Key storage
Key storage that keeps things organized and adds a touch of style to your entryway—coat hooks, small jars, and bowls.
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Keys have a tendency to go missing—on the dining table, in pockets, by the kitchen sink. A dedicated key storage solution by the door makes everyday life easier. At Dims Studio, you’ll find hooks, small bowls, and jars that both keep your keys organized and serve as decoration.
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A key cabinet on the wall can be practical, but at Dims Studio we solve key storage differently: with colourful hooks and knobs in brass and ceramic that let you hang your keys exactly where you walk out the door. A key hook works as a small, permanent landmark in the entryway, and because our hooks range from animal motifs to flowers and botanical shapes, key storage becomes part of the decor at the same time. Here you'll get an overview of types, materials, placement and good advice, so you can find the key holder that suits your entryway.
What is a key hook, and why choose it over a key cabinet?
A key hook is a small wall-mounted hook you screw up by the door, letting you hang your keys the moment you step inside. Where a closed key cabinet hides the keys behind a door, the hook is visible and instantly usable: you see straight away whether the keys are hanging there, and you don't need to open anything to find them. For many households, that's the key difference. A key hook also takes up far less space than a cabinet and can be mounted exactly where it makes the most sense, for example right next to the entrance door, above a console table, or on the inside of a cupboard.
At Dims Studio, it's mainly our hooks and knobs in brass from Doing Goods, supplemented by ceramic hooks from Caja Company, that are used for key storage. They're originally intended as coat hooks and knobs for cupboard doors, but work just as well as key hooks because they have a solid hook or projection that a keyring and keys can easily hang from. See the full range under hooks and knobs.
Types of key storage: hook, cabinet knob and wall mount
Our range for key storage splits into two main types, which look similar but work a little differently on the wall.
Hook
A hook is shaped to project from the wall with a clear hook or head you can hang something on. That makes the hook the most obvious solution for keys, because the keyring slides easily over it and stays put. Many of our hooks from Doing Goods come with motifs such as animals, flowers and botanical shapes, so the key hook also becomes a small eye-catcher in the entryway.
Cabinet knob
A cabinet knob is more compact and round, and was originally designed for drawers and cupboard doors. It typically has a shorter projection than the hook, but still works well for keys, especially if you only need one or two knobs for a smaller key collection. Cabinet knobs are a good choice if you want a calmer, more uniform look in a row, for example several matching knobs in the same motif.
Wall mount with several hooks
Some of our designs are intended as a single wall mount with room for several things at once, for example a set of several hooks. It's a solution worth considering if the whole family needs their own fixed place for keys, or if you also want to use the same spot for things other than keys, like an umbrella strap or a bag.
| Type | Projection | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hook | Clear hook or head | Everyday keyring, visible eye-catcher |
| Cabinet knob | Short and compact | Simple storage, calm row of matching knobs |
| Set of several hooks | Several hooks at once | Families and shared entryways |
Materials: brass and ceramic
The material helps determine how sturdy the key hook is and what impression it gives in the entryway.
Brass
The vast majority of our hooks and cabinet knobs for key storage are cast in brass, a solid metal alloy that withstands daily use, metal keys and frequent handling. Brass has a warm, golden colour that patinas beautifully over time, which makes the material ideal for a spot that gets touched every day. Most of our brass hooks from Doing Goods are shaped as animals, flowers or other nature motifs, cast with details that give them character even at a small size. See the full range of brass hooks.
Ceramic
From Caja Company you'll find a smaller range of key hooks cast in ceramic, shaped as lemon, grape and mushroom, among others. Ceramic is more fragile than brass and should therefore be mounted somewhere the hook won't be knocked hard or bear much weight, but in return it offers colourful glazed surfaces that brass can't provide. Ceramic hooks are a good choice if you want a playful touch, for example in the entryway to a child's room or a utility room.
| Material | Strength | Look | Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brass | Very sturdy, withstands daily use | Warm, golden, patinas over time | Wipe with a dry or slightly damp cloth |
| Ceramic | Must be mounted gently, holds less weight | Colourful, glazed, playful | Wipe carefully, avoid knocks |
Placement and mounting of key storage
Where and how high you mount the hooks makes a big difference to whether the key storage actually gets used day to day.
