9 Genius Ways To Repurpose A Curtain Rod For Kitchen Storage

Whether you need to organize pantry snacks or tidy up cleaning supplies beneath the sink, don't underestimate the power of a curtain rod. These fixtures can breathe new life into a cluttered, disorganized kitchen. But before you outfit your kitchen with this unexpected organizational hero, there are some things you'll want to consider. First, note that rods — tension or wall-mounted — come in a variety of lengths. Before you buy several curtain rods for any of the following projects, take a quick moment to measure where you intend to place it. You'll save time by avoiding a purchase that doesn't end up fitting the space correctly.

Next, consider how much weight you want your curtain rod to support. Slim plastic types may only be able to handle a couple of pounds, while those that are larger in diameter, like the YNL Shower Curtain Rod, may be able to hold upwards of 30 pounds. A wall-mounted curtain rod, like the Byondeth Rod For Windows, will typically support even more weight than that. While a tension rod may be more affordable and easy to install than a wall-mounted rod, it may not always be right for the job. Keep all of this in mind as you read on to discover the myriad ways to put a curtain rod to work in the kitchen. And when you're done, see what these rods can do in other rooms of the house, like in this tension rod hack that creates extra storage beside your toilet.

For anyone who is tired of digging around in a drawer to find their trusty ladle or favorite spatula, a wall-mounted curtain rod can make a world of difference in the kitchen. Mount the rod above a long countertop in your kitchen, then add plenty of S hooks for hanging everything from tongs to measuring cups to pots and pans. This can also be a great way to display your mug collection. You could even use the rod to hang baskets for fruit and vegetable storage. The two-pack of MaraFansie Extra Large Wire Baskets for $23 on Amazon would be a great option.

In a kitchen drawer, a tension rod can keep cookware organized and easily accessible. Position a tension curtain rod (or two, or three) lengthwise to create support for narrow items like pot lids or cutting boards. This easy hack keeps these kitchen necessities upright and easy to sort through while in the midst of cooking. These rods could also be used to organize other kitchen items like tupperware lids or even plates and bowls. A pack of six Qinsou Cupboard Bars Tension Rods could transform your kitchen for only $12.

Use a tension rod to tame your fridge and cabinet chaos by creating a suspended display of your bagged snacks, spices, and more. Start by placing the rod wherever makes sense in your pantry or fridge, whether it's parallel to a shelf or extending across a walk-in pantry above eye level. From there, you'll need to grab a set of laundry hook clips that will simultaneously seal and hang bags of your favorite chips, cookies, crackers, sauce packets, and more. Find an affordable set like this 16-pack of MECHEER Boot Hangers Clips for $7 on Amazon or just use spare clothes hangers with clips from your closet.

A tension rod is one way to easily organize your spices so you can see all of your options. Instead of a jumble of jars on one shelf that makes it difficult to see what you're reaching for, just add a curtain tension rod toward the top of the cabinet, against the back wall. In doing so, you create an elevated ledge, perfect for resting a row of spice jars. This trick works especially well if you have an oval rod like the Graber Oval Spring Tension Rod option on Amazon for $8.50, which offers a flatter side to use for the ledge.

If you're someone who struggles to find what they're looking for in the dark depths of their under-sink cabinet, a tension rod can change the game. Simply position a curtain tension rod toward the front of your cabinet with a bit of space from the top. Then, hang any cleaning supplies by placing the spray nozzle directly on the rod itself. You can also use the rod to hold dish towels, hand towels, or other cleaning rags. Drape them directly on the rod, or add hooks like the Rivexy 10-pack of S Hooks for $6 on Amazon. This will create more space on the rod to hang other items.

Everyone who eats canned goods knows that sorting through stacks of them isn't ideal. Fortunately, two curtain tension rods can turn your can conundrum into an organized dream. This tip works best when you have adjustable shelves. Start by repositioning the back of your shelf a notch higher than the front. Then place one tension rod close to the back of the shelf and one at the front. Between the rods, load rows of cans on their side. Now as you take one can from the front, the whole row will roll forward, making it simple to grab the ones in the back.

This great trick maximizes your cabinet to its full potential by taking advantage of vertical space. All you need to do is use some curtain tension rods vertically to keep columns of packaged food, bottles, cans, and the like from tipping over. Depending on the depth of your cabinet, you may need to place more than one tension rod per column to support your stacked up pantry goods. You can also use this hack in other parts of the kitchen to organize things like paper towels and napkins.

To get your kitchen cabinets in order, place one tension rod toward the back and then place the other forward but slightly lower to create an angle between the two. The space between them will perfectly cradle storage baskets. These are ideal for holding lightweight items like dish sponges, cleaning rags, or even pantry staples and snacks. Customize the angle of the rods and the distance between them to fit bins you already have on hand, or purchase some affordable options, like these plastic woven baskets from Dollar Tree that cost just $1.25 a piece.

In small kitchens with minimal counter space, finding a place to store your paper towels may be challenging. If you don't want to mount a paper towel holder to any of your cabinets, consider using a curtain tension rod to hang them tucked away in your cabinet. You can also use a tension rod to hold your favorite cling film, aluminum foil, and parchment paper. You can even store your rolled up garbage and recycling bags. Create a neat display of all of your supplies, making them easy to see and access in the process.