WILLIAM CASTANEDA

Organizing your home is a priority for most of us. Neatness is the key to remaining sane. When we or our children come home, it’s important that they have a place to put their jackets, coats or scarves to prevent a pile being left somewhere in the house to be cleaned at a later time. When shopping for a coat hook, make sure it suits the area it is used in and designated as the place to hang all outerwear. Then the entry way will be kept neat and free of all discarded clothing.

Wall hooks can be very interesting and fun in cast iron, stainless steel, brushed steel, bamboo, brass, aluminum, zinc or plastic. These hooks can blend very well with your existing decor. They can be single or double hooks or wide plaques with multiple hooks that are generally called coat racks . The plaque may be ornate and decorated with carving or words or simply a plain piece of metal or wood. They could even be an expanding peg rack made of wood or an over the door hanging rack with hooks attached.

Most coat hooks are attached with screws and toggle bolts for security. Some are hung over the door and others are stick-on like many of the plastic bathroom wall hooks. Whatever the manner of attaching the hook to the wall, they all have the same purpose - to hold a garment you are removing.

Wall hooks can also be used to hold household items or sports equipment. They can be used in the workroom for holding tools and various equipment needed to perform a multitude of tasks. When shopping for the right coat hook. If you're dealing with a very small number of people, one to two hooks are OK. But, if it’s a family of four, a coat rack is needed.

Determining exactly where to put your peg rack may be an issue. Which wall in the entry way or mud room or what area in the workroom would be the easiest to reach or the most convenient? Just remember, place the hooks according to the height of the user and place it where they are prone to go. If the hallway leads to another room they are likely to gravitate, like the family room, place the hook on the way to the family room; so as their walking through the room, the place to hang coats is visible and conveniently placed. The most important thing to keep in mind is that wall hooks are functional and they should be easily accessed and convenient to use.