Decorating
Wall Hooks... The Answer to Everything
Dreaming of a perfectly organised home? Having the right hooks in all the right places makes it so much easier
Most of us dream of having a neatly organised home with everything in just the right place. But how do you make it happen? The answer is… hooks! Adding hooks throughout your home is an easy and often ingenious solution. Take a look at these clever ideas that can help you turn your home into a truly organised zone.
If you really want to make a statement, go for a bright shade such as the bold green in this New York entrance. The feature wall is perfectly co-ordinated with the hardwearing striped mat below. Colour has been used to turn an otherwise utilitarian zone into a dramatic entrance that sets the tone for a spectacular home.
Tip: Before you hang anything on a wall, make sure you choose the right hook. Some hooks are for lightweight items and can be drilled directly into plasterboard. For heavier items, it’s best to find a stud where you can securely anchor the wall hook. If no studs can be found, hollow wall anchors or toggles that expand may be able to be used. Wall plugs are essential when drilling into bathroom tiles, but this may be a job best left to the experts.
Tip: Before you hang anything on a wall, make sure you choose the right hook. Some hooks are for lightweight items and can be drilled directly into plasterboard. For heavier items, it’s best to find a stud where you can securely anchor the wall hook. If no studs can be found, hollow wall anchors or toggles that expand may be able to be used. Wall plugs are essential when drilling into bathroom tiles, but this may be a job best left to the experts.
All together now
If solid-colour feature walls aren’t your thing, take inspiration from this entryway wall where art, hats and umbrellas combine in perfect harmony. While there is a lot going on in this space, the result is striking.
If solid-colour feature walls aren’t your thing, take inspiration from this entryway wall where art, hats and umbrellas combine in perfect harmony. While there is a lot going on in this space, the result is striking.
Magic mudrooms
If you’re lucky enough to have the space, a mudroom makes the perfect entrance. This Californian home features separate cubbies with plenty of hooks for each child, and space for their featured artwork.
Mudrooms are specifically designed to keep mud out of the rest of the house, and are a perfect way to keep clutter out of the main living zone too.
How to create a ‘mudroom’
If you’re lucky enough to have the space, a mudroom makes the perfect entrance. This Californian home features separate cubbies with plenty of hooks for each child, and space for their featured artwork.
Mudrooms are specifically designed to keep mud out of the rest of the house, and are a perfect way to keep clutter out of the main living zone too.
How to create a ‘mudroom’
Clutter-free kitchen
While open shelving is aesthetically pleasing, it can be tricky to keep such an open area neat. Adding hooks means there is a place for everything and it’s easy to keep the space organised and attractive.
Every detail has been thought of in this kitchen, down to hooks for pot lids and flowers. A steel bar has been added across the space to allow for hooks to be easily added or removed. Simple S-hooks are used for pots, kitchen utensils, a chopping board and the all-important scrubbing brush. Accessories in lime green and the stunning open brick wall ensure the space is a real feature of the home.
For those items you don’t want on display, add hooks to the back of the cupboard doors under the sink. This is the perfect place to hang a dustpan or worn oven mitts.
Tip: Mounting shelving and hooks onto brick can be tricky. The traditional way of fixing to masonry is to use screws, but as it isn’t possible to screw directly into a brick wall, you need to drill a hole, and then provide a material that can be screwed into and hold the screw firmly in place. Plastic wall plugs or chemical anchor resins can be used.
While open shelving is aesthetically pleasing, it can be tricky to keep such an open area neat. Adding hooks means there is a place for everything and it’s easy to keep the space organised and attractive.
Every detail has been thought of in this kitchen, down to hooks for pot lids and flowers. A steel bar has been added across the space to allow for hooks to be easily added or removed. Simple S-hooks are used for pots, kitchen utensils, a chopping board and the all-important scrubbing brush. Accessories in lime green and the stunning open brick wall ensure the space is a real feature of the home.
For those items you don’t want on display, add hooks to the back of the cupboard doors under the sink. This is the perfect place to hang a dustpan or worn oven mitts.
Tip: Mounting shelving and hooks onto brick can be tricky. The traditional way of fixing to masonry is to use screws, but as it isn’t possible to screw directly into a brick wall, you need to drill a hole, and then provide a material that can be screwed into and hold the screw firmly in place. Plastic wall plugs or chemical anchor resins can be used.
Pegboard perfection
A pegboard in the kitchen makes sense on so many levels. Pegboards are affordable and easily to install, they have a modern, clean look, and you can organise everything in a jiffy.
Note: Did you know Julia Child, the mother of American cookery, was the first to bring the pegboard concept into the kitchen? She had so many pots and pans her husband designed a pegboard to keep them all organised. Her original blue-painted pegboard, complete with French copper pots, can now be seen in the National Museum of American History.
A pegboard in the kitchen makes sense on so many levels. Pegboards are affordable and easily to install, they have a modern, clean look, and you can organise everything in a jiffy.
