That item was a hook attached to the van's headrest.

The campervan the author rented for two weeks.




Monica Humphries/Business Insider



I rented a van, which had storage strategies built in to avoid clutter

I rented a Ram ProMaster van from Native Campervans, an RV rental company that operates out of Denver, Colorado; Las Vegas, Nevada; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Phoenix, Arizona.

After going through some paperwork at the Denver location, I was handed the keys to the van and started exploring the small space I'd call home for the next two weeks.

Beyond basics like a bed, sink, stove, and mini fridge, the van had plenty of storage. There were overhead cabinets to store food, and drawers for clothes, toiletries, and electronics.

There were also clever space-saving features. For example, a table tucked behind the driver's seat could be pulled out and used as a desk or dining table.

The hook in the Ram ProMaster van.




Monica Humphries/Business Insider

But my favorite feature was a plastic hook attached to the headrest of the passenger seat. (Similar hooks start at $4 on Amazon.)

I didn't think much of the small item at first. But over the course of my two weeks in the van, it became the most useful storage hack.

I used the hook to store a variety of things, and when I wasn't using it, it took up no space

During the first day in my van, I used the hook to hang up my jean jacket while I was driving.

At night, when I went to wash my face, I needed a place to store my towel for the next two weeks. As I looked around the van, I didn't want it inside a drawer where it could grow mold. I also didn't want to leave it on the counter or my bed, where it would add clutter so I placed it on the hook.

A towel hung from the hook on the headrest.




Monica Humphries/Business Insider

It had two prongs, so I could also store items like my crossbody bag when it wasn't being used.

A few times throughout the trip, I'd forget about the hook, throw my bag on the countertop of the van, and drive off. The bag and its belongings almost always ended up scattered across the floor.

While I failed to think about the items I'd want to hang during my trip, Native Campervans didn't.

My favorite storage hack is one I now plan to replicate in my own car

The small hook avoided clutter, and since it was perched on the driver seat's headrest, my towels and jackets could be tucked nearly out of sight.

I was surprised that a small piece of plastic could be so useful and become my new favorite storage solution. I liked it so much, it's something I plan on adding to my car regardless of whether I'm living in it or not.