An easy to create Coat Closet Organization

This is a step by step guide for how to make an easy to create coat closet organization. This organizational systems should work for all types of coat closets from small closets, to large closets, to awkward shaped closets. The best part? It’s renter friendly, easy and cheap to create!  

My husband and I have lived in over five different types of rentals (apartments, duplex, and a detached home) over the past several years. Each place had different types of closets. We have learned a lot about how to organize spaces quickly and effectively. 

This closet organization works very well as a family of four with a good amount of room to add more items if need be. For reference the coat closet is 3 feet wide x 2 feet deep x 8 feet tall.

What materials will I need for this coat closet organization?

• Hangers (for coats)
• Containers (for storage)
• Wire shelf (for shoes)

What are the steps? 

Step 1: Purpose

First focus on the purpose of the closet. What will the space be used for and how often it will be used? Will it store supplies for walking the dog? Will it store extra emergency supplies? 

For us this coat closet serves as a place to store this current season’s outerwear & shoes, diaper bag, library books to return, and have a place for my husband to store any odds and ends he would like to keep. 

Step 2: Declutter

The second step is to declutter the space. Only keep what you absolutely need in this space. Now you decide what works best for you but I recommend only keeping the closet 75% full. Then you have the space to grab items easily and quickly. 

I really decluttered this space. I only kept what we use everyday when needing to leave the house. For example my husband and I each have only four jackets (1 warm jacket, 1 rain jacket, 1 zip up jacket, and 1 vest) and four pairs of shoes. 

Step 3: Add storage for shoes

The third step is to create a space for shoe storage. In the past we had a traditional shoe rock but that never functioned well for us. So I decided to go another route. We had this wire storage rack in our garage and didn’t need it in there any more. It fit perfectly in our closet. 

Step 4: Use containers

The next step is the secret sauce to making and keeping a coat closet staying organized; containers! 

I recommend using whatever containers you have already around the house. For the longest time we used old moving boxes. This allowed us the opportunity to switch things up if need be before committing to official containers. 

Step 5: Organize and label

The last step is my personal favorite step; organizing and labeling! Only keep what you absolutely need. I have two goals: be easy to use and to stay organized.

I rearranged this space several times before finding the best solution. Don’t be afraid to change it around as needed if something isn’t working.

For example, I used to store our kids’ jackets on hangers. I quickly realized that was too hard to manage and their coats ended up on the floor. As a solution, I gave them a container to store all of their jackets. This works because we store out of season items elsewhere.  

Before…

Before this organization this closet was semi-organized but not used to its full advantage. 

After…

This system is super easy to use and maintain. Everything has a place and is super easy to use on a daily basis. I wrote a blog post about how we now have Clutter Free Closets; go check it out HERE! 

I hope you enjoyed my take on an easy to create coat closet organization. I’d love to know, if you have closets in your home, what’s your favorite closet?

Thank you so much for stopping by! I write posts every week about routines that help keep life simple. To read more about my family and I, go HERE.

Check out more Home Organizing Ideas:

Simple and Easy Family Command Center

Tips for Clutter Free Closets

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