This $6 Storage Hack Takes Up No Space in Your Closet (It’s Brilliant!)

I’ve lived in a triple dorm room that was intended to be a double, so I feel uniquely qualified to speak to just how tiny a dorm can be, with no extra storage space to speak of. Even now that I live in an apartment, my closet is not very spacious, and I’m always looking for any way to maximize the little space I have, like using a corkboard for jewelry storage or an over-the-door organizer for bulky sweatshirts.

Recently, I saw a TikTok featuring a hack for storing all of your belts that I immediately knew would be a great addition to my already-useful storage hacks, and it uses an item you might already have: a carabiner.

This TikTok video from user @ellafindsit shows how she uses a giant carabiner to thread all of her belt buckles onto, then hangs it upside down (with the narrower side resting on the rod) from her closet rod, so the clip is closest to the bottom. 

You can find these larger carabiners for pretty cheap on Amazon, like this one for $5.59, or you may already have some lying around your home. These carabiners are heavy-duty and stronger than most hangers; this one is designed to hold up to 110 pounds (but even so, be careful not to overload it and put extra stress on your closet rod). Plus, the clip keeps everything securely in place, unlike the hanger I currently use to awkwardly store my belts (and watch them fall off probably once a week). Not only does everything stay in one place, but the carabiner takes up such a small amount of space in your closet, making it a gorgeous non-bulky option for people with tiny (or shared!) closets.

One caveat to note is that some people in the comments of this TikTok point out that it can be a bit of a hassle to have to take out all the belts in the carabiner to get the one you want. One comment says, “Wait but if I want a belt in the middle, that seems really tedious to move all the other belts 😭.” It’s a good point, but sometimes a small inconvenience is worth a small-space storage hack that actually works! This carabiner belt storage tip can save you the space you need to fill your closet with the other clothing or accessories you use every day.