The right height
Most households mount key hooks at a height of around 130 to 150 cm, so an adult can reach the hook without bending or stretching. If the hooks are in a shared entryway used by both adults and children, it can make sense to add a lower row for the children's own things, while the most important keys hang higher up.
Right by the door or on a console table
The most effective placement is the one you pass every time you go out or come in, typically on the wall right next to the entrance door. If you have a console table in the entryway, you can instead mount a single hook on the wall above it, so the keys hang visibly while the rest of the surface stays free for other things. Find inspiration for the whole room under entrance hall decor.
Several hooks in a combined composition
If you need more than one hook, it often looks best to gather them in a loose, irregular row or a small cluster pattern rather than a strict line. Feel free to mix a few different motifs from the same brand, for example two or three of Doing Goods' animal hooks, so the key storage also functions as a small wall installation. If you're mounting several hooks at once, it's a good idea to measure the spacing between them beforehand, so the keys don't end up hanging too close together and tangling.
Fixing
Most of our hooks and cabinet knobs are mounted with screws directly into the wall. If you're renting or want to avoid holes, hardware stores sell screw-free mounting solutions that can hold a lightweight brass hook, but pay attention to the maximum load if the hook needs to carry a heavy keyring with several keys.
Motifs: animals, flowers and botanical shapes
Because the hooks for key storage hang visibly in the entryway, the motif matters at least as much as the function. Our range from Doing Goods spans widely.
Animal motifs
Animal hooks are one of the most popular categories and include giraffe, hare, elephant, tiger, crocodile, seahorse, starfish, shell and turtle, among others. They work well individually as a small eye-catcher, or paired up if you want a theme, for example sea animals or safari animals, in the entryway or child's room.
Flowers and botany
Flower hooks in various colours, from purple and pink to light blue, recur across several series from Doing Goods, often in named variants. Complemented by botanical motifs such as ginkgo leaf, palm and bamboo, they give a softer, more organic look than the animal motifs and fit well in a living room or entryway with plants.
Other shapes
Besides animals and flowers, you'll also find geometric and symbolic motifs such as star, heart, bow and four-leaf clover, along with a few more culinary motifs from Caja Company in ceramic, such as lemon, grape and mushroom. What they share is being small enough to function as a key hook, yet distinctive enough to stand out as a decorative element on the wall.
| Motif type | Examples | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Animals | Giraffe, hare, elephant, tiger, seahorse, turtle | Child's room, playful entryway |
| Flowers | Purple, pink and light blue flower hooks | Living room, entryway with plants |
| Botany | Ginkgo leaf, palm, bamboo | A calmer, organic look |
| Symbols and geometry | Star, heart, bow, four-leaf clover | A graphic, modern look |
| Ceramic motifs | Lemon, grape, mushroom | A colourful, playful touch |
The brands behind our key storage
Two brands account for most of the range you can use for key storage at Dims Studio.
Doing Goods
Doing Goods accounts for the majority of our hooks and cabinet knobs in brass. The brand is known for casting everyday objects into surprising, colourful shapes, and that goes for the hooks too, ranging from single animals and flowers to whole sets with several hooks in the same series, for example a set with dinosaurs or a set with stars. See the full range under Doing Goods hooks.
Caja Company
Caja Company contributes a smaller but characterful range of ceramic hooks shaped as fruit and mushrooms. They differ from the brass hooks by being handmade in ceramic with a glazed finish, giving a more unique and tactile expression to key storage.
