An Old Wire Closet Shelf Will Be Your New Favorite Storage Hack For Bungee Cords

There are plenty of bungee cord hacks that can help you around the home and garden, but these cords have a frustrating way of disappearing around your house just when you need them most. You may see one tangled in a drawer, a couple buried under a pile of random cables, and the rest seem to have vanished completely. But what if an old wire closet shelf — the one that is either collecting dust in your garage or soon off to the trash — held the key to taming the chaos? Hanging the bungee cords on a wire shelf and mounting it on a wall makes for a simple and organized storage hack that keeps your bungee cords easily accessible and tangle-free.

The beauty of this storage solution lies in its simplicity and versatility. It's cost-effective as chances are you already have an old wire shelf lying around, or you can easily find one for cheap at a hardware store or garage sale if you don't. You can even repurpose a cooling rack for this hack. Another upside is how it saves space because it can be mounted to a wall, freeing up valuable floor or drawer space for other items. Its functional open design ensures easy access and keeps your bungee cords in great condition.

The wire closet shelf works so well because its design makes it easy to hook the bungee cords to the surface. You can mount the shelf to your garage wall or even to the side of a workbench using a few sturdy screws, positioning it so the flat side rests against the surface while the wire edge faces outward. You can install it horizontally for easy access to multiple cords or vertically if you're working with limited space. Once it's secure, hook your bungee cords onto the individual spaces.

You don't have to mount the shelf at all if you prefer a more flexible setup. Simply place it on a garage shelf or even lean it against a wall. This keeps your bungee cords within reach without committing to a permanent installation, making it easy to adjust your storage setup whenever necessary. 

The spacing between the wires is what really makes this solution shine. It works the same way if you use a pegboard for this. The gaps allow you to hang cords of all sizes — from the short, stubby ones to the extra-long heavy-duty versions — without needing to tweak the wire shelf because you can adjust where you want to insert the hooks. It's also great for keeping the cords untangled, which can save you a lot of frustration the next time you're rushing to tie something down. And because the cords are hanging vertically, grabbing the exact one you need without disrupting the others is much easier.

Taking this idea to the next level is also easy. Unfortunately, while the bare wire shelf is perfectly functional, it is not exactly the most stylish addition to your garage. But a little creativity can help you spruce it up. One way is to spray paint the shelf to match the color scheme of your space. You can look into using black, silver, or even a bold red to get a polished look. Just be sure to choose a durable and rust-resistant paint, especially if your garage is prone to moisture.

To stay extra organized while giving your setup a more professional touch, attach the shelf on a labeled backing. This only needs plywood or pegboard that is painted to match the shelf. Then proceed to label sections for different bungee cord lengths or types. For example, you can have sections for heavy-duty, mini cords, or even flat cords. This extra step also makes it look visually appealing!

You can also make this simple setup into a multi-functional storage station by simply adding small hooks underneath the wire shelf. These can hold other related tools or accessories -– repurposed carabiners, zip ties, or even small clamps -– that you usually use in a garage or workshop setting.