a thousand words: Finding Storage Space Part 4

In today's post we'll look at vertical storage in a different way so you can begin to find more and more storage spots in your home as you think about your vertical surfaces differently.

Walls are filled with things like windows, doors, bookcases, fireplaces and furniture but there is still usually some wall space left and you can utilise it for storage. Shelves are the obvious storage solution for walls but there are plenty of other creative solutions.

Hooks can be added anywhere – either single hooks all on their own, individual hooks placed in a row, or pre-made rows of coat hooks or Shaker style pegs.

You can also buy a huge assortment of hooks which have a special adhesive tab at the back that can be released without marking your walls, making them perfect for those who are renting. They come in sizes from teeny tiny to large and rugged, can hold a myriad of weights, and finishes range from transparent plastic to brushed nickel.

Here's an example of using hooks creatively. Big coat hooks become storage for saucepans, pans and lids, freeing up precious cabinet space.

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Using hooks to organise coats is pretty obvious but don't forget to maximise your space there too by raising the top row of hooks as high as you can reach and installing a bottom row for kids' coats or handbags.

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Here the top row of hooks holds the smaller items like hats and the bottom row is for coats:

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This person has maximised storage space by installing hooks on the wall for coats and then adding a little wooden box above each hook, for hats, sunglasses etc. A photo on each box indicates whose box and hook is whose:

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Ironing boards can be hung on purpose made hooks which screw into the wall. Some hold just the ironing board:

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Some hold your iron as well:

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Some hold ironing products too, like spray starch or lavender water:

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They are also available in a version that hangs on the back of your door.

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Or simply use some hooks or Shaker pegs and make your own.

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Don't forget to think about where you're storing it, as covered earlier when we were talking about storing things logically. Could you install an ironing board hanger on the side of your wardrobe in your bedroom?

Speaking of making your own racks of hooks, why not get creative with your hooks. This row of hooks is made from old doorknobs.

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Or how about some old silver spoons:

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Or even vintage wooden hangers:

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These are old valve handles spray-painted funky colours:

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Pretty much anything that sticks out can act as a hook!

If you don't want to drill holes in your wall, why not add a couple of small picture hooks and hang a cooling rack (available at Ikea) from the hooks. Now all you need are some S-shaped butcher hooks to hang just about anything on the rack.

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Here I used a 99p coat hook rack, which took about 2 minutes to screw into the side of my wardrobe, for belt storage.

I used tiny little hooks on the sides of the cabinet in my ensuite (in our last home in England) to hang my necklaces, freeing up drawer space and keeping the necklaces from getting tangled.