The entryway can be one of the most difficult areas of the home to keep tidy. It’s the first thing guests see, but it’s often cluttered with outerwear, shoes, mail and more. A coat rack is a great way to organize and declutter your entryway, no matter how much (or little!) space you’re dealing with.
How to choose a coat rack
“Coat racks are there to serve a purpose and can’t be purely decorative, so they must hold enough coats and be sturdy enough to bear their weight,” says Saskia Howard, co-founder of Howark Design.
In terms of aesthetics, the pros also have tips for finding a coat rack that goes with your space. “Make sure the materials are complementary to those used elsewhere in the room,” says Howard. “Think timber that tones with the floor, or something more colorful in a children’s space.”
You also have to think about how else you’re going to use the coat rack. While it will primarily be a practical place to store your jackets, other items can find a home there too. “Outside of storing your go-to purse, coat and hat, durable and properly mounted coat racks can also be used to hold backpacks and dog leashes at your most common entrance,” says Marissa Hagmeyer, co-founder and COO of Neat Method. “In bedrooms and closets, they can hold purse, belt or hat collections.”
The proper height to hang a coat rack can feel like a bit of a guessing game too, but there actually isn’t a strict requirement to follow. “The height to hang a coat rack can be based on your personal height, but a good range would be around 5 feet,” says Jamie Hord, founder of Horderly Professional Organizing. “If you’re the only one using it and you’re on the taller side, you could position it taller, or if you want kids to have access to it themselves, consider hanging it lower.” Other experts suggest considering the length of your longest coat (which might be a trench coat), so it doesn’t run the risk of dragging on the floor.
Ready to finally declutter your entryway? From compact options for small spaces to heavy-duty yet elegant choices, we’ve rounded up the best coat racks.
With three tiers of hooks, this freestanding coat rack offers plenty of storage for all of your rain jackets, heavy winter coats, scarves, purses and more. It's lightweight enough to easily move around your home as needed. Plus, its minimal design will easily blend into your existing decor style. Just make sure the weight is balanced out on the coat rack so it doesn’t topple over from one side being too heavy.
This simple coat rack allows you to utilize the unused space on your entryway walls for storage. Made with heavy-duty steel, the wall-mounted coat rack has a thick backplate so you won’t have to worry about all your jackets and backpacks making it fall. It also comes recommended by Hord, who likes that it’s available in multiple sizes (anywhere from two to 10 hooks), making it easy to choose one that fits your space. It can also be hung in other areas of your home, such as the closet to store belts and necklaces or the bathroom to hang extra bath towels and robes.
Store your jackets and get your shoes off the floor with a coat rack that has a built-in storage bench. It can hold up to eight pairs of shoes on the two shelves, and best of all, it also serves as a seat so you can put on or take off your shoes with ease. If the shelves get dirty over time from muddy shoes, you can wipe them with a damp cloth and a mild cleaner.
With carbon steel hooks and a marble base, this coat rack has a minimal yet elegant appearance that’s well-suited for modern spaces. Each arm is topped off with an anti-drop hook so hangers won’t slip,?but you can also hang coats and bags directly on the rack. It has an anti-rust coating, which means it can hold up in the bathroom too. Its versatile yet modern style makes it a great option for a home, but it will also elevate the look of an office or entryway of a store.
For something more unique, showcase your coats and accessories with a leaning ladder. This one has six bars for draping items, but you can also use S-hooks to hang coats and bags more traditionally. It keeps your space decluttered while making a stylish statement. The top and bottom of the rack are padded with silicone to keep it in place and avoid marking the floor and wall. You can even place it in the kitchen to hang linens or in the bedroom to store throw blankets, cardigans and accessories.
If you’re like me and live in an apartment equivalent to the size of a shoebox, then this coat hanger is a great option to avoid taking up any floor space. The rack is designed to be multi-purpose, so it can also hold other items such as hats, umbrellas and keys. It hangs vertically and comes with either six or nine hooks. If you have a small entryway but have a large family or often entertain, you can even get multiple racks and hang them side by side.
Made of acacia wood, this coat rack instantly adds warmth to a space and creates a statement in the entryway of your home. It’s built with four large wooden hooks capable of holding even your heaviest coats. There are also four knobs attached to the middle, which can hold smaller items such as a wristlet or keys. The golden aluminum accents elevate its overall classic look. The circular shelf near the bottom is perfect for placing a pair of shoes too.
This accordion-style coat rack is my personal favorite — it’s the one I use in my home! Not only does it hold my heavy winter coats, but it also holds some of my running gear such as my fanny pack and seasonal hats. It’s adjustable too, so it’s able to stretch out across the wall based on the space you have available. While the overall size is smaller compared to other coat racks, the 10 sturdy hooks provide plenty of storage space.
If you’re looking for a coat rack that draws as little attention as possible, then this sleek wall-mounted option will surely exceed your expectations. The hooks stay hidden until they’re needed, so there’s no unnecessary bulkiness when they aren’t in use. When you come home and shed your jacket, gently pull a hook down to hang your coat and bag. The mounts are also available in six different colors, from natural wood to all black.
For those who have several heavy coats in need of a home, this industrial rack is for you. The clothing rack is made with iron and has a solid base, so it won’t budge under the weight of the garments. You can also get a version of it with wheels if you need to move it around. We think it’s a great choice for basements and mudrooms.
