how to paint dots with a round brush.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Storing wet brushes head-up so water seeps into the ferrule
- Cramming several brushes into one hole and bending bristles
- Buying a holder with holes too small for chunky craft handles
- Leaving MDF unsealed near water cups
- Placing a holder where you knock it while painting
- Using a paint rack that does not fit your bottle size
FAQs
How should I store paint brushes?
Clean and dry them first, then store upright with bristles up in a holder, or flat in a case. Never store them resting on the bristles.
Can I put wet brushes in a brush holder?
It is better not to. Lay wet brushes flat or angled head-down to dry so water does not run into the ferrule.
How many holes do I need in a brush holder?
About one and a third times the number of brushes and tools you own, so you have room to grow and do not double up.
Is acrylic or wood better for a brush holder?
Acrylic is easier to clean and needs no assembly. Wood is sturdier and can be decorated but should be sealed against water.
Will a brush holder fit dotting tools and pens?
Most multi-hole holders accept dotting tools, pens and pencils, especially those with five or six hole sizes.
Can I store makeup or nail brushes in the same holder?
Many of these holders are sold for several uses, but keep art brushes separate from cosmetic tools for hygiene.
Final Recommendation
For most craft painters, the HESHUYU 105-Hole Clear Acrylic Holder offers the most capacity and the least hassle. The MDF version is the budget alternative if you are happy to glue and decorate it.
If bottle clutter is the bigger issue, the UpChoNice 7-Layer Rack or the smaller Flythww rotating organizer combine paint and brush storage. The rotating hardwood stand suits small desks, and the PROSCALE board is best for hobby painters who also need a home for blades and tweezers.
