Home
Fact-checked

At HomeQuestionsAnswered, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Are the Different Types of Wall Hooks?

Dan Cavallari
Dan Cavallari

Wall hooks come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and intended uses, from decorative to functional. The range of materials used to make the hooks is also quite wide; common materials include wood, metal, plastic, and combinations of all three. The way the wall hooks are secured to the wall will also vary according to the intended purpose, and while hooks designed for supporting a significant amount of weight will be secured with nails or screws, hooks meant for lighter duties can be secured with adhesives or thinner nails.

Picture hanging wall hooks are perhaps the smallest of all available styles of hooks. These are usually made from thin metal and are secured to the wall with a small nail or tack. They come in various sizes to accommodate picture frames and mirrors of different weights, and sometimes more than one hook will be necessary to secure the frame in place. These hooks are advantageous because they are inexpensive, easy to install, and do little damage to the wall itself, so when they are uninstalled, only a small nail hole remains. These wall hooks can be bought as a bundle at most office supply stores.

Man with a drill
Man with a drill

Plant hooks are usually fairly large and designed to hold a significant amount of weight. They can be hung from walls or from ceilings, and they can be made of wood, metal, or plastic. Pewter, wrought iron, and even steel hooks are quite common, as are wooden hooks made from a wide variety of woods that will vary in appearance. Plastic hooks are less commonly used as wall hooks for plants because thinner plastic hooks cannot often hold the weight of the plants, though some thicker plastic hooks can do the job.

Coat racks often feature several wall hooks mounted to a board or other type of backing. The entire unit is then mounted to the wall as one, and the hooks can be used to hold coats, hats, dog leashes, and other objects. They are often mounted near a home's entryway, and the number of hooks will vary according to the homeowner's specific needs. These types of wall hooks can also be hung in a bathroom for use in hanging towels, bathrobes, and so on. Individual hooks, made from aluminum or steel, are also often used in the bathroom individually, especially in bathrooms with limited room where a long row of hooks cannot be mounted.

Discussion Comments

Perdido

@StarJo - You can find a myriad of decorative wall hooks online. I ordered one that is very visually interesting, and it allows me to hang three coats up at once.

It is a metal wall hook with three adjustable prongs. Each prong is made of twisted silver metal and antiqued with black paint. At the end of each one is a blue-green translucent knob.

I like the fact that these are adjustable, because sometimes, I have a wet raincoat to hang up, and I don’t want it to touch my dry sweater. I can position the prongs far apart so that the water doesn’t transfer.

StarJo

My husband bought a wall hook set that is very practical. It is simply a narrow wooden board with eight metal hooks protruding from eight slits in the wood.

I understand why he bought it. The metal hooks can be pushed back into the board when we are not using them. This keeps us from hitting our heads on them or snagging something on them.

However, aesthetically, it is just so plain! Does anyone know of any decorative wall hooks that would look interesting, yet still allow us to hang up a few coats at once?

kylee07drg

I am accident prone, so I try to avoid using a hammer. That’s why I like plastic picture hanging wall hooks. They attach to the wall with a sticky backing, and they can support up to five pounds.

Since I frame all my artwork and pictures in mat board instead of heavy picture frames, these hooks work well for me. I don’t even own any art over 5 pounds, so I never have problems with stuff falling off the wall.

My friend has been using these hooks for years, and she says that sometimes during the winter, the dry air from the heater causes the sticky stuff to dry up and the hooks fall off. This hasn’t happened to me yet, so I’m hoping that maybe my house just isn’t as dry as hers.

shell4life

I wanted to hang my plants on the wall opposite from where most of the sunlight comes in through the window, so I got some wrought iron wall hooks. These are fancy looking and very sturdy.

They are actually swivel hooks. One big, curved piece hangs down from the wall, and a swiveling piece fits onto that. This is ideal for hanging plants, because the pot can push away from the wall, giving it more room.

These iron hooks have an outdoorsy look that I love. With my plants hanging from them, I kind of feel like I have brought some of the outdoors inside.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Man with a drill
      Man with a drill