5 Out-of-the-ordinary Ideas for Using Home Hardware

Many types of home hardware have uses outside of the standard, you just need to think outside the box! Being innovative is a great way to change things up and help make your home look a little more interesting, or to save some money.

Here are a few different ways to use home hardware that you might not have thought of.

Hooks...

… To Hang a Curtain

Get a piece of scrap wood, or a new piece of wood and paint it or stain it to the color you want. Use scrap wood that has faded paint would be good if you like the “shabby chic” look in your home. This piece of wood needs to be long enough to span the top of a window, and only needs to be a few inches wide, and about an inch thick.

Install single hooks about 3 or 4 inches apart across the board, or at least so that they are distanced from each other evenly. Get a curtain with loops at the top, and hang them on each hook, with the edges of the curtains meeting in the middle, so you can pull them apart to let the sun in during the day. You can also do this for a shower curtain, or wherever you want to hang a curtain!

… To Re-organize a closet

Take the rods out of your closet, and install hook racks along the inside walls. Install some up high, as well as some lower, so children can reach to hang their coats. This is a much more convenient way to hang coats in a closet.

House Address Numbers...

… On a Planter

Get a box planter that is big and noticeable, and one that will match the outside of your home. It should be up high (like on a porch railing, or even attached to the front of the house), or at least clearly visible from the road, with a flat front so you can easily install the numbers. Add plants, just not ones that will hang in front of the numbers.

… On a Monogram

Cut out or purchase a large capital letter of your family's last initial. Depending on the shape of the letter, arrange the house numbers so they read evenly spaced, from left to right (straight or diagonally), or top to bottom.

… On a Shutter

Get an old window shutter, or a new one in the color you want. Install your house numbers onto the shutter. You can get extra creative and decorate the shutter in different ways.