Rental Remedies, Small-Space Solution

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.

Closet Storage

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.

Shower Caddy Solution

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.

Cable Corraling solution

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

Cable Storage Solution

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:

Jewelry Storage DIY

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.

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10 Comments

  • Reply Robin at 12:08 pm

    I wish the people who lived in my sublet before me had learned about Command hooks, because I spent 2 days and almost an entire can of spackle trying to cover the Swiss Cheese walls here.

  • Reply Erin @ SYL: Slipcover Your Life at 1:24 pm

    Darn it! Why am I not hooked Command Hooks? I nail away, and then spackle away…

    • Reply Borrowed Abode at 1:50 pm

      When I saw the velcro frame mounters I wished they’d made them sooner! They do cost a bit, but they can move with you to each new home!

  • Reply Erin at 4:20 pm

    Hi! I’m a new reader–got a hold of your site from Nicole your neighbor! Love the workup you did for her living room! This post was SO timely for me—I’ve been fighting to find something to hang up in my new bathroom here in Germany–everything I have purchased so far has fallen off the wall…even the beloved OXO brand. I will order these up on Amazon and I should have a usable shower in a week or so! Yippe! Thank you!

  • Reply Borrowed Abode at 5:28 pm

    Hi Erin! I’m glad I could help! Make sure you get the bathroom-specific adhesive just to be safe.
    I had the same problem with things falling off my wall – even expensive solutions from the Container Store!

  • Reply Sabrina at 10:23 am

    I’m a HUGE fan of the Command products as well, but had NO IDEA about the computer cord products. I want that!! Thanks for sharing and visiting!

  • Reply Jeannine @ Small and Chic at 12:57 pm

    I was so sick when you mentioned these that I couldn’t go out and get them. Now I want them, badly!

  • Reply Helena - A Diary of Lovely at 7:52 pm

    oh wow thanks for letting me know!! I actually use them too inside the closet to hang my handbags and love it but was worried about the paint if removed but I see you used them too on the yellow wall so now im more confident!! Thanks
    Ill definitely be pining my “art” with these!! and thanks for the rhubarb recipe too, might have to give it a go! Have a great weekend!

  • Reply Fawn at 10:53 pm

    I too am hooked on Command Hooks. Not by my own choice, initially. My landlord insists on them and I have begrudgingly accepted them and learned to love them. I even used the strips on the back of some lightweight curtain rod brackets, so I was able to hang curtains with them.

  • Reply {Kitchen Storage} How to hide a dish rack | The Borrowed Abode at 7:19 pm

    […] I just added a little Command hook (you know I love them!) on the inside of the cabinet door to hold some fun rubber gloves.  I’m hoping that using […]

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