Turn a Clothespin Into a Renter-Friendly Broom Wall-Hanger

Drilling fresh holes is a nuisance, tenancy agreements often insist on “no holes”, and clip-on holders can give up when the air is humid. Yet one clothespin fixed to a broom can turn everyday clutter into a calm, wall-mounted arrangement.

I first spotted the idea in a rented flat just off a busy Leeds road. The hallway was jammed with gloves and parcels, but a broom stood perfectly vertical against a white-painted wall. There was no pricey storage rack and no screws damaging the plaster. A wooden clothespin had simply been secured to the handle with two zip ties, gripping a small nail head like it belonged there.

The owner offered no explanation; she tapped the peg with a smile before returning to make tea. The broom was clear of the floor. Its bristles could rest. The hallway felt more open. “It looks almost like it was meant to be.”

It is so straightforward that it is easy to overlook.

The clothespin grip that makes a broom wall-hanger

Take a closer look at an old-fashioned wooden clothespin and its usefulness on a broom becomes clear. Its spring-loaded jaws have an ideal point for snapping over a little screw head, nail or narrow wall hook. Turn the peg at a right angle to the handle and it works as a miniature clasp, ready to catch the small projection on the wall.

This is about more than saving money; it is practical geometry you can feel. That firm little “click” as wood closes over metal provides a reassuring, everyday sense of success.

Mia created her version in a Manchester studio after a leak warped a cupboard and ruined her mop. She used zip ties to fasten a peg near the top of her broom, clipped it onto a picture hook and gained half a metre of floor space. The dustpan slipped beneath the raised bristles like a boat pulling into dock. The corner suddenly became a cleaning station: broom on the wall, gloves on the peg and a cloth held in the clip. Mia said the area no longer seemed to nag at her.

We have all experienced a pile in the hallway draining the calm from a morning. This small solution restores some of that peace. Its principle is uncomplicated: a hook point on the wall and a spring clip on the handle. Because the peg sits close against the handle, the broom’s weight stays nearer the wall than you might expect.

It solves two issues at once. Raising the bristles prevents them resting on the ground, helping them hold their shape and dry more quickly after cleaning a wet kitchen. The handle stays put too: no slipping and no clattering. For anyone who has watched plastic mop holders come unstuck in humidity, this low-tech peg can feel like a small but effective act of defiance.

There is a bonus use as well. The clothespin can hold a dustpan, cleaning cloth or even spare bin liners. One modest clip handles two roles, leaving less clutter in view.

Make this hanging broom hack in ten quiet minutes

The build is quick. Gather a wooden clothespin, two narrow zip ties or a small hose clamp, a rubber band or strip of tape for grip, plus a small wall nail or hook. Wind the rubber around the handle near its top to create friction. Set the peg with its jaws pointing sideways, like a tiny beak facing the wall.

Pass the zip ties through the body of the peg rather than its jaws, then pull them tightly around the handle. Cut away the excess ends. Open the jaws and let them “bite” onto the nail head or hook. You now have a subtle, renter-friendly hanger for under a fiver.

Where the handle is smooth aluminium, put a second layer of tape beneath the peg. For a thin wire wall hook, add a small piece of felt or a sliver of bicycle inner tube inside the peg jaws. This creates a soft, quiet grip that is unexpectedly pleasing to use.

A few details keep the arrangement working neatly. Avoid over-tightening hose clamps around wooden handles, as they can mark the grain and leave the peg unstable later. If the peg is positioned too low, the bristles may still touch the floor, so move it up a few centimetres until the broom hangs clear. Should the clip get soaked, allow it to dry: damp springs can lose their snap for a day.

Let’s be honest: nobody really does this every day. You adjust it once and then forget it is there, which is precisely the advantage. When using a Command hook, pause briefly before putting it under load; adhesive needs a little setting time to hold properly. Wiping the spring with a dry cloth removes grit and keeps the “click” sharp.

One final thoughtful touch is to give the dustpan a dedicated place. Slip the pan handle into the peg’s mouth beneath the hook, allowing the broom and pan to hang together. It looks tidy, and tidiness can transform how a corner feels.

When I asked readers what they thought, one response stayed with me.

“The peg solved my mess more than any fancy rack. Mine cost 60p. I clipped my rubber gloves there too, so they actually dry. Tiny change, calmer kitchen.” - Jess, London

• Keep these materials nearby: one peg, two zip ties, a wall hook and a rubber band.
• Ideal position: at eye level or slightly below, allowing you to unclip it without reaching.
• Quiet improvement: line the peg with felt for a soft, scratch-free grip.
• Less obvious benefit: bristles kept off the floor last longer and are less likely to curl.
• Budget note: it is a cost-under-£3 solution if you already have ties and a spare peg.

Beyond the peg: make one broom part of a whole wall of order

The clothespin-on-broom idea can be the starting point for more extensive organisation. Attach an old broom handle horizontally to two wall brackets, then fix a line of pegs along it to form a lightweight rail. Suspend the sweeping brush from one peg, dusters from another, a spray bottle by its trigger and even a roll of bin bags. The same spring that grips a nail can also hold the loop of a hand brush with ease.

You can use the concept in reverse as well. Leave the peg attached to the broom, but use it to clamp the little things that tend to disappear: a packet of spare vacuum bags, a silica gel sachet for the airing cupboard or a laminated quick-clean checklist. As the broom is lifted, those loose bits rise with it, and the floor appears to have more room to breathe.

There is a quiet change in mindset too. Once one tool has a proper home, it encourages the next to justify its own place. The peg may be tiny, but its effect is not. The next time you pass that corner, you may enjoy the small pleasure of a clean line where there was once wobbling clutter and a sigh. That could even alter the way your day begins.

Key point	Detail	Benefit for the reader
Clothespin-as-hook	Secure a peg to the handle with zip ties, then clip it to a nail or wall hook	Immediate wall storage without drilling or purchasing a rack
Dual-purpose clip	Use the peg to hold a dustpan, cloth or gloves	Fewer loose objects, quicker cleaning and a calmer corner
Upcycle a rail	Mount an old broom handle as a bar and add pegs as hooks	A flexible, expandable hanging system on a very small budget

FAQ

• Will a clothespin really hold a heavy broom? Yes, for most everyday brooms. The spring grip catches a nail head or small hook securely, while the weight stays close to the wall. For especially heavy commercial mops, use two pegs or a stronger hook.
• What if my handle is metal and slippery? Before attaching the peg, wrap the handle with a rubber band, heat-shrink tubing or cloth tape. This adds friction and stops the clip rotating.
• Can I do this with plastic pegs? Yes, although wood feels more pleasant and usually grips metal hooks more effectively. Plastic is suitable if you line the jaws with a little felt or rubber.
• Is it safe for painted walls? Choose a small hook or nail fixed into a stud, or use a good-quality adhesive hook. Ensure the bristles remain clear so they cannot mark the paint. Zero-drill arrangements are possible with strong adhesive hooks.
• How high should I hang the broom? Aim between shoulder and eye height. It should be high enough for the bristles to clear the floor, yet low enough to release in one smooth movement. Let’s be honest: nobody really does that every day if it is awkward.