Simple Rustic Wall Hooks

This instructable will teach you how to make simple, inexpensive, and good-looking wall hooks. I saw something like this in an article a long time ago, and I decided to make some for my sister’s homeless hats. Now they live in our closet as wall art. You could easily adapt this basic idea for larger or smaller items.

A stick
Saw (chop saw is best)
Pencil
Screws (that fit the anchor)
Drywall anchor
Knife (for debarking)

I used a cottonwood stick from near the house because I like the different colors in the bark. You could use a debarked birch stick if you want a lighter wood, or leave the bark on. Whatever you use, it should be in proportion to your project—small sticks for hats and keys, bigger ones for coats and heavy bags. Whatever size you use, make sure it will cover your drywall anchor. This won’t be an issue if you’re going right into a stud. Also, don’t use a gross or rotting one, it will be weaker (and gross).

Use a miter/chop saw, or a hand saw, to cut your hooks. Mine are about 3 inches long. Make sure you measure from either the end of the cut (method 1) or the actual end of the stick (method 2). If you aren’t consistent you will end up with a bunch of different lengths. Use an angle of about 50-odd degrees, or whatever you like. Using a chop saw will make consistency easier.

Put your hook-to-be in a vise with the cut straight up and level. Using a bit slightly smaller than your screw drill most of the way through the piece. Screw your screw into the wood. Be careful that it doesn’t go through the other side. Use a bolt cutter or hacksaw to chop off the head, making sure you cut to the threads so it will grip your wall.

If you will be hanging something light on your hook just putting an anchor in the drywall will be enough. But if you’re using if for heavy stuff, you should probably put it on a stud. If you’re doing the drywall route, install an anchor as usual, and then screw the cutoff screw into it. Be careful to keep the flat part parallel to the wall as you screw it on. If the screw starts coming out of the other side of the hook, stop, take it off, and get the screw farther in to the wall with a pair of pliers. Once it’s enough far in that it won’t be able to poke through the hook, put it back on.

If you want a more minimalist/modern look you could rip some 2x4s into square pegs and proceed as detailed. An entryway with all sizes of hooks in a decorative fashion could look really nice. Also, make one or two spares so in case you need to add or replace one they’ll all match.