9 Brilliantly Organised Ways to Sort Your Coat Storage
Get on top of that pile of coats in the hallway by trying one of these neat solutions
Eva Byrne
6 October 2017
I'm an Architect + House Consultant based in Dublin. I specialise in House Consultations to maximise Space, Light and Storage in your home. Whether you are planning a Renovation, Extension or New Build project, I aim to help you get your project off to the best possible start and to make best use of your cents and centimetres.
I'm an Architect + House Consultant based in Dublin. I specialise in House Consultations... More
If your coats are taking over your hall, it’s time to think seriously about storage. We need to locate our coats in a convenient location, ideally near an entrance door, but at the same time we all want our own hall to look good. Check out these ideas, which range from hangers and hooks to bespoke solutions, to find the perfect coat storage for you.
Reboot your porch
If you’re lucky enough to have a porch, consider turning it into a boot room. You can keep all your coats here, and leave your hall clear for a stylish console table.
Hang your coat hooks at eye level, and leave space below for shoes and boots. Alternatively, for a calmer look, place the hooks at 120cm above the floor – this will give enough room for long coats to hang, but will keep the wall clear above for pictures or a mirror.
If you’re lucky enough to have a porch, consider turning it into a boot room. You can keep all your coats here, and leave your hall clear for a stylish console table.
Hang your coat hooks at eye level, and leave space below for shoes and boots. Alternatively, for a calmer look, place the hooks at 120cm above the floor – this will give enough room for long coats to hang, but will keep the wall clear above for pictures or a mirror.
Create a built-in closet (or two)
A wardrobe-style cupboard is a great solution for keeping your coats out of sight. You’ll need a closet that’s 60cm deep to house a standard hanger – these are typically 43cm wide, without any thick clothes on top.
In this tidy space, the simple doors of the recessed closets have panelling for interest, plus a useful bench and shelf.
More: 12 Design and Space Hacks for Your Hallway
A wardrobe-style cupboard is a great solution for keeping your coats out of sight. You’ll need a closet that’s 60cm deep to house a standard hanger – these are typically 43cm wide, without any thick clothes on top.
In this tidy space, the simple doors of the recessed closets have panelling for interest, plus a useful bench and shelf.
More: 12 Design and Space Hacks for Your Hallway
Mix and match
If you don’t have room for a 60cm-deep cupboard, something more shallow can work, too. You can fix a rail to the back panel to allow the coats to face the door. It’s also possible to buy pull-out clothes rails that you can draw out in order to access your garments more easily.
Alternatively, use hooks to hang the coats, as they’ve done here. A combination of both hangers and hooks is a good solution, as you can hang less frequently used coats on the hangers and leave the hooks for those jackets you want to grab quickly.
If you don’t have room for a 60cm-deep cupboard, something more shallow can work, too. You can fix a rail to the back panel to allow the coats to face the door. It’s also possible to buy pull-out clothes rails that you can draw out in order to access your garments more easily.
Alternatively, use hooks to hang the coats, as they’ve done here. A combination of both hangers and hooks is a good solution, as you can hang less frequently used coats on the hangers and leave the hooks for those jackets you want to grab quickly.
Steal the stairs
The space under the stairs is usually 80cm deep, so that gives you plenty of space for storing coats and other items. It’s important to provide easy access to the space, however, so think about adding doors along the whole front surface. The panels here are minimal and sleek, giving the space a cool, calm feel while providing full access to all areas of the under-stairs cupboard.
The space under the stairs is usually 80cm deep, so that gives you plenty of space for storing coats and other items. It’s important to provide easy access to the space, however, so think about adding doors along the whole front surface. The panels here are minimal and sleek, giving the space a cool, calm feel while providing full access to all areas of the under-stairs cupboard.
Be free
If you don’t have the option of installing a built-in cupboard, use a freestanding closet instead. The one here has plenty of room and the drawers below are perfect for hats, shoes and gloves. A large piece of furniture like this could be obtrusive, so prevent it from overwhelming the space by painting it white and fitting light-reflecting mirrors to the front.
More: 10 Ways Freestanding Wardrobes Can Work Brilliantly
If you don’t have the option of installing a built-in cupboard, use a freestanding closet instead. The one here has plenty of room and the drawers below are perfect for hats, shoes and gloves. A large piece of furniture like this could be obtrusive, so prevent it from overwhelming the space by painting it white and fitting light-reflecting mirrors to the front.
More: 10 Ways Freestanding Wardrobes Can Work Brilliantly
Nick a nook
If you’ve got a recess in your hallway, use it to as a place to store your coats. If it’s organised well, a nook like this can bring all the advantages of a cupboard without losing the sense of space in the hall.
