My Under-Sink Storage Was a Mess — Until I Discovered This Tension Rod Trick (It’s Brilliant!)

My favorite kind of organizing hack is one that creates storage space out of thin air. This not only means instant storage, but it also means that what’s already being stored in a particular place is less squished, more accessible, and maybe even nicer to look at. 

When I saw this reel from Arin Jura, it checked all these boxes. It shows two tension rods in the cabinet under the kitchen sink, the one in the back a bit higher than the one in the front. Small white storage bins are hung on the rods and sit at an angle. They’re perfect for holding kitchen supplies like dishwasher pods, sponges, Magic Erasers, etc. I was inspired, to say the least!

I got the links to the items in the reel, and here’s where things got tricky. The storage bins weren’t available on Amazon for several weeks — and I really was itching to try the hack as soon as possible. So I got creative. I looked around the house for any storage bins I had that had a lip. I finally found some: the plastic tubs they give you in the hospital that we still had from my mother’s stay last year. 

However, at some point I remembered seeing a similar hack that used tension rods to support the storage bins without having to actually hang the bins on the rods. I ended up having to do this because the plastic bins were too big to suspend. In all, it was a lesson in using what you have and adapting, and it totally worked. 

So, how did the storage hack turn out? It was great. Using bins and storage rods to make use of that dead storage space in the upper portion of the under-sink cabinet in the kitchen made this tricky area more useful than it’s ever been. I was able to get the box of dishwasher pods off the bottom of the cabinet and clear up that space. I also tossed our packages of dishwashing pods into the bin. Now, they’re much easier to get to. In addition, I could get rid of the boxes the pods came in. 

Even though I was only able to use one bin because of the space taken up by my garbage disposal and hot water heater that are in the under-sink cabinet, it still made a significant difference in the functionality of this notoriously difficult-to-organize space. 

The real way I know the storage hack is a winner, though? My teen daughter’s reaction. If you’re not familiar with 16-year-old girls, well, they’re a tough crowd to please. When she noticed the bin, she said, “Oh wow, Mom. This is cool.” That’s high praise, let me tell you! 

We’ve all noticed how much easier it’s been to grab our dishwasher pods. We’ve also been enjoying the freed-up space on the bottom surface of the cabinet. It’s so nice when there’s just a bit more breathing room that makes it easier to grab what you need when you need it. This storage trick has definitely made our daily lives a little bit more organized and, therefore, smoother.

This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: My Under-Sink Storage Was a Mess — Until I Discovered This Tension Rod Trick (It’s Brilliant!)