How to Organize Your Coat Closet Like a Professional

Prioritize Frequently Used Items

Anything within easy reach is considered "prime real estate," and this space is best saved for items you use most often. "This allows easy access to whatever you’re using frequently for quick trips out the door," says Ashley Murphy, co-founder and CEO of the NEAT Method. "Evaluate your categories. If they aren’t clear, it might be time to pull everything out and sort. From there, decide which categories make sense to prioritize and place the rest on upper shelves and in lower drawers."

Invest in a Sturdy Shoe Rack

 A messy pile of shoes at the front entry is a common woe, but you can ward this disorganized dilemma off by keeping a nice shoe rack at the bottom of your coat closet.     

"A quality shoe rack or system is a closet must," says Jane Abrahams, founder and head organizer at Jane’s Addiction Organization. "Most people have an overflow of shoes and prefer to keep them near the entrance. If you want your shoes out of sight, the coat closet is a great option."    

For those who prefer tossing rather than lining up, an extra-large sturdy basket or two works as a nice alternative. You can also assign a basket to each family member to neatly put away.

Place Hooks on Walls

Take advantage of wall space by hanging hooks, which are a super simple way to keep your coat closet tidy. "They’re especially useful for small children or to hang odd-shaped items like long umbrellas or pet leashes. Bonus, they make use of wall space that may otherwise be left empty," says Marissa Hagmeyer, co-founder and COO of the NEAT Method. She recommends stacking hooks vertically or horizontally, depending on available space, and consider the height of children who may be using them.

Make Use of Your Door and Floor Space

Make no mistake about it: Every inch of your coat closet is rife with storage potential, including the inside of the door and floor space. "Adding an over-the door storage solution is an easy way to gain more storage space in your closet," says Seifert. "Use it for hats, scarves, umbrellas, and touch-up items like a lint roller to easily grab and go on your way out the door."

Organize Coats by Length

Since longer coats take up more closet space than shorter ones, it's important to organize them accordingly, says Christopher Reynolds of California Closets. "Most coat closets we see have one shelf and one pole which never maximizes the space," he says. "Most jackets and short coats can fit comfortably into a double-hang section, so we often try to give more real-estate to that section, leaving just 12 to 24 inches for the long coats. This way, you can store shoes and boots below the long hang."

Protect Off-Season Coats from Moths

Pack away jackets in breathable cotton garment bags, says Elizabeth Botero, a professional organizer in New York City. Hang a cedar plank—a natural moth repellent—in each one. If a plank seems to be losing its scent, rub the surface with coarse sandpaper (outdoors or in a well-ventilated area).

Add Drawers

If your coat closet is lacking in the shelving department, Reynolds says to consider employing a short storage unit with drawers to organize small items. "Whenever possible, try to incorporate storage drawers—ideally with dividers—to stash seasonal accessories, such as scarves, earmuffs, and gloves," he says.

Buy Baskets and Bins for Small Items—and Label Them

A good set of storage containers can be a game-changer for organizing smaller on-the-go items in a cramped coat closet. "If you don't have the room for drawers, use storage bins and baskets to corral umbrellas, mittens, and other small seasonal accessories," Reynolds says. "Make sure to label each container so you can teach children what goes where."

Wait Until Things Are Dry to Put Them Away

Let wet coats and shoes dry outside the closet—otherwise, you risk dirtying or dampening dry items. Botero recommends a simple binder clip at the top of wellies to keep them standing upright, rather than chew up valuable space with boot shapers.

Use Quality, Coordinating Hangers

No more wire hangers—our experts say to invest in sturdy (and complementary) ones instead. "Using matching hangers maximizes your rod space," Seifert says. "Cedar hangers are durable and also pest, mildew, and odor repellent."

If you need a space-saving hanger, Seifert also recommends non-slip velvet hangers because they have a slim profile but are durable enough to hold heavier garments like coats.

Make Closet Space for Everyone

Every person in your family should have a sliver of space in your home's coat closet. "For larger families, create individual sections so each member has their own space for two to three coats, two pairs of shoes or boots and a bag or backpack," Reynolds says. If you're tight on space, give each person a little bin for stashing their small belongings.

Make Peace with the Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuum storage may not pertain to coming and going, but in many homes, this closet is the only place to store one. A wall-mounted organizer for the hose and attachments can keep you from feeling as if you're wrestling an elephant whenever you open the door.