Nine Reasons Why Hooks Are an Organizers’s Best Friend

Over the years, I have just about perfected the contents of my professional organizer toolkit. There are certain staple items that really help us when we are working with clients. Post-It notes, a really great box cutter and tape in just about every shape and size are always at hand when I work with a client. 

But if I had to tell you ONE single item that I always have with me and that will most help you to get organized, the answer I will always give is this:

Hooks.

I know…it doesn’t sound that sexy. Bear with me here. At the risk of waxing overly poetic about hooks, I’ll keep it simple.

To explain my love of hooks, you first need to hear my philosophy about organizing in the real world. This does NOT mean organizing your home to look like a magazine spread or because your mother-in-law is coming over. It means organizing for the REAL people who actually like, live there. Because yeah – we live in our homes. We make messes. Kids play on the floor and get Legos everywhere. Real life is happening every day in our homes and it’s IMPOSSIBLE to be organized all of the time. Decluttering is really important if you want to be organized. But after that, you need tricks to stay organized.

So here’s where I circle back to hooks. The reason hooks are the absolute BEST for real people staying organized is because they help us stay organized enough. Sure, whatever is hanging on the hook is on full display. And yes, sometimes that means having “clutter” that is overtly visible (*gasp!*). The answer to that is: don’t hang anything on the hook that you don’t love and use every day.

Hooks are versatile, customizable, design friendly, kid friendly and easy to use. Need I say more?

Here are some of my favorite uses for hooks. Happy organizing!

Hooks are great to display your favorite and most loved mugs. Hang the ones you actually use – not just the fancy ones. And if you don’t like or care about the ones you actually use, than donate them.

 

I cannot BEGIN to tell you how much easier it is to keep towels tidy with hooks rather than a bathroom bar. Unless you are a full on neatnick, NO ONE, especially kids and teenagers, is going to hang a towel up properly on a bar. You are much more likely to have family members hang up their robes and towels in the bathroom if you employ some sturdy hooks. If you have little ones, place one or two low down so that they can reach them too!

 

One quandary we come across when organizing closets is what to do with clothes that have been worn once and are not dirty, but you don’t really want to hang back up again. Hooks are the answer, people! Place one or two attractive hooks in the closet or bedroom for easy access those items.

 

Hooks are great for younger kid’s backpacks, gear, helmets and coats. This pegboard is hung in a garage so that as soon as kids get out of the car, they have a place to hang those items before even bringing them in the house.

 

If you live in a small apartment and don’t have bike storage, this is a great way to keep your bike out of the way and still accessible. Hang the hooks near enough to the floor to lift up, and high enough so that you’re not bumping into it!

 

This genius placed hooks in the top of a cubby, creating hanging space for handbags. Mind = blown.

 

Command hooks are wonderful for lighter items like necklaces, earrings and hats. Another great use for command hooks is to hang lighter office items. This cascading paper organizer from Smead makes a great vertical QuickSort station. You can read our product review here.

 

People often forget that hooks can be used to hang other items that we love and cherish, but don’t quite know how to display. Your home decor doesn’t always have to be framed art! If you love it and don’t want to part with it, consider putting that item on display so that you can look at it every day. I love how this person used a hook to display their paint palette.

 

Hooks are also great in an entry way or on the wall for coats and hats. Get creative with it!