They remind me too much of public restrooms - it seems odd to me to have this in a residence. But the look of the piece itself is fine.

I just put the double paper holder/magazine rack from pottery barn in my bathroom. Yes, in a perfect bathroom it may not have been my top choice, but like you, I don't have other storage right next to the toilet, so it made sense for us. I would not change my decision.

I just looked it up and, honestly, I don't care for the look. But, I certainly see the practicality of it. How about putting a small shelf in there? Or one of those toilet paper roll stack thingies.

I have a cabinet above the toilet in the water closet here, and find it so convenient I added one to my new build.

Or, have a tiny cabinet built in between the studs in the wall. Basically like a medicine cabinet but down low by the toilet. It could also house cleaning supplies, etc.