10 Genius Ways to Use Bookends for Home Organization: From Bathrooms to Kitchens

Translation result.

That bookends — once confined to bookshelves — can be used throughout the home, from the bathroom and kitchen to the entryway, is a pro tip mostly known to experienced homemakers. At Daiso or neighborhood variety stores, a bookend costs about 1,000 KRW (approximately $0.75). Their usefulness, however, far exceeds that small price. If you need extra storage anywhere in the house, here are practical ways to put this inexpensive item to work.

How to keep bathroom towels from toppling

When you store towels upright, pulling one out often sends the rest tumbling. The solution is simple: slot bookends between towels, adjusting placement to their thickness or folding style. The bookends hold towels upright and keep them from falling onto a wet sink. The trick caught on among people after that neat, hotel-style look.

Turn a bookend into a wall-mounted hair-dryer holder

If your bathroom cabinet is too small for a hair dryer, repurpose a T-shaped bookend. Attach strong double-sided tape to its base, stick it to a wall near the outlet, and thread the dryer cord through the bookend’s holes to hang the dryer. It frees up cabinet space without buying a special holder. Because this relies on adhesive, check the wall surface and the expected weight before mounting.

Use them inside the fridge

When bags of produce or frozen items pile up, it’s hard to tell what you have. Slip a bookend into the space and store packages upright so you can see contents at a glance. This saves space and reduces the chance of overlooking expired items.

Useful tricks for the kitchen, too

Slide the long edge of a bookend into a corner or gap inside an upper or lower cabinet, then attach magnetic hooks to hang utensils. Hanging small tools on the cabinet wall frees up shelf space inside the cabinet.

Stacking skillets or pot lids can be noisy and scratch nonstick coatings. Set bookends at intervals inside a lower cabinet and stand pans or lids upright between them. It makes them easier to remove and helps protect their finishes.

Bags lose their shape if left lying around

Clutches, totes and leather bags that can’t stand on their own tend to fall over and lose their shape. Use bookends as dividers in a bag closet so each bag stays upright and separate. That helps preserve shape and makes it faster to grab one when you head out.