13 Brilliant Ways To Repurpose An Accordion Hook Rack In Your Home

Accordion racks can be some of the best solutions for hanging storage in any part of your house. These racks, which come in wood, plastic, and metal varieties, have typically been used as coat hooks and entryway organizers, where they hold everything from purses and totes to dog leashes and keys. However, some great alternative uses for those racks include organizing, displaying, and storing various hanging items indoors and outdoors — from serving as a chic jewelry holder to making an igneous trellis for climbing plants. 

Even better, these racks are often inexpensive and widely available, including brand-new versions that can be found at retailers like Target and Amazon for low prices. They are often on thrift store shelves for a steal. Many older versions in wood and other materials make a charming addition to your décor since they go very well with farmhouse and cottage-style decorating schemes. They are also expandable, making them a perfect fit wherever you put them.

Accordion hook racks can be a pretty way to hang curtains for a casual and rustic look. Use clip-on or grommeted circular hooks on the curtains and place them on the rack to hold up the panels. While this works best for curtains that will always be in the same position, you can also open or close them by arranging the hooks on the rack. This method looks particularly great in spaces with high ceilings but unusually low or small windows since the wood rack draws the eye up and makes the window seem larger.

Accordion racks can easily be repurposed into a memento or message board, perfect for hanging in a kitchen command center or home office space. Just use small clothespins, binder clips, or clip rings to suspend photos, postcards, ticket stubs, and more from the rack. You can intersperse the mementos with décor elements or add a square chalkboard or whiteboard between the rungs for writing notes and messages. Add some lights and greenery for a finished look. The pegs are also great for hanging keychains, old lanyards or passes, and other pieces of memorabilia.

The large pegs available on most accordion racks make perfect display or storage for hats, whether baseball caps or larger fedoras and cowboy hats. Adjust the width of the rack to accommodate their size. Hang it in a bedroom on the wall to keep hats organized and easy to grab. A wall of several hook racks placed end to end or stacked together vertically up the wall is a great way to decorate a kid's bedroom since it allows team favorite hats to always be in view instead of tucked away or stacked.

Use an accordion rack to show off your favorite mug or tea cup collection, add decorative interest, and make them easy to grab. Some smaller vintage accordion racks were initially designed to be used as mug racks in their day, with some being quite large in expanse and capacity. The grooved ends keep the cups from slipping off. Smaller racks fit very compactly in tight spaces like between the cupboards and counter. They also look stylish when hung above a utility cart or coffee station on the wall.

In addition to more functional roles, accordion hooks can often be quite lovely to look at, with a definite vintage charm. They often come in a variety of wood finishes that readily complement a farmhouse or cottage design scheme. Use them as a spot to hang signs or word art, wreaths, and decorative swags on the wall. Hang baskets, small planters, and lanterns together to create a cute assemblage of items. Then, add other elements, like greenery wound through the wood or twinkle lights, for some extra interest.

Throw blankets, whether light coverlets or fuzzy plush blankets, can make homes cozy and warm all year long. They often get left lying around haphazardly, leading to clutter. An easy way to store them without having to fold them up or put them away every time is to hang them on an accordion rack. This is especially great for houses with children, who can easily put away their blankets. It also makes them easy to find and keeps them from getting covered in dirt and pet hair. 

One of the most obvious places to repurpose an accordion rack is the closet or wardrobe. Use a rack as a place to hang slender accessories like belts or scarves. The hooks even make a great place to hang bras and tights. Add an accordion rack in your closet to store purses and tote bags where they can be easily seen and grabbed when needed. The adjustable size makes them perfect for the wall or inside the door of any closet. You can also hang them vertically to accommodate any narrow unused space in or around your closet.

Use one of these pretty racks to hang and display jewelry above your dresser or vanity. The hooks are perfect for holding necklaces, bracelets, hair accessories, and other shiny objects in a pretty way. It also helps you see everything you have. For smaller items that don't hang, use a hanging basket or small muslin bag to accommodate tiny items like rings and earrings. Leave the rack in its natural wood for a more rustic vibe, or paint the rack with gold paint for a more luxe look.

Repurpose an accordion rack as a storage and organization element in your garage. Use the hooks as the perfect cool, dry place to dry herbs or flowers after picking them or as something to keep gardening supplies like hand rakes, trowels, gloves, and clippers in one place where they are easy to grab. These racks are also great for stowing things like electrical cords, holiday lights, and hoses, which can be draped over the pegs to keep them from getting tangled up, lost, or damaged.

This great hack for the holiday season is perfect if you lack a mantle or ledge for hanging your stockings. Simply hang them on a pretty wood accordion rack on the wall. The hooks will make them easy to fill since they can usually accommodate the weight of whatever you are stuffing them with. Use a rustic wood rack or paint it white with a weathered effect. Pair the rack with other holiday décor above or below, such as rustic signs or holiday-themed artwork.

The kitchen is a great place to repurpose an accordion rack for all sorts of uses. The hooks are also perfect for hanging soft linens like dish towels, aprons, napkins, and potholders. Or use it to organize pots and pans or as a place to hold utensils and cutting boards. It also looks fun on a wall with mesh grocery bags full of potatoes, onions, garlic, and fruit, where you can easily keep track of your supply. It is also great for stashing things you don't want to lose, like phone chargers, leashes, and shopping totes.

Bathrooms are another great place to repurpose an accordion rack. Use it as a place to store and dry towels, robes, and other essentials. It also makes a great rack for storing hair tools like curling irons and dryers to keep them off the counter and keep the cords under control. Add pouches and hanging baskets to hold other bathroom supplies or hang brushes and sponges to easily dry. The rack can also serve as a pretty and functional toilet paper holder with extra rolls slipped on the pegs.

Another great way to repurpose an accordion rack is to use it as a DIY trellis indoors or outdoors for climbing or draping plants. Place it vertically above a hanging basket and wind the leaves through it. Use it on an exterior wall or fence to help guide vines up the wall or to keep delicate plant stems from breaking. These racks make a great trellis for narrow areas, like between windows or doors, and can be placed vertically or horizontally according to your space needs.