What to Hang: Jackets, bags, umbrellas, leashes, scarves. A tote bag on one peg makes a convenient catchall for winter gloves and hats.

Where to Mount: Maximize wall space and give kids easy access to their stuff by hanging two rows of peg racks, one above the other. Mount the top one about six feet off the floor and the lower one about 3 1/2 feet up, a height that protects young kids' heads from protruding pegs but still allows them to reach their things.

Mounting Tools: Pencil, tape measure, level, stud finder, drill, Phillips screwdriver, and two 2-inch-long No. 6 or No. 8 screws with anchors.

To Buy: Shaker Peg Racks, $9 for a four-peg, $14 for a six-peg, www.containerstore.com.

Paint It White

Make your rack blend in — or stand out, if you prefer — with a coat of paint. To get this look, first place the hook rack on a drop cloth. Using an angled brush, apply one coat of an interior-exterior primer with a stain blocker (such as Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer Sealer Stain-Killer, sold at hardware stores). Once it’s dry, brush on two coats of a flat-finish interior paint. Real Simple used Benjamin Moore Regal Matte Premium in Decorators White (www.benjaminmoore.com for store locations). For even faster application, use Kilz Odorless Aerosol Sealer-Primer ($4.50, 866-774-6371) and Krylon Interior-Exterior spray paint in white ($3 to $5, www.krylon.com for store locations). Spray painting is best done in warmer months — for ideal application and so you can work outdoors or in an open garage.