How to choose the right key storage: decision guide
Still unsure which solution suits your entryway best? Use these recommendations as a starting point.
| Situation | Our recommendation |
|---|---|
| You need one fixed spot for everyday keys | A single brass hook from Doing Goods, mounted at 130-150 cm height by the door |
| The whole family needs their own key hook | A set of several hooks from Doing Goods, mounted in a loose, irregular row |
| The entryway should feel playful | An animal hook, for example giraffe, hare or seahorse |
| You prefer a calm, organic look | A botanical hook with ginkgo leaf, palm or bamboo |
| You want a colourful, unique touch | A ceramic hook from Caja Company, mounted gently without too much weight |
| Keys should be stored discreetly by a console table | A single, calm cabinet knob mounted on the wall right above the table |
Combine with the rest of the entryway
Key storage doesn't have to stand alone. Feel free to combine the hook with entrance hall decor, such as a console table, mirror and baskets, so the whole entryway ties together in style and colour. Hanging several hooks in the same colour or material gives a calm, cohesive look, while mixing motifs gives a more playful impression.
How to keep track of several keys
If the household uses several sets of keys, for example for the front door, bike lock, basement and car, it can help to spread them across more than one hook rather than gathering everything on one ring. One hook for the everyday keys by the entrance door, and another hook somewhere else, for example in the utility room, for spare keys or keys used less often. That makes it easier to find the right key straight away, and it also reduces the load on each individual hook, so a heavy bunch of keys doesn't pull the brass out of shape over time.
If you have children who need to learn to hang up their own keys, a low, clearly marked hook in a colourful motif can turn it into a habit rather than a battle. Choose a motif the child recognises, for example an animal, and use it as the child's fixed "own" spot, while the adults' keys hang on another hook higher up.
Frequently asked questions about key storage
Does Dims Studio sell key cabinets?
No, we don't carry closed key cabinets. Instead, we have a wide range of hooks and cabinet knobs in brass and ceramic that work as visible, easily accessible key storage, with the keys hanging freely on display on the wall.
Can a hook be used as a key holder?
Yes. Our hooks from Doing Goods and cabinet knobs are shaped with a hook or projection that a keyring can easily hang from, and many customers use them exactly as key hooks by the entrance door.
How high should you mount a key hook?
Most people mount key hooks at a height of around 130 to 150 cm, so an adult can reach it without bending. If children should also be able to use their own hook, an extra, lower row can be a good solution.
What's the difference between a hook and a cabinet knob?
A hook typically has a more pronounced projection or hook, making it easier to hang a keyring from, while a cabinet knob is more compact and was originally designed for drawers and cupboard doors. Both can be used for keys, but the hook is the most obvious choice if you have several keys on the same ring.
Can several hooks be mounted together?
Yes, many of our hooks from Doing Goods are sold in sets of several pieces, for example two or three hooks in the same motif. They can be mounted in a loose, irregular row so each family member gets their own fixed spot for their keys.
Are brass hooks durable for everyday use?
Yes, brass is a solid metal alloy that withstands the daily handling that metal keys bring, and it develops a beautiful patina over time. That makes brass the most durable material choice in our range for key storage.
Can ceramic hooks be used outdoors, for example in a carport?
Our ceramic hooks from Caja Company are intended for indoor use. For an outdoor entrance, carport or a utility room with more wear, we instead recommend one of the brass hooks, which better withstand everyday handling.
How do I clean a brass hook?
Wipe the hook with a dry or slightly damp cloth as needed. Avoid harsh cleaning products that can damage the surface, and feel free to let the brass patina naturally if you like the warm, lived-in look.
Can key storage also be used for things other than keys?
Yes. The hooks can just as well be used for a dog lead, a bag, an umbrella or a keyring with an access card. That makes them a flexible solution that fits many types of entryways and utility rooms.
Which motif suits an entryway with children best?
Animal motifs such as giraffe, hare, elephant and seahorse are often a hit with children and work well if the hook is also going to be used for the children's own things. If you want to keep a calmer look in the entryway, you can instead choose a botanical or geometric hook for the adults' keys.
Does a key hook make a good gift?
A single brass key hook is a small, personal gift that gets used every day. A set of several hooks is also an obvious gift for a housewarming, giving the whole family their own fixed spot for their keys.