Noticed some hooks hanging from your ceiling? Wondering what these are used for? Let’s explain!
So, what are the hooks on the ceiling for? Well, most of the time, they are ‘swag hooks‘. These were hooks designed for holding pendant lamps in the 1970s, a design that didn’t stick around for too long. Nowadays, those hooks can be used for a multitude of different purposes.
Let’s go into a bit more depth on this. We are sure that you are not planning on hanging swag lamps up there, so let’s run you through a few of the other ways people use the ceiling hooks.
More About The Hooks On The Ceiling
In the 1970s, the concept of the ‘swag lamp’ was introduced. These were hanging lights. You had a cord running to the light (generally from the other side of the room), and the swag lamps would be hung onto the hook. They would then hang down. Many people would have a variety of hooks close together because you could really get creative with those swag lamps.
While swag lamps are still around (particularly in countries like Sweden), they aren’t really as widespread as they used to be. In fact, most homeowners probably haven’t heard of swag lamps, which is why it may be confusing to see these hooks dotted around your ceiling.
Nowadays, people use swag hooks for a variety of different purposes. For example, you can use them to tidy up wires for your lighting (very important if you have a certain type of light hanging from your ceiling), or you may want to hang some decorative ornaments from them. A lot of these swag hooks are used to hold hanging plants, for instance.
It is worth noting that, in some cases, you may have heavier-duty hooks hanging from the ceiling. These are not swag hooks. In the past, they have been used to hold large decorative lighting e.g. chandeliers. However, at the end of the day, it is still a hook hanging from your ceiling. You can choose to use it however you wish.
How Much Weight Can Hooks On The Ceiling Hold?
If you are planning on getting creative with those swag hooks, then you may be wondering what you can do with them. This means that you need to know how much weight they can hold.
Sadly, this is not an easy question for us to answer. If they are swag hooks, then they weren’t designed to hold that much weight. They were essentially designed to hold a lightweight chain and a bulb. They may have been able to cope with a lampshade too, but nothing too crazy.
Don’t get us wrong. Swag hooks that have been installed properly can hold a decent amount of weight. You can probably put a hanging basket up there or two. However, many of these swag hooks weren’t installed properly. They were designed for one purpose and one purpose only. This is to hold a very lightweight light.
Still, unless you are hanging something like a huge chandelier or decorative piece up there, then you should be fine. We do suggest that you give the swag hook a forceful tug to ensure that it is nice and firm in the ceiling. We are sure that your tug will be much heavier than anything that you plan on hanging on the swag hook.
Can You Remove The Hooks On The Ceiling?
Yes. If you really don’t want the hooks kicking around on your ceiling, then you can remove them with ease.
In most cases, it is simply a case of unscrewing the swag hook and pulling them out. There will be a plug behind the swag hook (something that holds the screw in place). You can pull this out with a pair of pliers.
Do bear in mind that you may be left with a rather unsightly hole in your ceiling, although it is likely to be far less noticeable than your swag hook ever was. Of course, you can fill this hole in. You will want to color and material to match your ceiling as much as possible.
In our opinion, you should probably leave the swag hooks in place. Most of them are going to be quite small. You may even be able to put them to work for you if you have a plan for a design in your room. As we said, any sort of hanging decoration can work well on a swag hook. In fact, you may even want to go a bit retro and get yourself some swag lights. They are simple to install, and there are plenty of modern options on the market right now.
Can You Buy New Swag Hooks For Your Ceiling?
Yes. Despite the swag lamp not being as popular as it was in the past, you are still able to purchase swag hooks for your ceiling. A lot of these are going to be much more decorative than they were in the past.
As we said before, a lot of people are actually picking up swag hooks, not for their intended purpose, but to give them more options when it comes to the decoration of their room.
You should, however, remember that it can be difficult to install swag hooks in your ceiling. You will need to ensure that you choose the right drill and drill bit for the job.
Final Thoughts
The hooks in your ceiling are likely swag hooks. They have been designed to hold a special type of lamp known as a swag lamp. However, even if you do not plan on having swag lamps in your home, it is still worth keeping those hooks in place. These hooks can be ideal if you want to have decorations hanging from your ceiling. For example, a lot of people have used them for hanging up hanging baskets, or even for a bit of cable management for other lamps they want to be installed.
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