Tension rods aren’t just for hanging curtains or clothes. It might be hard to believe, but a tension rod could also be your new favorite organization tool. A strategically placed rod can declutter a cabinet of cleaning supplies, keep jewelry from tangling or stop heels from becoming a jumbled mess on the closet floor.
Tension rods have spring-loaded ends that help them fit snuggly into almost any space, from a desk drawer to a kitchen cupboard. They come in a variety of sizes and do not require any hooks, nails or adhesive that can potentially damage walls or other surfaces. With a little imagination, you can deploy a tension rod to solve almost any organizational challenge. These ten clever ideas for tension rods will delight everyone, whether you’re an organization aficionado or new to the magic of tidying up.
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Organize under the sink
Under the sink is the go-to place for storing cleaning supplies, but bottles can quickly become cluttered and make it difficult to see what you’re grabbing. Put a tension rod between the walls of the cabinet and instantly organize supplies within easy reach. The trigger on a spray bottle acts as a hook to hang it from the rod, so the bottles stay lined up with their labels always visible.
Under the sink is the go-to place for storing cleaning supplies, but bottles can quickly become cluttered and make it difficult to see what you’re grabbing. Put a tension rod between the walls of the cabinet and instantly organize supplies within easy reach. The trigger on a spray bottle acts as a hook to hang it from the rod, so the bottles stay lined up with their labels always visible.
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Drawer organizer
A few tension rods can quickly bring peace to a messy, all-purpose drawer. Using tension rods instead of store-bought plastic organizers gives you the flexibility to switch things up as the drawer’s contents change. Plus, getting several differently-sized plastic trays to fit is a bit like playing a game of never-ending Tetris. Tension rods free up space while keeping all sizes of objects corralled.
A few tension rods can quickly bring peace to a messy, all-purpose drawer. Using tension rods instead of store-bought plastic organizers gives you the flexibility to switch things up as the drawer’s contents change. Plus, getting several differently-sized plastic trays to fit is a bit like playing a game of never-ending Tetris. Tension rods free up space while keeping all sizes of objects corralled.
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Jewelry organizer
The last thing you need while getting dressed is to fuss with tangled necklaces. This shabby chic jewelry organizer keeps necklaces tidy and turns them into a work of art. To make one for yourself, simply pickle the back of a wooden picture frame with white paint, then put a tension rod with some hooks between the sides. You have got a decorative display for your favorite jewels.
The last thing you need while getting dressed is to fuss with tangled necklaces. This shabby chic jewelry organizer keeps necklaces tidy and turns them into a work of art. To make one for yourself, simply pickle the back of a wooden picture frame with white paint, then put a tension rod with some hooks between the sides. You have got a decorative display for your favorite jewels.
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Organize your heels
Ready-made shoe organizers are great in theory, but heels still tend to fall over or not fit on small shelves. A tension rod quickly solves the problem and for a fraction of the price. When they are hung over a rod, heels remain right side up and are easier to spot than they would be in a cramped cubby.
Ready-made shoe organizers are great in theory, but heels still tend to fall over or not fit on small shelves. A tension rod quickly solves the problem and for a fraction of the price. When they are hung over a rod, heels remain right side up and are easier to spot than they would be in a cramped cubby.
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Extra kitchen storage
A roll of paper towels is essential for a clean kitchen, but they can be a bit of an eyesore when sitting on the countertop. Keep towels hidden but accessible with a tension rod inside a deep drawer. To get even more out of the drawer, consider adding a second rod to organize cleaning supplies like in idea #1. All your tools for tidying up are now in one convenient place.
A roll of paper towels is essential for a clean kitchen, but they can be a bit of an eyesore when sitting on the countertop. Keep towels hidden but accessible with a tension rod inside a deep drawer. To get even more out of the drawer, consider adding a second rod to organize cleaning supplies like in idea #1. All your tools for tidying up are now in one convenient place.
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Bathtub organizer
Shower caddies are nice for storing shower gel and other products, but the suction cups inevitably lose their suction and send bottles tumbling into the tub. A tension rod stays fast and makes use out of old caddies. Remove the suction cups and either use hooks or zip ties to secure the caddies to the rod.
Shower caddies are nice for storing shower gel and other products, but the suction cups inevitably lose their suction and send bottles tumbling into the tub. A tension rod stays fast and makes use out of old caddies. Remove the suction cups and either use hooks or zip ties to secure the caddies to the rod.
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Scarf rack
Usher in colder weather by adding a scarf to your usual outfit. A tension rod keeps a collection of scarfs lined up and easy to spot in a closet. Never forget to leave home again without that extra layer. As a bonus, the rod also prevents you from having to install half a dozen scarf hooks on the wall.
Usher in colder weather by adding a scarf to your usual outfit. A tension rod keeps a collection of scarfs lined up and easy to spot in a closet. Never forget to leave home again without that extra layer. As a bonus, the rod also prevents you from having to install half a dozen scarf hooks on the wall.
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Desk organizer
Restore order to your office or craft supplies by turning one desk drawer into two. One small tension rod can divide a drawer and gather together similar items. Keep pens and pencils on one side and needles and thread on the other. Consider moving the rod closer to one side of the drawer to make room for oddly-shaped objects.
Restore order to your office or craft supplies by turning one desk drawer into two. One small tension rod can divide a drawer and gather together similar items. Keep pens and pencils on one side and needles and thread on the other. Consider moving the rod closer to one side of the drawer to make room for oddly-shaped objects.
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Shower gel and face wash organizer
Tired of cluttered caddies full of small shower gel bottles? Add curtain clips to a tension rod and hang products anywhere you please. Unlike shower caddies, you don’t have to clean soap scum or residue off this clever organizer.
Tired of cluttered caddies full of small shower gel bottles? Add curtain clips to a tension rod and hang products anywhere you please. Unlike shower caddies, you don’t have to clean soap scum or residue off this clever organizer.
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Baby-proof cabinets
A safe household is vital with tiny tots around. Rather than install child locks on every drawer, slide a tension rod through the handles and tighten it in place. Whether a friend with a baby is coming over or it's your own family that’s growing, you will find that this solution locks cabinets in a snap.
A safe household is vital with tiny tots around. Rather than install child locks on every drawer, slide a tension rod through the handles and tighten it in place. Whether a friend with a baby is coming over or it's your own family that’s growing, you will find that this solution locks cabinets in a snap.
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