A Simple Tension Rod Can Make Extra Shelf Space In Your Cabinet

There's a reason the phrase "waste not, want not" remains a powerful message in the English language. It seems like even the most enviably organized storage spaces still could use more room. But open the first cabinet you can reach at home, and it's probably safe to assume that there's some wasted space hovering over its contents. Forget the drill, forget the hammer: Nab a couple of thin tension rods, and they'll join forces as a shelf. They're often sold in pairs, and a pair can set you back a mere $10 or less. Expand them to fit above an existing shelf or open space, and lightweight or awkwardly-shaped items can live here.

Not only will this hack help you utilize every inch of cabinet storage space, this high-line "shelf" can be a place for often-used items that you want easy access to. What's more, with no tools needed, this cheap and easy upgrade is a delightfully renter-friendly storage solution. 

It's hard not to peer at your cabinets' contents with a critical eye. They never seem to have enough shelves. This tension rod hack can help you prevent cabinet clutter. Avoid the annoyance of stacking containers on top of each other, or at least cut down on how much you need to do it. A duo of handy tension rods installed several inches beneath the shelf above instantly carve out space for tall containers to sit on their sides or for shorter boxes and jars that leave tons of dead air between their tops and the upper shelf. Take this trick a giant step further by topping two parallel rods with a board. Small objects and ones that rely on flat surfaces will have plenty of loft space.

Who says shelves have to be horizontal? Well, okay, most people do. But you can take the concept vertical to corral stackable items. Rig up tiny tension rods between shelves and a cabinet wall, and this spot can rein in stuff like paper towel rolls, bags of grains, or water bottles.