Rental Remedy: Hooked on Command

When Jeannine over at Small and Chic in C-ville was waging war on the electronics cords in her living room, I popped in to suggest my favorite problem solver – Command adhesive hooks.  That’s when I realized I was hooked on ’em, no pun intended.

Organization at the Borrowed Abode wouldn’t be the same without the family of Command adhesive doodads.  They get used for everything around here,  not just hanging dustpans and Swiffer wands at arm’s reach.  These little guys come in handy in every nook and cranny of the abode.

I’ve been using the standard hooks for years.   As a renter, I like that they adhere sturdily to almost any smooth surface, and come off cleanly upon move-out.  (Or upon each reorganization project.)  I especially like to use them inside closets and on closet doors, like in my bedroom – where they keep my workout clothes and pj’s handy.

In my last two bathrooms the hooks rescued me when other, more conventional, shower storage options failed miserably.  Those wire bath caddies that hang over the shower head?  Yeah, they’ve never worked with my shower heads.  Command makes special adhesive strips for the bathroom – I guess they hold up better in the humid environment.  I smacked two of those suckers on the wall, and voila – my caddy has hung out in my shower for two years now.

But the best thing these hooks have done for me lately?  They’ve wrangled cords that would otherwise look ugly behind furniture.   Here’s an example:

My computer’s unruly power cord was outta control behind my desk until I whipped up this little storage system out of Command hooks and cord clips. One little doodad (the top right) does double duty as a hook and a cord tie.  That was perfect for containing my power cord.  I used two types of cord clips, which (you guessed it) are made for running cords along the backs of furniture or walls.  Believe me, the advertising is right on the button.  These guys do what they’re supposed to, and do it well.

Here’s the overall solution that hangs out behind my desk.

It seems the peeps over at 3M have been busy, adding even more kids to the Command Adhesive family.  Upon my last trip to Tar-jay, I spied velcro thingies that claim to hold pictures and art on the wall.  I wouldn’t mind trying a few of those at the next Borrowed Abode.  It would mean no more straightening art on the walls – the velcro would keep it right in place.  I could have used that when I needed to keep my jewelry display boxes secure against the wall.  Instead, I used the regular adhesive strips:

So there you have it – just a few of my many uses for Command adhesive hooks around the Abode.  If I’d put up even half as many nails as I’ve used hooks, my apartments would have been riddled with more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese. Luckily for my landlords, not to mention my security deposits, I’m hooked on Command.

As for Jeannine?  She whipped up an even more frugal and creative solution for her crazy cords – but you’ll have to visit her to find out what it was.

Savings Tip: Score $2 in coupons at the Command website and let me know what you think of them.