Hooks

A small but vital part of many homes, clothes hooks serve don’t only provide a handy place to store outerwear but, when chosen with care, can also add a touch of style to your interiors. It’s a good job, then, that we have so many different options to choose from in a myriad of finishes and designs.

The first and most obvious feature to take into account, the finish of your hooks can contribute significantly to your décor. They can also significantly detract from it if the time isn’t taken to match their material with other fixtures in your room.

As with most other furniture hardware, materials tend to be centred around metals. With chrome, steel, brass and copper all being common and popular. These are great choices for modern homes, but what about older cottages? For these we also have a wide selection of antique black designs, boasting ornate styling to suit other staples of classic homes.

Chrome vs Stainless Steel

Beyond their obvious visual differences, the different compositions make quite an impact on both maintenance needs and long-term durability. Chrome, whilst boasting a bright surface finish also shows smudges and fingerprints more easily. The same can be true for scratches and stains which also tend to be more difficult to clean.

Stainless steel, though a bit pricier, is equally more hardwearing and easier to clean. This makes it the material of choice for bathrooms, kitchens and other environments that call for superb resistance to corrosion damage. All that being said, a chrome finish has, by far, the most lustre and so makes a great addition to bedrooms and entryways, which are less at risk from corrosion damage and don’t typically need to be as strong.

From simple angled hooks to curved, industrial and antique, there are plenty of design options to choose from when picking out your hooks – for those really looking to make a splash, even stag head hooks are available. Depending on whether you are opting for a singular hook or a rack, you will also have to consider the backboard.  

White racks tend to be a better choice for contemporary homes and can blend in into white walls seamlessly if you are looking to retain a minimalist aesthetic. Beech and other wooden finishes can be equally as stylish, though suits the needs of more traditional or eclectic design styles.

We touched on this above, but where your hook is going to be fitted will determine what styles and materials you can choose from. The hooks you use to store pots and pans in the kitchen, for example, will be vastly different from the ones you screw onto the back of your bedroom door.

Corrosion-resistant finishes are a start, stainless steel, brushed nickel and other hardwearing materials to name just a few. However, their size and design will also need to be considered. Utility should take precedence in bathrooms and kitchens. That means it’s best to leave your decorative pieces for the hallway and instead opt for large, more durable pronged hooks.

As a general rule, your hooks should be installed high enough to be able to easily reach your hat, coat, jacket etc. but nowhere near low enough that they cause any accidental injury. Roughly 12 inches up from the chest of the adult using the hook should be more than suitable and will limit the risk of straining your lower back. 

Bear in mind, this will not be suitable if you are installing a hook for regular use by children. In these cases, it will need to be high enough for them to easily reach it without having to strain. This height will likely need to be adjusted with each growth spurt.