Take a fresh look at your coat closet - do you even know what's in there? Many coat closets become cluttered catch-alls, hidden from view and easily ignored. Keeping it organized can make a huge difference, whether for guest coats near the front door or a family closet by the mudroom.
Our guide will show you how to organize a coat closet, whether a traditional closet or open shelving. A tidy coat closet simplifies your daily routines and helps keep things stress-free. Follow our easy steps to transform your coat closet into a functional and organized space, and witness the satisfying transformation!
Transform Your Coat Closet: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Declutter Your Coat Closet
Before you start organizing your small coat closet, take everything out and sort through it. This step will help you avoid organizing items you don't need or belong elsewhere. Set aside a few hours on a weekend to do this, and make sure everyone in your household is around to help if they have items in the closet.
Start by grouping similar items together. Put all the coats in one spot, shoes in another, and accessories like hats and gloves in their own pile. You can also organize by person or season, keeping winter gear separate from summer items. If you also store purses, backpacks, or pet supplies in your coat closet, set those aside as well.
2. Decide What Stays and What Goes
As you organize your small coat closet, consider removing items you no longer need. Donate coats that are too small or out of style. For kids, pack away jackets that are between sizes and label them for future use. Do the same with shoes, hats, and winter gear. Store any items that don't belong in the coat closet elsewhere in the house.
3. Create Functional Zones
After sorting through your coat closet, it's time to organize the front closet by creating distinct zones. A key tip for staying organized is to group similar items together. While each home and closet is unique, here's a basic guide to get you started:
Outerwear: Coats, jackets, vests, and cardigans.
Shoes: Everyday sneakers, sandals, and boots.
Accessories: Hats, gloves, and scarves.
Daily essentials: Bags, umbrellas, sunglasses, and a lint roller - anything you need to grab quickly.
Pet supplies: Leashes, water bottles, bags, and pet apparel.
This setup helps keep everything in its place, making it easier to find what you need.
4. Organizing Your Coats
Start by sorting your coats, as the primary job of the closet is to store them. Choose the front closet organization method that suits you best:
Sort by Type: Group heavy winter coats separately from lighter jackets and vests. Move winter coats to one side during warmer months and swap them out as the weather changes. For small spaces, consider storing off-season coats elsewhere after washing them.
Sort by Family Member: Use labels or dividers to mark each person's section in the closet.
Sort by Length:Â If you have many long coats, keep them on one side to free up space for shoes.
Leave Space for Guests: Keep 15-20% of the rod open for guest coats and allow your items to breathe.
Use Matching Hangers: Using similar hangers makes the closet look more organized and helps keep it tidy.
For a game-changing way to organize your closet, check out RoomedysŸ Spacing Tape for Hangers (RST). This innovative tape ensures your hangers are evenly spaced, keeping your clothes tidy and easy to locate. Installation is quick, and RST is flexible, allowing you to choose single, double, or triple spacing. With its durable 3M adhesive, RST sticks securely to any surface, and it's available in different colors to match your closet's style. It's a practical and stylish solution to keep your closet neat and within reach.
`5. Organizing Shoes and Boots
Keep only the shoes you regularly wear in your coat closet. Store other types, like dress shoes and seasonal boots, in your bedroom closet instead.
A two-tier shoe rack placed on the floor works well for sneakers. If there's space, you can add boots, too. A boot tray protects the floor from rain or snow, but keep the tray outside the closet if you are organizing a small coat closet.
Flat shoes like flip-flops and slides can be stored in an over-the-door organizer or a basket. This is especially handy for kids, as they can easily toss their shoes into a bin. The goal is to make storing and grabbing shoes simple and accessible.
6. Utilizing Door Space
For small coat closet organization, the inside of your closet door is an excellent spot for organizing lightweight items. Hang a vertical shoe storage bag to keep small things tidy, and label each pocket so kids can easily find their gloves and hats. Install hooks for hats, purses, backpacks, and dog leashes. You can also use narrow wire baskets or hanging file holders to store mail or other small items. For hats and scarves, try using towel rods or curtain rods with clip rings. This setup will help keep everything neatly organized and easily accessible.
7. Organizing the Upper Shelf
Most coat closets have an upper shelf, which is a great place for storing baskets or plastic tubs. Remember to label them for easy access. Check if there's space above this shelf where you could add another one. This extra shelf can be perfect for keeping seasonal items organized as long as you can still reach it comfortably.
8. Permanent Storage Solutions
Consider a built-in storage system to maximize space when organizing a small coat closet. Install upper shelves and a clothing rod: hang your coats and jackets on the rod and use the shelves for frequently used accessories. Adding shelves and drawers below the rod helps you store hats, gloves, and scarves in the drawers and keep extra shoes neatly organized on the shelves. This setup keeps everything tidy and easy to find.
9. Seasonal Storage Tips
Store your coats in garment bags that you can vacuum seal to free up space in your coat closet during off-seasons. This helps save space by compressing them and keeping them tucked away in the back corners of the closet during warmer months. If you have delicate or valuable coats, like those made of fur or faux fur, standard garment bags are a great way to protect them from damage all year round.
10. Maximizing small coat closet organization
For a budget-friendly way to organize a small coat closet, try adding a second clothing rod below the existing one. This creates extra hanging space for coats, jackets, and sweaters. If you need more floor space, simply move your current rod higher. This way, you can hang two rows of coats and keep the area below free for additional storage.
For families with kids, an adjustable double rod helps store shorter child-sized jackets below adult coats, making it easier for kids to reach their own gear.
RoomedysÂź Spacing Tape for Hangers (RST)Â is your go-to solution for a perfectly organized closet. It keeps hangers evenly spaced, so your clothes stay neatly aligned and easy to find. With RST, you can easily adjust hangers without worrying about clothes shifting. It's a practical and stylish way to streamline your closet.
11. Family-Friendly Organization
Keeping accessories and smaller items organized in homes with multiple kids can be challenging. A simple solution is to assign a basket, hook, or hanger to each family member. This way, everyone has their own spot, making it easier to keep track of personal items. For a sleek storage option, use slim bathroom or magazine baskets, which still provide plenty of room for other clothing.
12. Regular Maintenance
The best time to organize your coat closet is when the seasons change. What you need in the summer isn't the same as what you need in the winter.
At the start of each season, take a moment to review what's in your closet and switch out items. This simple habit keeps your closet tidy and prevents clutter from piling up. Spending just an hour twice a year on this chore can save you a lot of frustration later on.
Conclusion
Organizing your coat closet isn't just about decluttering - it's about making your space work better for you and your family. Keeping coats, shoes, and accessories neatly arranged can streamline your daily routines and reduce stress. Whether you have a spacious closet or a small entryway nook, these tips can help you turn it into a functional, efficient space. An organized coat closet looks more appealing and makes it easier to find what you need when you need it. Now that you know how to organize a coat closet, you'll be on the path to a more orderly home in no time.
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Author: Stephen Patrick
Stephen is the Founder and CEO of the RoomedysŸ brand. Stephenâs inaugural, multi-patented invention, RoomedysÂź Spacing Tape for Hangers (RST), is poised to transform the world of closet organization. Having spent 25 years in the hospitality industry, Stephen is an expert in functional organization. His mantra, âEverything has a place; everything stays in place,â is the key to achieving a realistic & maintainable routine that provides a feeling of balance and well-being.