Here's the appropriate place to tell you how strongly I feel about lav brush holders. I have the authority to lecture you on this as a) I was a cleaner and b) I am bossy.
Toilet brushes and their holders are the definition of a necessary evil. They're not the most glamorous or exciting of household items. Some would say they don't even want one, (there are situations where it's not you who needs the loo brush though). So since you have to have one, make it a) a good one and b) a good-looking one.
So opinionated on this am I, that a long time ago, not finding a toilet brush holder that wasn't either hideous or rubbish, we decided to make them ourselves. So apart from a couple of other select retailers, you can only get them from us.
Function first: these are heavy enough not to tip over, but not so heavy you can't be bothered to pick them up and clean them when necessary. They're made from enamelled steel (aka enamelware) which was the first material used to hold surgical instruments in operating theatres because it's so hygienic and easy to keep clean.
The shape: allows air to circulate around the brush head and handle which is pretty crucial. You know the kind of lav brush sets where the top of the bristle is in line with the top of the holder or enclosed somehow in its holder, (see pics) that's not a good idea. The brush can't dry out which will harbour bacteria and make the bristles soften. With ours, you don't have to stare at the brush head, but it's not creepily hidden either (when toilet brushes are concealed in something, it makes me scared to look inside, with these, it's saying, nothing to hide!).
The look: They look great in all kinds of bathrooms - modern, classic, minimal, maximal. They're not niche, or clever. Just understated and handsome. No one wants a toilet brush holder with attitude. Just sit there, be quiet and do your job (don't be childish).
The brush: As I say (far too often) "There's no such thing as a free lunch." If you don't want plastic, then the choice is natural fibre and wood. Neither of these particularly like getting wet for prolonged periods of time. Some say these brushes drop a bit (so what? As long as it's not all in one go). Mine doesn't, but then here's what you do. When you've cleaned the loo, flush the loo with the brush submerged to rinse it. Tap the brush on the edge of the bowl to get as much water off it as you can, before you put it back in the holder. Give it a chance! And for goodness' sake, don't leave liquids or 'cleaners' in the holder in the mistaken belief that keeps the brush clean. It doesn't work, the brush will rot and you'll have a skanky mess in the holder. Keep it dry if you please. And finally on this, frankly, lav brushes should be retired every so often (when 'they've seen best' as my Dad used to say).We sell the brushes on their own, so just replace it.
Other options are, well, plastic brushes. White ones go yellow and stained-looking. Black ones just look, er, wrong. BUT we do sell a natural coloured plastic one if you should so desire. However, they are realtively expensive (because they are from a smaller factory) but very popular as the bristles are stronger than the natural fibre ones, but are a similar colour.