Use A Tension Rod To Tame Your Fridge And Cabinet Chaos

Tension rods can help simplify organization in nearly any space in your home, such as creating extra storage space near your toilet. Adjusted to the perfect length, they can fit inside nooks and crannies to give you an ideal way to organize the area. If you haven't embraced the wonder of the tension rod inside your kitchen, it's time to start. You can use a tension rod and a pair of clips to tame the chaos in the two major storage spots of your kitchen: the fridge and the cabinet.

Having things accessible and visible in our kitchens is often a wish of many a homeowner, especially if you're a renter or have awkward dimensions within your space. Using a tension rod along with a clip or hook addresses both concerns, as it helps you claim otherwise wasted space and makes items easier to see. Tension rods come in a variety of strength and weight limits, as well as material, but most can hold between 4 and 7 pounds, perfect for lightweight kitchen items. But make sure you check the weight capacity and be sure you test your rod with a few items before placing everything on it to ensure it can hold the weight of your utensils and anything else you want it to store. Here's how to put a tension rod to work and make the most of a small kitchen. 

A tidy fridge can make it easier to see and quickly retrieve ingredients. Using a tension rod in your fridge door improves access for small items so they're not lost in the abyss. First, measure the door interior. According to Maytag, refrigerators typically measure 24 to 40 inches wide. Chances are, your fridge will be within these parameters, but it's always best to measure. For narrow fridge doors, using the AIZESI 23 to 48 inch curtain rod ($12.99 on Amazon) could work.

Once secure, you can attach various clips to the rod. You might use small binder clips attached with a zip tie or hooks with clamps, such as Whitmor Hanging Super Hold Clips on Amazon for $8.76. Use the rod and clip to hang takeaway condiment satchels, spice tubes, string cheese, and even juice packs. If you're an avid coffee drinker, hang a small mesh bag to corral those little creamer cups you may get on your travels. This tension rod trick isn't just for the fridge, you can use it in the freezer to suspend bags of bagels, and those packets of peas that always seem to spill. Here, steel tension rods (like this Amazon Basics one for $16.99) might be the best choice, as plastic can crack in very cold temperatures. 

Even if you have the most organized kitchen cabinet, you might have wasted vertical space. Transform the cabinet capacity with a tension rod and a set of clips. Measure from each side of the cabinet, and pick a tension rod that can fit snugly within the space. A good option may be the 3 Pack Tension Rods 18 to 28 Inch by vivinin on Amazon for $6.99. Secure the rod near the top of the cabinet or underneath an existing shelf, then add S-hooks to the rod. An S-hook is handy for hanging potholders, measuring cup sets, oven mitts, utensils, and other items to free up valuable countertop space in kitchens with a small footprint. Try the Evob set of 20 S-hooks on Amazon for $6.97.

In addition to the various kitchen items you can use a tension rod for, consider clipping small packets such as taco seasoning, pudding mix, and other shelf-stable packages for easy access. Depending on your space needs, you might even consider this easy hack under your kitchen sink to hang up microfiber cloths, reusable bags, and dish scrubbers. Lastly, by installing two tension rods about half a foot apart in your cabinets, you can effectively create an extra "shelf," ideal for storing loose pot lids and light frying pans. You can even place baskets on the tension rods to stash smaller items like plastic containers.