20 Amazingly Clever Ways to Use Tension Rods Around the Home

The humble tension rod is a fantastic tool to use in your home for a number of reasons; or rather, a combination of a number of reasons: it’s cheap, it’s easy to find, it’s practical, it’s adjustable, it’s versatile, and it is so easy to install.

Oh, and with no drilling, there’s no risk of ruining any walls.

Whether you’re using it to help organize and store some of your stuff, or just to make things a little prettier around your beloved home, you’ll be amazed at just how handy these things really are!

You can buy tension rods from Amazon here.

Jump to:

• Cleaning Supply Storage
• Paper Towel Holder
• Ribbon Rack
• Bookshelf Shades
• Hanging Herb Garden
• Cabinet Organizer
• Shoe Storage
• Window Awning
• Faux Roman Shades
• Pantry/Drawer Dividers
• Spice Drawer Dividers
• Scarf Rack
• Filing System
• Small Kitchen Organizer
• Gift Wrap Storage
• Bedskirt
• Table Skirt
• Closet Organizer
• Kitty Litter Curtain
• Shower Organizer

Cleaning Supply Storage

All those spray bottles can take up a lot of space, and when you have no real order, a cupboard can get out of control very easily. A tension rod is perfect in this case since you can hang the bottles and free up that floor space for your other supplies.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – AThousandWords

Paper Towel Holder

If you want to clear up some counter space, then instead of a regular paper towel stand, you can just use one of these rods under the counter or in a cabinet.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – DIYInspired

Ribbon Rack

If your ribbons are getting a little too raucous then a tension rod may just be the absolute easiest way to store your stash. Organize your ribbons according to color and it’ll even turn into a colorful piece of décor!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – SewManyWays

Bookshelf Shades

Bookshelves are great for storing and displaying books and other items, but that function is also what can make them look a little cluttered sometimes. The solution? Simple little shades to hide the untidy compartments; you’ll just need the rods and some fabric.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – BetterHomesAndGardens

Hanging Herb Garden

If you want an indoor herb garden then  you need to makes sure that your plants get enough sunlight to live and thrive, so suspending them from a tension rod by your window is one of the smartest and easiest solutions. Plus, it’ll keep your pets from chomping on them, too.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – JillM

Cabinet Organizer

When you have a lot of jars and things stored in a cabinet, it can get a little tricky to see what you actually have hiding behind the front line. A simple installation of a tension rod can give you a higher level to store things and use up previously unused space.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – JoyfulHomemaking

Shoe Storage

When it comes to storing and organizing your shoes, you need to ensure that your solution keeps your beauties safe, and that it’s easy to see exactly what you have on offer.

Using a tension rod as shoe rack is brilliant because not only does it do just that, but it’s cheap, quick, and doesn’t require any drilling into the walls.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – ALoyalLove and Mrs.Kendall

Window Awning

If you want to give a room a bit of French flair then consider a window awning – it’s such a simple touch that makes a real impact.

And all you really need is to position two rods and hang a drop cloth over them to achieve the distinct style.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – MusingsFromAFrenchCopy

Faux Roman Shades

If you’re more inclined towards the Italians than the French, then perhaps you’d like these to recreate Roman shades with the help of three trusty tension rods.

Super easy to do, and so soothing to look at!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – SouthernInTheCity

Pantry/Drawer Dividers

The kitchen is often the most cluttered room, simply because we have so much to store in there! If you’re struggling to store and organize things like lids, trays, chopping boards and baking sheets, then a few cleverly placed rods can make the world of difference.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – MarthaStewart and BetterHomesAndGardens

Spice Drawer Dividers

Make your herb and spice jars easy to find (and free from rattling around in a drawer) by using tension rods as dividers.

This is a great alternative to digging around in the pantry or using up valuable counter space with a spice rack.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – DeJongDreamHouse

Scarf Rack

If you have a nice little corner spot like this in your room then you have the perfect positioning for a tension rod scarf rack.

This makes it so easy to see what you’re working with and to grab what you want in a hurry, and it even makes an interesting little accent wall too.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – ApartmentTherapy

Filing System

If your office space is getting a little out of control due to a lack of an organized filing system, then it’s definitely time to get straightened out. You don’t have to go out and buy a whole filing cabinet, though, you can actually just use two rods from which to hang your ordered files.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – TheHouseOnHillbrook

Small Kitchen Organizer

If you struggle with storage in a small kitchen space, then all you really need to do is bring in the ever-versatile tension rod.

Find a space under a shelf or cabinet so that you can hang dishtowels, brushes, and practically anything else in hanging containers.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – EngineerYourSpace

Gift Wrap Storage

Prevent your wrapping paper from getting ruined in between all the birthdays and crafting by making your own little nook to store your rolls vertically.

Not only will it keep them safe, but it will also make your area look much tidier.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – TheLovebugsBlog

Bedskirt

The space underneath your bed is a prime storage spot, but it looks rather unsightly when you’re able to see everything stashed under there.

The solution? A tension rod from which to hang some fabric to create the perfect hiding spot.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – SeagrassInteriors

Table Skirt

You can implement the same concept of the bedskirt for a desk or table, too. Whether you want to hide some stored items or keep those unsightly cables from your office desk out of the line of vision, a little skirt does the trick perfectly.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – BetterHomesAndGardens and HomeRemedies

Closet Organizer

A small closet really doesn’t have to be the end of the world; you can fit all your gorgeous apparel in there with the clever use of well-placed tension rods to ensure that you use up every inch of space.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – IHeartOrganizing and 320Sycamore

Kitty Litter Curtain

If you have an indoor cat then you’ll know all about the struggle with the unsightly box of kitty litter. A great way to get around this is to convert a cabinet into a kitty bathroom by removing the door panel and installing a little curtain to hide it all.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – ThisOldHouse

Shower Organizer

The addition of an extra tension rod in your shower or bath can make the world of difference. With the help of a few hooks and caddies, you can keep your products or kids toys right there where you need them.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – DawnNicoleDesigns and CleverlySimple