Easy Tips for Functional Coat Closet Organization
12 steps to completely organize a coat closet from start to finish to make it beautiful and functional + free printable labels.
If you want to relieve stress in your daily routine, organize that neglected hall closet currently stuffed with winter coats. Since it’s the last thing you touch before starting your day and the first thing you see after walking in the front door, your entryway coat closet space deserves some love.
I have just two moods during decluttering season:
1. I literally want to do everything just to avoid a closet tidying project or…
2. Organize all the things.
I absolutely couldn’t avoid THIS monstrosity of an entry closet any longer.
12 Steps to Organize a Functional Coat Closet
Taking the time to implement a new storage solution, however, is always worth the little time it takes.
It’s a sight to behold, I tell ya. And I honestly can’t believe it took me this long.
If you’ve been in the same boat on the home organizing battle front, here are some coat closet organization ideas to help maximize your space.
1. Remove Everything From the Entire Closet
That’s probably a total Captain Obvious tip, but even if you plan on keeping some of the existing items in the closet, pull them out anyway and start with a blank slate so you can work from scratch.
2. Give Walls a Fresh Paint Job
A fresh coat of paint is a great way to get rid of that musty closet smell.
We just used leftover paint we had from our bedroom for a new look in this little space. (Yay for free leftovers!) I love how the black makes everything else pop.
3. Be Realistic About Needs of Each Family Member
If you haven’t used winter gear or pairs of shoes in that closet in the past year, get rid of it. Chances are, you’re not going to miss it. Visualize the extra space you’ll have and think about how it will feel to have some breathing room. Sometimes that’s the best motivation to finish organizing small spaces.
4. Categorize Like Items
I made piles with the items I planned on keeping for winter hats, gloves, scarves, coats, shoes, workout equipment, gift wrap, and other random items.
By putting items in categories, you’ll know exactly how many bins and baskets you’ll need.
5. Measure the Closet
Get out the tape measure and determine the height, width, and depth of your closet and keep those measurements in the notepad on your phone.
While you’re shopping for shoe cubbies and fabric bins for a storage system, you’ll know exactly what will fit and what won’t without any trial and error.
6. Replace Wire Shelving
Remove the wire shelf in the top of the closet with a wood shelf and hanging rod.
7. Use Fabric Bins for Clothing Accessories
Place smaller items like gloves, scarves, and hats in separate baskets. Choosing things that are “pretty” will encourage you to keep the space looking beautiful. Take advantage of vertical space on the top shelf.
8. Utilize a Side Wall for Shoe Storage
The side walls of closets are often underutilized. Take advantage of that prime real estate by pushing a shoe shelf against the side wall. You will still have easy access to shoe shelves without taking up valuable floor space.
9. Store Larger Items in Baskets on the Floor
Make a dedicated space for sports equipment on the floor under hanging coats. It’s the perfect place where kids can have easy reach.
10. Add Pretty Labels
That way there’s no question where anything goes. My trick is to use these cheap ID/luggage tags. I whipped up some coat closet labels for them that you can download and print yourself.
If you’re currently a Bless’er House email subscriber, the printables are already in my Printable Library. Just access them from the link at the bottom of every email I send or from here (password in your email).
If you want to get access to the printable label set, just click here to subscribe and get the labels in your inbox (it’s free).
11. Use Matching Hangers
I really like these velvet hangers to keep slippery jackets from sliding off. It’s amazing how something as simple as a pack of matching hangers can improve a hallway closet.
12. Store Reusable Shopping Bags and Gift Wrap
Put all of the walls in your closet to work by installing wall baskets to hold gift bags and reusable shopping bags. They always seem to come in handy as you’re rushing out the door. These baskets hanging from Command hooks are perfect for storing rolls of gift wrap, gift bags, shopping bags, and tissue paper.
Even though it’s hard to get in the organizing mood, it’s worth every second every time.
Coat Closet Organizing Sources
- Paint color: Kilz Rebel
- Shoe cubby (we used two stacked on top of each other)
- White woven bins
- Lidded floor baskets (ours are the large and medium)
- Wall baskets
- Velvet hangers
- Label tags
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And now I have a place where guests can hang their coats without me cringing in complete embarrassment. Woot!
More Closet Organizing Ideas
- 30 Genius DIY IKEA Pax Closet Makeover Hack Ideas
- Bathroom Linen Closet Organization Ideas That Totally Work
- 10 Small Closet Organizing Ideas for Girls
- The Ultimate Closet CleanOut Cheat Sheet
