You probably didn’t know that tension rods have more potential than being installed for window treatments or shower curtains.
These simple bars are inexpensive and easy to install and are useful for organizing and decluttering home decor projects, whether in the laundry room or kitchen.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Tension Rod
Weight capacity: The type of tension rod you use will depend on what you want to hang. A heavy-duty rod is ideal for kitchen storage and clothing, while a lightweight one works best for curtains.
Rod size: Before you purchase the rod you want, first measure the space where you’ll install it, ensuring it can bear weight and is secure enough. There are a range of sizes to choose from, but most are adjustable.
Rod diameter: If you want better stability and to hold more weight, go for thicker tension rods.
Room and purpose: Consider the room where you want to use your tension rod. A stainless steel or rust-resistant rod is suitable for humid environments like bathrooms.
The design: There are different types of tension rods, from matte black and stainless steel to chrome and bronze. Purchase a tension rod that matches your home’s aesthetic, especially if it’s visible. If it’s hidden away in a closet or drawer, you can go for more budget-friendly options like plastic rods.
Today, we’ll share creative hacks you can use with tension rods for conventional home decor ideas.
Take a look!
1. Hang Your Coats
You don’t need to build a complete entryway closet for your outwear. A tension rod makes an excellent makeshift closet for hanging jackets and coats, keeping your space clutter-free and organized.
2. Create a Shoe Rack
I used to have a big problem with my always-cluttered entryway, with the tons of shoes creating a walking hazard in their wake. I had to upcycle an old bench and turn it into a shoe rack, and it was the best idea ever!
Install the tension rods horizontally, placing them far apart to hang heels on or close to store most shoes. Paint your bench a bright color and place it in the entryway, where it doubles up as a spot to sit when putting on or taking off shoes.
3. Declutter Your Kitchen Drawers
I saw this hack on TikTok as an alternative to drawer dividers. Tension rods work exceptionally well in deep kitchen drawers. Create rows for your plastic containers to store your non-perishable items.
You can also install a tension rod under the sink to hang your spray cleaners and free up valuable space elsewhere.
4. Hang Your Backpacks
Use that free tension rod in your closet to hang things other than clothing. With some simple hooks, you can hang your purses, backpacks, and other accessories on your closet tension rod.
5. Dry Your Clothing
Perhaps you live in a small apartment and lack a traditional drying rack; a tension rod can help solve your woes for drying clothing.
Place the rod over a bathtub or use hooks to hang it from your laundry room’s ceiling to air-dry delicate clothing.
6. Maximize Space in a Small Kitchen
Limited space in small kitchens forces us to search for clever storage solutions for added organization. Tension rods are excellent for utilizing vertical space in the kitchen as storage.
Simply combine the tension rod with S-hooks to store frequently used kitchen items like utensils or small baskets. You can also mount one inside a pantry door to store aprons and measuring cups.
Extra Tips to Consider for Using Tension Rods
Pair with S-Hooks: You can hang small baskets from S-Hooks on tension rods for extra storage space.
Think about the end caps: Use non-slip rubber end caps if you want to install your tension rod on a slippery surface like tile; most rods have rubber end caps to prevent them from slipping.
Pair them for extra support: Install two rods close together to support your heavier items.
