I Put This Bathroom Holder in My Kitchen Instead, and It Was So Smart

The kitchen is the busiest part of my home. Because of the layout of the house, you pass through it to get almost everywhere else, which means it’s incredibly easy for things to unintentionally accumulate on the counters — mail, toys, half-finished cups of water. Then there are the items that live on the counters on purpose:  recently washed mugs, fruit, and everyday cooking tools. Before long, the whole space starts to look cluttered.

And the funny thing is, the opposite is also true: When the kitchen counters are clear, the entire house suddenly feels cleaner. Because of that, I’m always on the lookout for ways to keep things accessible without letting them take over every surface. So when I saw this article on Apartment Therapy about using a bathroom towel rack for kitchen storage, I had to try it.

I’ve always loved storage that keeps things visible but off the counter. For years, I’ve hung my pots and pans on a rack for exactly that reason: It gives everything a clearly defined spot while letting me see what’s available at a glance.

In an Instagram post, creator Arthty Ragupathy shows a bathroom towel rack can work in a similar way. Instead of letting everyday kitchen items pile up on the counter, the rack creates a simple vertical spot to hang them. With the help of a few S-hooks, you can suspend things like measuring cups, mugs, or even produce — keeping them within reach without adding to countertop clutter.

The original version of the hack used a double towel bar mounted on the backsplash, but I decided to adapt it a little for my kitchen. Instead of attaching the bars to my beige linoleum backsplash, I installed two stainless-steel towel bars under my upper cabinets. My kitchen is a classic but not-updated space, and I thought the bars would work better tucked underneath the cabinets instead of being front and center.

I placed one rack near the stove where I usually make tea and another near the coffee maker where fruit tends to collect. After installing them, I slid a few S-hooks onto each bar so I could hang my most-used items.

Now I hang a kitchen towel, my most-used measuring cups, and a bunch of bananas on one rack, while the other has become a little tea station where my favorite mugs and tea ball are always within reach. The bars sit far enough under the cabinets that they don’t interfere with prep space, and the counters instantly feel clearer and more organized. It’s a simple change, but it makes the kitchen feel much tidier.

The biggest benefit wasn’t even the storage itself — it was being able to keep everyday items visible without letting them take over the counter. I’m already thinking about adding another towel bar near the sink next — maybe with a small basket for things like sippy cup parts that are always drying nearby but never seem to have a proper home.