Whitmor Freestanding Rolling Adjustable Clothes Rack

If you run low on closet space or you just want a way to conveniently access certain outfits, a clothes rack is a great option for storing and displaying your items. It can also double as a drying rack if you lack a dryer or have certain garments that need to be air dried. This versatile item can be helpful on the go as well when you need to transport clothes for a special event.

Most clothes racks resemble metal stands that have one or two rods on the top to hang items. These rods may adjust so you can extend them for additional space. There’s often some shelf area on the bottom for shoes, purses and accessories as well.

A clothes rack will often come with wheels that you can attach to easily move your clothes from place to place. However, some models have stationary feet for use in one place instead. If you want the most versatility, a wheeled option is best since you could always use it without the wheels if you want.

You can find clothes racks in multiple sizes to fit your needs and space. The smallest options are designed for traveling or drying clothes, and these are good when you lack floor space or only need to hang a few items. The most popular clothes racks, however, usually run over a few feet long, with some accommodating dozens of items. These larger clothes racks may even fold up so you can store them or take them places when needed. 

The rack’s sturdiness is very important, so you’ll want to know the types of items you’ll hang up. It’s common for even a basic stainless steel rack to support close to 100 pounds of clothes on its hanging rod, while heavy-duty and commercial options could support 250 pounds. If you expect to hang many heavy items such as coats, it’s worth getting an option with a high weight limit. You’ll also want to note the weight limit for the rack’s bottom shelf since it’s often much less than for the rod.

• You’ll probably want to choose a clothes rack that goes with your room decor. This is usually easy to do since racks often come in black, silver, white or gold to blend in. If you want something especially subtle, however, you could get a white clothes rack to place against a white wall.
• Make sure you have plenty of hangers to use with your clothes rack. If you’re deciding between types of hangers, you’ll probably find that plastic ones offer many color options and come at a low cost, but they may fail if you put something heavy on them. Wire hangers offer durability, but they come at a higher cost and can rust. Wooden hangers, on the other hand, are durable and environmentally friendly and offer a nice look, but water can damage them.
• It’s worth choosing a clothes rack that won’t give you hassles during the assembly process. Some models simply unfold so you can snap the pieces together and put the wheels on easily. Others require more steps that you can consult in the instruction manual.
• If your clothes rack has wheels, make sure they’re sturdy and easy to move around. You should choose an option with wheels that move in all directions and have locks you can use to keep the rack from moving when placed. And when you’re setting up the rack, make sure you securely screw the casters in before you start trying to move the rack.
• For safety, avoid overloading the clothes rack beyond its weight limit since it could tip over or collapse and cause an injury. Make sure that it’s stable once you’ve assembled it too.
• If your clothes rack is foldable, it may fit into a piece of luggage for easy transport, but you’ll want to check the dimensions. Some options come with a storage bag for convenience.
• Clothes racks usually have stoppers at the end of the rod to keep your clothes from sliding off. The position and type can vary though where some are more effective than others.
• Heavy clothes racks could scratch up your floor, especially if you don’t have carpet. You might consider putting a rug under the clothes rack or using furniture pads for protection.