14 clever ways to use tension rods around the house

Everyone uses tension rods to hang their window valances and shower curtains, but they actually have greater potential than that. The tension rod's ability to squeeze into tight, tiny and often unused corners means it's your perfect tool to better organize your home.

The best part about a tension rod, though, is that it's moveable. If you use it to organize a drawer, then want to reorganize that drawer, no problem. And if you use it to make a fort with the kids, you can easily tear it down (despite their protests) and hang it back up tomorrow. So, check out our list of super easy tension rod DIY's to get started -- you'll really wish you'd read it sooner.

If you simply don't have enough room on the window sill, this is the perfect DIY for you. Take your tension rod and place it in the window to hang tiny potted plants from hooks. This is an ideal spot for a mini-herb garden or some colorful flowers to add some eye candy to the kitchen.

Never fumble around under the sink looking for a bottle of cleaner again. Use a tension rod to hang your spray bottles, rags and whatever else to free up space down below.

The days of dark, cluttered drawers will be long gone with the help of a tension rod. Use it to keep spice bottles, lids, water bottles, plates or other items in place. This is also great for those items that always seem to be sliding around when you open the drawer.

You already know tension rods work great in the bathroom, but now you can get a bit more creative than the shower curtain. Use a tension rod in a tiny corner to maximize the space and hang some jewelry. This works well in a bedroom too if you have the right spot for it.

Ladies, look at this! You'll never have to worry about a bottomless pile of unmatched heels again. Find a vacant spot in your bedroom or closet, spring a tension rod open and hang your shoes. It's easy, and it looks neat and tidy.

Use the tension rod as the base of a platter that stands between your countertop and your shelves or cabinets. We love how they painted this one a brass color for a bit of a chic upgrade. Plus, this won't ruin any of your countertops or cabinets.

Now, we adore how this is a great bathtime toy organizer for the kids. But realistically, you could also use this to store soaps, shampoos and everything else in the shower.

Transform your wrinkled scarf pile into the likes of a trendy boutique. Finding the right scarf has never been easier -- plus, they're so pretty, it kind of counts as wall art too.

Use a tension rod and little curtain hooks to hang reminders, to-do lists, mail or whatever else is important in your life. We admire the way they've spray painted the one here a handsome brassy color.

For all those pesky shower gels and face washes that take up way too much space, this is the ideal solution. Hang them off the edge of your tub so they're organized and so the liquid always falls to the bottom. Genius!

Instead of splurging on a gate, keep the toddlers and pets where you need them by springing up a few tension rods. The best part is probably the ease, as you won't have to deal with all the locks and mechanisms of a regular gate. That being said, you shouldn't use this by a stairway or with really little kids.

Turn a cozy corner into a reading nook, princess castle or fort with the help of some tension rods, curtains and a little imagination. It's easy to put up, and just as easy to take down.

With the help of a few tension rods, you no longer have to stack your cutting boards, cookie sheets or trays on top of one another. Keep them organized and easy to reach with this simple DIY.

Keep curious little ones out of your cabinet drawers with the help of a tension rod. All you need to do is secure one rubber edge to the bottom lip of your countertop and the other to the floor to keep those busy hands out. And remember, be sure to get one thin enough to squeeze through your fittings.