Ironmongery
Guide to Ironmongery | The Reclaimed Company ®
Sep
The Ultimate Guide to Ironmongery (Reclaimed & New)
Ironmongery is the punctuation of a project—the handles, hooks, hinges, stays, brackets, backplates and legs that turn materials into living, working pieces of your home. Whether you’re building shelves from reclaimed boards, fitting out a boot room, or turning a timber slab into a dining table, this guide shows you exactly what to buy, how to size and fix it, and how to keep the finish you love. Every section links straight to The Reclaimed Company ® categories so you can go from idea to checkout in seconds.
What is Ironmongery?
Ironmongery is the collective term for hardware—metal components that make doors, windows, furniture and fixtures function. In reclaimed and rustic interiors, hardware is more than a fixing: it’s part of the story. A cast-iron bracket with a little texture, a brass hook rail that has mellowed over time, or a pair of hairpin legs under a slab table give the space weight and authenticity.
For most home projects, the core categories you’ll reach for are: shelf brackets, floating shelf brackets, coat hooks & rails, and table legs & frames. We’ve laid these out below with direct links to buy.
Ironmongery Parent & Child Categories (Quick Buy Links)
Parent: Ironmongery (All)
Explore everything in one place—ideal if you’re browsing for ideas or matching finishes across multiple rooms.
Child: Shelf & Bracket
From workhorse L-brackets to ornate penny-end and decorative cast-iron designs for kitchens, alcoves and utility rooms.
Child: Floating Shelf Bracket
Concealed supports for a minimal, modern look. Perfect when you want the timber to float without visible hardware.
Child: Coat Hook
Singles, doubles and hook rails in antique iron, brass and enamel. Boot rooms, hallways, utility rooms—sorted.
Child: Legs for Tables
Hairpin legs and steel frames to turn reclaimed boards and slabs into characterful tables and benches.
Child: Bottle Openers
Wall-mounted openers and witty plaques—small details that add personality to kitchens, bars and BBQ spaces.
Choose by Project
Reclaimed Shelving
Reclaimed scaffold boards (~225 mm wide) are strong, affordable and look superb once oiled or waxed. Match them with brackets that support most of the shelf depth. The classic recipe is a 200–225 mm bracket, spaced roughly 600–800 mm apart depending on load and wall type. Prefer a minimal look? Use floating shelf brackets and keep the fixings invisible.
- Typical shelf depths: 180–300 mm+
- Bracket depth ≈ shelf depth for best support
- Spacing: 600–800 mm
- Into studs or masonry anchors where possible
Boot-Room Storage
Hooks and rails keep coats, dog leads and bags under control. Use a reclaimed timber back-board to spread loads and add visual warmth. As a starting point, set an upper rail at ~165–175 cm, a lower rail at ~110–125 cm, and space hooks 10–15 cm apart.
Tables & Benches
Hairpin legs are the quick route to a stylish table—choose two-prong for light or medium tops, three-prong for heavier slabs. Steel box-section frames deliver maximum rigidity for wide tops and longer spans.
Kitchen & Bar Nooks
A short reclaimed shelf, a cast-iron bottle opener and a fun plaque can create a sociable corner in minutes. Outdoors, pre-drill and seal fixing holes, and choose screws that suit the finish.
Sizing Rules That Avoid Mistakes
Brackets
- Depth: choose a bracket arm near the shelf depth for proper support.
- Spacing: 600–800 mm is a good baseline.
- Run length: long runs often benefit from an extra centre bracket.
Hooks & Rails
- Heights: adult rail ~165–175 cm; lower rail ~110–125 cm.
- Spacing: 10–15 cm between hooks.
- Back-boards: reclaimed timber boards spread load and look the part.
Table Legs & Frames
- Hairpins: two-prong for light or medium tops; three-prong for heavier tops.
- Box-section frames: best for very wide or long tops.
- Floor protection: felt pads or rubber feet protect finished floors.
Fixings & Substrates (Studs, Masonry, Plasterboard)
Great hardware can underperform if fixing is rushed. Follow these principles for strong, reliable installs:
- Stud walls: locate studs and fix directly into timber. If needed, mount a timber batten first.
- Masonry: choose proper plugs or anchors and clean drilled holes before fixing.
- Plasterboard alone: avoid heavy loads where possible. Spread load carefully if unavoidable.
- Pilot holes: help prevent splitting in older timbers and keep screws running true.
- Finish-matched screws: blackened or brass screws usually blend best visually.
Finishes & Care (Keep the Patina, Stop the Rust)
Patina is part of the appeal—so don’t polish it away. Clean gently, protect lightly, and enjoy the character:
- Cast Iron: mild soap + water, dry thoroughly, then seal with wax or a light oil.
- Brass/Bronze: polish sparingly if you want shine; otherwise wax to stabilise the surface.
- Chrome/Nickel/Enamel: non-abrasive wipe; avoid aggressive chemicals.
- Painted: use a soft cloth and touch up only where needed.
Editor’s Picks (Fast Add-to-Cart)
Decorative Shelf Brackets
Characterful brackets that make everyday storage feel designed, not improvised.
Hooks & Hook Rails
From slimline to chunky cast-iron designs—perfect for hallways, utilities and boot rooms.
Floating Shelf Brackets
Invisible strength for a super clean aesthetic—let the timber do the talking.
Table Legs & Frames
Hairpin elegance or industrial steel—either way, a fast track to furniture that lasts.
Bottle Openers & Plaques
Small but mighty—finish your bar nook or outdoor kitchen with a grin.
Need more ideas before you buy?
See real installs, quick tips and before/afters on our blog hub, The Reclaimed Connection. It’s updated with new projects from our yard and customers across the UK.
Ironmongery FAQs
What size shelf bracket suits scaffold-board shelves?
Most scaffold boards are around 225 mm wide. Choose 200–225 mm brackets for typical shelves. For heavier loads or deeper shelves, step up to 250–300 mm.
How far apart should brackets be?
600–800 mm is a good baseline. Tighten spacing or add an extra bracket for heavy items or weaker substrates.
Do hooks include screws?
Check each product page. If not included, choose screws that match the finish and suit your substrate.
Are hairpin legs strong enough for dining tables?
Yes—use three-prong hairpins for heavier tops or opt for steel box-section frames. Add stretcher rails or cross-braces for long spans.
How do I keep the aged patina without rust?
Clean gently with mild soap and water, dry thoroughly, then seal with wax or a light oil. Reapply occasionally in damp spaces.
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