If your bathroom counter seems to collect stray hair ties no matter how often you tidy up, this little medicine cabinet trick is such a satisfying fix. I love projects like this because they take about five minutes, cost almost nothing, and make an everyday routine feel a lot more organized without adding another bulky bin or drawer insert.
I’m a big fan of anything that helps a busy morning run smoother, and this is exactly that kind of project. If you already keep a stash of elastic hair ties in the bathroom, clipping them onto a small carabiner inside the cabinet keeps them visible, easy to grab, and surprisingly neat-looking. It’s especially great for shared bathrooms, kids’ bathrooms, or anyone who is tired of fishing around in a drawer for one last good ponytail holder.
Materials
1 small rose gold carabiner, about 2 inches long
Instructions
1. Empty a small section inside your medicine cabinet door or interior wall so you have a clear spot for the organizer. Choose an area that lets the carabiner hang freely without bumping shelves or stored items.
2. Wipe the surface with the alcohol wipe, then dry it with the microfiber cloth. This quick prep helps the adhesive hook stay put in a humid bathroom.
3. Press one clear adhesive hook firmly inside the cabinet, placing it high enough that the hair ties can hang in a neat stack. If your cabinet door is thin or narrow, center the hook so the organizer looks intentional and balanced.
4. Let the hook set according to the package directions before adding weight. For most light-duty hooks, even a short wait makes a difference, and I usually use that time to gather and sort the hair ties by color.
5. Open the small carabiner and slide on the elastic hair ties one at a time. Pack on a generous amount so it looks full and useful, but stop before the ties are so tight that you have to wrestle one off every morning.
6. Clip the loaded carabiner onto the adhesive hook inside the cabinet. Turn it so the opening faces outward and the stack of ties hangs straight for the easiest grab-and-go access.
7. Test the setup by removing one hair tie and slipping it back on. If the carabiner swings too much, move nearby items slightly so the organizer has its own little zone.
8. Fill the surrounding cabinet area back in, keeping taller bottles and tools away from the hanging ties. The finished setup should look clean, colorful, and easy to maintain instead of crowded.
Variations & Tips
For larger collections: Use a slightly bigger carabiner, around 3 inches long, if you keep a lot of hair ties on hand. It gives you more room without changing the simple look of the organizer.
For shared bathrooms: Sort ties by color so each person has their own section on the carabiner. It’s a tiny change, but it makes the system much easier to keep tidy.
For cabinet-friendly placement: Before sticking the hook down, close the cabinet door once and visualize where bottles and skincare already sit. I’ve learned the hard way that even a cute organizer is annoying if it snags on the mouthwash every day.
For extra polish: Match the carabiner finish to your bathroom hardware, like rose gold, brass, matte black, or chrome. That little detail makes the setup look surprisingly custom.
For other hair accessories: This also works for soft scrunchies, spiral hair coils, or a few lightweight headbands. Just keep the load light so the adhesive hook holds well over time.
Humidity tip: If your bathroom gets steamy, give the adhesive hook a full cure time before hanging the carabiner. That one bit of patience usually means you only have to do this project once.