Fit a rail from one side to the other and provide hangers for all the household’s coats. Install a shelf at a low level to house your boots and shoes, and another one higher up to pop your hats, bags and any other paraphernalia.
If you’ve got a recess in your hallway, use it to as a place to store your coats. If it’s organised well, a nook like this can bring all the advantages of a cupboard without losing the sense of space in the hall.
Fit a rail from one side to the other and provide hangers for all the household’s coats. Install a shelf at a low level to house your boots and shoes, and another one higher up to pop your hats, bags and any other paraphernalia.
Sling your hook
Want hangers but don’t have room for a conventional rail? Steal an idea from the kitchen and hang up a utensil rail with butcher, or S, hooks attached. This utensil rail fits neatly to the wall and makes a feature of the coat hanging from it. For multiple jackets, just pop on more S hooks and overlap the garments neatly along the rail.
Want hangers but don’t have room for a conventional rail? Steal an idea from the kitchen and hang up a utensil rail with butcher, or S, hooks attached. This utensil rail fits neatly to the wall and makes a feature of the coat hanging from it. For multiple jackets, just pop on more S hooks and overlap the garments neatly along the rail.
Borrow a kitchen closet
As most kitchen cabinets measure 60cm deep, they’ll easily fit a standard hanger. If you have a tall kitchen unit that you can spare, use it to smuggle in extra coat storage. For better access to the cupboard, replace a single door with double ones that will open out on both sides.
As most kitchen cabinets measure 60cm deep, they’ll easily fit a standard hanger. If you have a tall kitchen unit that you can spare, use it to smuggle in extra coat storage. For better access to the cupboard, replace a single door with double ones that will open out on both sides.
Take a stand
Add a touch of nostalgia with a good old-fashioned coat stand. A traditional piece made of bentwood will look good in both old and new homes. If you’re looking for something more contemporary, it’s possible to find elegant sculptural versions.
The key to showing off a beautiful coat stand is to make sure you don’t overfill it. Leave some coats in the wardrobe upstairs and only store those you use regularly in the hallway.
Tell us…
Which of these ideas would work in your hallway? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Add a touch of nostalgia with a good old-fashioned coat stand. A traditional piece made of bentwood will look good in both old and new homes. If you’re looking for something more contemporary, it’s possible to find elegant sculptural versions.
The key to showing off a beautiful coat stand is to make sure you don’t overfill it. Leave some coats in the wardrobe upstairs and only store those you use regularly in the hallway.
Tell us…
Which of these ideas would work in your hallway? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Related Stories
Gardens
How to Disguise Rubbish and Recycling Bins Outside Your Home
Need to hide unsightly bins in your garden or driveway? Take a look at these clever ideas for inspiration
Full Story
Storage & Organisation
7 Ideas for Children’s Bookshelves
Need bookshelf or book storage ideas for your kid’s bedroom? Browse these stylish rooms for inspiration
Full Story
Living Rooms
10 Excellent Ideas for Alcove Storage
By Kate Burt
Those spaces either side of your chimney breast – are you making the most of them? Read on to find out
Full Story
Storage & Organisation
9 Things No One Tells You About Creating Storage in Your Home
By Kate Burt
Stuck for more storage? Look no further than our pros’ ideas for maximising space – beautifully
Full Story
Storage & Organisation
7 Ideas for Acing Your Open-plan Room’s Storage
By Kate Burt
Open-plan living spaces come with their own specific storage challenges, but there are several ways to tackle them
Full Story
Storage & Organisation
How to Achieve ‘Barely There’ Bedroom Storage
By Kate Burt
Let your bedroom feel serene by keeping your storage discreet
Full Story
Storage & Organisation
How to Declutter Your Home and Keep it Tidy
Need help to reclaim your space? Discover the tricks of the trade with this expert advice
Full Story
Storage & Organisation
9 Ways to Use Storage Baskets and Boxes Around Your Home
By Kate Burt
Easy to access, handy when it comes to tidying, and perfect for adding texture… Try giving these storage stars a whirl
Full Story
More Rooms
How to Pack More Into Your Loft Conversion
By Eva Byrne
Converting a loft can be a great way to create more space, but only if this typically awkward area is optimised
Full Story
More Rooms
7 of the Most Organised Hallways on Houzz
Are you ready for a storage masterclass? These neat hallways have it covered
Full Story
I love the ideas in this article! The comments that they aren't workable in real life are of course based on choices and perception.
I have family of 5. A teenage boy, two toddlers, my husband and I. We live in northern Alberta, Canada with all manners of weather. Currently it's snowing -12C and my little ones love to go out and play on a regular basis.
Most of these ideas are something I can make work, as our family keeps only seasonal items at the front door.
My difficulty is we currently have hooks, and I feel that rails would more efficient in our small entry closet. There is not enough room for more than 2 guests.