Small-But-Mighty Coat Closet Organization Ideas

Coat-closet chaos shouldn’t be a thing. They’re so much smaller than most other closets, and their contents are right there in the name. How could taming them and keeping them functional get problematic?

Coat Closet Organization Ideas From the Experts

As anyone who’s reached in for a guest’s jacket and gotten clocked by a hastily-stashed travel umbrella (or a lacrosse stick, board game or backpack) knows, those multipurpose zones contain multitudes. We turned to professional organizers for pointers on tackling the madness, and we're sharing seven of their tried-and-true tips for your most organized coat closet ever.

1. Perch Shoes Above Coats

While it might seem logical to stow large items at eye level and stash accessories on the floor, that approach squanders space and guarantees rummaging, California Closets design lead Jennifer Pearson says. “Since shoes are shallow (typically 12 inches in length) and coats are deep (22 inches to 24 inches), this scenario creates a situation that is not ergonomic or convenient,” she explains. “As a result, the shoes typically end up in a messy pile, disorganized and chaotic.” Skip the scavenger hunt; eyes up here!

“Investing in an organizer, hanging coats low and placing shoes above, or creating double hanging space with a tall shelving section to one side is much more user-friendly,” Jennifer says. “Seeing and reaching shoes at eye level provides ease of use and encourages a tidier coat closet.”

2. Always Be Closing (Your Clothing)

Taking an extra beat to secure your outerwear as you hang it both streamlines each piece and prevents them from slithering to the floor. “Zipping or buttoning up coats when [they’re] not in use will help them be stored in a more compact manner and will prevent other items from snagging while pulling things in and out of the closet,” Jennifer says.

3. Edit Regularly

Make a habit of adding coat closet cleanouts to your cleaning schedule. “I recommend reassessing a coat closet at least twice a year,” says Lauren Oster, a designer with Saint Louis Closet Co. [Note: Lauren Oster the designer and Lauren Oster the writer of this article are not the same person, though we share a commitment to well-organized coat closets.] Schedule those cleanouts for when winter transitions to spring and summer transitions to fall, she suggests. “This is the perfect time to remove out-of-season items, relocate anything that doesn’t truly belong near the entryway and donate coats or accessories that you didn’t use during their respective seasons. Because these closets often become catchalls, regular check-ins help prevent clutter from creeping back in.”

4. And Edit Ruthlessly

That point bears repeating: Items in your coat closet should be getting regular, ongoing use. Special-occasion coats — those you use for dressy events, sports, Arctic travel — belong elsewhere. Former favorites, in turn, might need to be rehomed. When you’re doing seasonal cleanouts, “make first, second and third cuts of clothing and other belongings,” says professional organizer Cynthia Kienzle, aka The Clutter Whisperer of NYC. “Most of us can’t move to larger spaces just to accommodate our ‘stuff.’ Something has to give. We need to live within our means. So if it all doesn’t fit, purge, purge, purge.”

She confronts the dark side (and corners) of coat closets at her clients’ homes all the time; those overtaxed spaces are crammed with “dusty shoes, luggage pieces that should be donated, cleaning supplies, mops and vacuums that flop around, mystery boxes of stuff, way too many assorted bags, clothing donations and unwanted gifts.” You and your coats deserve better.

5. Standardize Hangers Strategically

While pros agree that investing in quality hangers maximizes space and is worth your while, you needn’t stick to one offering for everything. As Jennifer explains, “My regular closet has uniform, space-saving hangers that create consistency and visual appeal; however, my coat closet is where the hangers differ. This is due to a few heavier winter coats that require a thicker and more durable hanger to hold the weight of the [coat] and prevent the hanger from warping or bending.” Those heavy-duty hangers can leave the coat closet when the coats they hold transition out in the spring.

As for the rest of your space, Cynthia also favors wooden hangers for heavy- and medium-weight coats, and she cautions against freestyling with tiered hangers or accessories. “Tiered hangers are difficult to use and just plain annoying,” she says. “Hats and scarves,” in turn, “won’t do well on hangers.”

6. Use the Back of the Door Wisely

“The back of a shared coat closet door is prime real estate,” Lauren says. “I love using hooks for items that are grabbed on the go. Think dog leashes, umbrellas, reusable bags or even guests' scarves.” Her clients favor side-by-side hooks for light coats or outerwear and stationary tie hooks for storing scarves. “The key difference from a bedroom closet door is accessibility; everything placed here should be frequently used, and easy to remove without disrupting the rest of the closet.” Along the same lines, Cynthia deploys "inside-door hanging baskets to hold hats, gloves, scarves [and] compact umbrellas."

7. Function Is First

The most important thing to consider as you approach your coat closet? “Function should always come before aesthetics,” Lauren says. “The best coat closets are designed around how the household actually enters and exits the home. That means accounting for who uses the space daily, what items need to be accessed quickly and how much flexibility is required for guests. When a coat closet has a clear purpose, rather than trying to store everything that might not have a home, it becomes far more efficient and far easier to maintain.”