Note: Did you know Julia Child, the mother of American cookery, was the first to bring the pegboard concept into the kitchen? She had so many pots and pans her husband designed a pegboard to keep them all organised. Her original blue-painted pegboard, complete with French copper pots, can now be seen in the National Museum of American History.
Dressed down
While hooks are helpful in the kitchen, it is in the bedroom that they really come into their own. Handbags, jewellery, even bras can be easily organised on hooks behind doors or in a walk-in wardrobe.
While hooks are helpful in the kitchen, it is in the bedroom that they really come into their own. Handbags, jewellery, even bras can be easily organised on hooks behind doors or in a walk-in wardrobe.
Star style
Make sure you are ready for the morning (or the next awards ceremony) by picking out your outfit the night before. A large rod has been added to this stunning Beverly Hills wardrobe for just this purpose, with the added benefit of using the chosen outfit as a kind of wall display. The glamorous space is part of a project by Burnham Design.
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Make sure you are ready for the morning (or the next awards ceremony) by picking out your outfit the night before. A large rod has been added to this stunning Beverly Hills wardrobe for just this purpose, with the added benefit of using the chosen outfit as a kind of wall display. The glamorous space is part of a project by Burnham Design.
See more of this house
Little dresses are no different
Displaying tomorrow’s dress is just as effective in little girls’ spaces – and with outfits this sweet, why wouldn’t you want them on show?
Read more storage stories
Displaying tomorrow’s dress is just as effective in little girls’ spaces – and with outfits this sweet, why wouldn’t you want them on show?
Read more storage stories
On and off
Removable plastic hooks are a versatile, affordable alternative to traditional hooks. They are especially useful for lightweight items and have myriad uses. Easily removed, they are perfect for temporarily stringing fairy lights, hanging a hairdryer behind a cupboard door or neatly organising loose cables. Keep spare keys easily accessible on hooks in the kitchen, or add extra hooks in the shower for loofahs and body gel.
Tip: Removable hooks are available in a range of styles and sizes, with jumbo varieties able to hold up to 3.4 kilograms. Try spray painting them to match your interior.
Removable plastic hooks are a versatile, affordable alternative to traditional hooks. They are especially useful for lightweight items and have myriad uses. Easily removed, they are perfect for temporarily stringing fairy lights, hanging a hairdryer behind a cupboard door or neatly organising loose cables. Keep spare keys easily accessible on hooks in the kitchen, or add extra hooks in the shower for loofahs and body gel.
Tip: Removable hooks are available in a range of styles and sizes, with jumbo varieties able to hold up to 3.4 kilograms. Try spray painting them to match your interior.
Out of the (jewellery) box
Who has the time to untangle necklaces that have been languishing at the bottom of a jewellery box? Hooks are perfect for necklaces – especially interesting hooks as seen here – plus you’re more likely to try something different if it’s hanging right in front of you, rather than hidden at the bottom of a dark box.
Who has the time to untangle necklaces that have been languishing at the bottom of a jewellery box? Hooks are perfect for necklaces – especially interesting hooks as seen here – plus you’re more likely to try something different if it’s hanging right in front of you, rather than hidden at the bottom of a dark box.
Up and down
Hanging hooks on the back of doors is a given (the more the merrier!) but it’s worth considering hanging more than one hook on each door. Consider the length of what you are intending to hang and determine how many hooks you can fit from there. This nursery door has three levels of hooks, with bags to organise Lego, blocks and soft toys.
Creative hanging storage ideas
Hanging hooks on the back of doors is a given (the more the merrier!) but it’s worth considering hanging more than one hook on each door. Consider the length of what you are intending to hang and determine how many hooks you can fit from there. This nursery door has three levels of hooks, with bags to organise Lego, blocks and soft toys.
Creative hanging storage ideas
Inside out
While hooks work wonders inside, don’t forget to add them outside too. This spa area benefits from plentiful towel hooks for all family members. A hook by the front door could also prove invaluable; it’s perfect for hanging those dripping school raincoats after the inevitable 3pm downpour.
While hooks work wonders inside, don’t forget to add them outside too. This spa area benefits from plentiful towel hooks for all family members. A hook by the front door could also prove invaluable; it’s perfect for hanging those dripping school raincoats after the inevitable 3pm downpour.
Make a statement
Although the concept of home organisation may seem dull, the execution need not be. Removable hooks are multi-purpose and traditional hooks are durable, but these bathroom hooks are true art. The only problem being that you probably wouldn’t want to cover them up by hanging anything on them.
Tell us
Do you have any ingenious uses for hooks in your home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
More
View stylish and sturdy hooks and hangers
Although the concept of home organisation may seem dull, the execution need not be. Removable hooks are multi-purpose and traditional hooks are durable, but these bathroom hooks are true art. The only problem being that you probably wouldn’t want to cover them up by hanging anything on them.
Tell us
Do you have any ingenious uses for hooks in your home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
More
View stylish and sturdy hooks and hangers
Installing hooks by the front door is an essential first step. Make the most of this space by hanging hooks at both a high and a low level – perfect for little ones and their schoolbags. Add interest by painting the area in a contrasting shade to the surrounding walls.