Metal hooks come in all shapes and sizes, and can be matched to any decor. Metal hooks make use of space on doors and walls to store items that need to be in sight and in reach. Small hooks can hold cups, mugs, keys or kitchen utensils at eye-level, eliminating counter clutter. Medium hooks keep towels off your bathroom floor. Larger hooks can hold pots and pans, coats and other outerwear. Oversized hooks keep bicycles and power tools off the garage floor. Does this Spark an idea?
Types
Oversized "J" hooks are used in basements. garages, workshops and storage sheds. Their larger total size and heavier gauge, between 1/4" to 3/4" in diameter, make them ideal for hanging bicycles, sports equipment and hand-held power tools on cement, brick or stone block walls. "J" hooks also can support large decorations for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or other holidays throughout the year.
Coat hooks keep outerwear from cluttering entryways, closets and mud rooms. Coat hooks often have an attached screw, and are usually made of cast metal in more ornate shapes than other hooks. Victorian-era homes often have an oak coat tree with cast metal hooks standing in a corner.
Cup hooks are small, often made of brass, and screw into walls and under cabinets. The hook portion is usually wider and more circular than other hooks, allowing you to easily hang and remove cups, mugs or small appliances (Reference 2). Cup hooks are also used to hang plants from ceilings, or to support toy nets. Cup hooks can support lanterns or kissing balls as well.
Ornament hooks are very thin metal wire. You can make improvised ornament hooks by bending a paper clip into an "S" shape, hooking one end through your ornament, and pinching that end closed. The other end gets wrapped around a branch of your tree and pinched slightly to prevent your ornament from being knocked off the branch.
Other metal hook shapes include "S" and "U." Pot racks usually include a number of "S" hooks. "U" hooks are often used to anchor objects such as large inflatable decorations to the ground.
Installation
Use a stud finder before you decide where to put your hooks, if you want to support anything heavier than matted artwork. Use screws instead of tacks or nails for pots and pans, kitchen utensils or crockery that will see frequent use. The constant pressure on the fastener when removing or replacing the item will work nails or tacks loose, damaging your wall or cabinet. Use wall anchors or molly bolts for pictures with heavy frames, large wall hangings or display shelves. If you drill through concrete to install your hook, use a masonry bit.
Aesthetics
Overkill is the one mistake most people make when hanging art or other wall decorations. A clutter of random photos, display shelves, shadow boxes, plaques and swags lacks balance and looks disorganized. Plan your display before you install your hooks. Mark the positions of the items you wish to hang. Have one or more helpers hold the items in place while you look at the arrangement. Adjust the position of each hook to maximize the visual impact without overpowering the room.
Expert Insight
According to Interior Design Inspirations.com, "Many homes today are decorated with beautiful furnishings and accessories. But if there is not enough contrast either in color or material, a home can feel dull and sometimes boring. An easy way to add contrast and interest is to put up a few wrought iron wall hooks. These decorative accessories are not just beautiful, but functional."
Tags: hooks keep, cast metal, Coat hooks, cups mugs, display shelves, hooks also, hooks hold
