In the great pantheon of home storage solutions, it’s easy to overlook the power of the humble wall hook. They may be small and simple compared with, say, fancy shoe racks or that rotating closet in Clueless. But to home organizing experts, they can do serious heavy lifting in the quest for a neater, tidier space.
“I love a wall hook!” exclaims Alexandra Gater, a popular YouTuber focused on design tips and tricks for renters and first-time homebuyers. “Hooks are great because they keep things off the ground, giving you back valuable floor space and making things feel less cluttered.”
For Gater, who is also the author of Own Your Space, a decorating book, part of the appeal is the visual versatility. “For a sleek, modern look, align matching hooks in a straight vertical line,” she says. “If you prefer a more eclectic, maximalist style, mix and match different hooks and arrange them in a dynamic, gallery wall-like layout.”
Ivanka Siolkowsky agrees that wall hooks have huge potential. “There are cute designs out there that look like art when they’re not in use,” she says.
Siolkowsky runs the Tidy Moose, a Toronto-based decluttering company. She is also the author of a children’s book called The Tidy Moose, which teaches home organization to young kids so their parents don’t have to constantly pick up after them.
The benefits of wall hooks include “easy access,” she says. “They are great for everyday items like coats, bags or keys. They are also customizable and versatile, available in different styles and sizes.”
To pick the right hook, Siolkowsky advises checking the weight rating to ensure it’s designed to hold the intended load. It’s also important to consider how the hook will be attached to the wall.
“Heavy-duty hooks for weightier objects might need to be screwed straight into a stud or be screwed with drywall anchors for support,” she says. “Some lightweight hooks may work with just an adhesive backing.” (That said, she warns that “in direct sunlight or humid areas, unless designed for it, some adhesives weaken over time.”)
She also suggests, “Use hooks that complement your space. If you have a Victorian-style home, choose Victorian-style hooks. If you have a modern home, choose hooks to match.”
Siolkowsky adds that there can be some downsides to hooks. “When not used properly,” she says, “they can actually do the opposite of making a space look organized.”
To maximize the benefits, Siolkowsky suggests spacing the hooks well apart. “If you put the hooks too close together, items will fall off and create more chaos than organization,” she says.
And never place them where they might be a hazard, she advises. “Don’t put them in spots where people might bump into them, such as behind doors that swing open or in tight hallways. Also, be careful not to place them where children will be tempted to hang off them. I’ve seen that happen, and it didn’t end well.”
Six buys to try
When shopping for hooks this spring, look for the right size and style to accommodate all your storage needs
The minimal, made-in-Canada Charlie hook does double duty. The top prong can hold a heavy coat, while the bottom is sized for a tote bag or purse strap. Charlie also comes in a wide array of finishes – including copper, nickel and steel (shown) – to fit into almost any room. $35, available through cassonhardware.com.
The Bent Wood wall hook is both sleek and rustic. Its understated J shape can carry coats and scarves. The material is moulded plywood, with an intriguing grain that adds a nice texture to entryways and mudrooms. Made in Quebec by Noir et Bois. $24, available through daleandcompany.ca.
In addition to designing residential hardware, Toronto’s Shayne Fox is a long-time production designer for film and TV (with three Emmy nominations to prove it). Fox’s wall hooks, such as the wall-plated SPUL, have a suitable dreamy quality, cast in a glinting, glitzing bronze – perfect for theatrical homes. $208, available through shaynefoxhardware.com.
Cynthia Gauthier, who runs Montreal’s Studio Maisonette, designed her Rabbit wall hooks, whose eyes are fashioned from wall fasteners, for her daughter’s room. The goal was to make her child smile and, just maybe, inspire her and other young ones to hang up their own clothes. $23, available through studiomaisonnette.ca.
The triple-pronged, Toronto-made Yoke wall hook was designed with school kids in mind. Made from highly durable, nearly indestructible materials such as cast aluminum and brass, each prong is meant to hold the load of a typical child’s items – a knapsack, a coat, a hat. $199, available through objectinterface.ca.
The HYT-001 Multi Hanger, designed and made in Winnipeg by Lixht, is carefully considered for tight spaces. The hooks are all conjoined for maximum efficiency but separated just so to allow multiple people to hang what they need, including outdoor gear, cameras or bags, without creating a pileup. $70, available through lixht.com.
