The Best Corner Coat Rack

Take off your coat and stay awhile. That’s a pretty standard invitation when you’re getting guests to settle in and relax. So where exactly do you put that coat? A corner coat rack, of course. Of all the pieces of furniture in your home, this one might be the most welcoming. It’s functional yet friendly, and if you buy the right one it can be the centerpiece of your foyer.

There are many different types of coat racks ranging from a single, simple wall hook to cabinets that resemble a miniature wardrobe. For this guide, we’re focusing on the traditional corner coat rack — a tall, stand-alone structure that’s meant to hold jackets, hats or scarves.

That’s some pretty basic architecture, but as soon as you start looking you’ll find that furniture designers have been able to do some very artistic things with it. You can find coat racks that look like anything from ancient trees to sleek modern sculpture. Consider that this might be the first piece of furniture your guests interact with, so make sure the style matches the decor of your entryway and sets the tone for the house at large.

Now on to more practical concerns. Obviously, even the most stunning coat rack isn’t much good if it can’t hold your coats. Small households might be able to get away with a thin rack with just a few pegs, but large families or those with a lot of visitors are going to need more hooks.

And remember, it’s not just about quantity. Try to think about what kind of coats your rack might be holding. Even the heaviest winter coats might only weigh a few pounds, but that can add up if your hooks are flimsy. If you’ve got kids, consider getting something more durable no matter what kind of climate you’re in. Coat racks can become the default place to schoolchildren to hang their backpacks, and those can weigh more than a few pounds.

The materials for your coat rack should be chosen with an eye to that kind of durability, but they can also make a visual statement. Wooden coat racks are naturally going to seem more rustic, while metal or plastic ones lend themselves more to a modern appeal.

If you’ve got a little space in that corner, you may also want to choose a coat rack that can handle more than just coats. If the base of your coat rack is more substantial than just a thin pole, that means it can have a little shelving underneath. And that means your coat rack can now be a shoe rack or a place to display a few knick-knacks. At Halloween or during visits from the grandkids it can hold a candy bowl. Some coat racks have a basket at the base meant to hold umbrellas — ideal for rainy climates. Just use a little imagination, and think of how you’d want to be welcomed into your own home each day.

Where do you usually find a coat rack? The foyer, of course. But that hardly means it’s the only place it can go. With a little creativity, a coat rack can be of use in any corner you need a little extra storage. The bathroom is one obvious alternative since it’s where many people need space to hang bathrobes or other articles of clothing while changing. If you’ve got a coat rack that’s especially striking, you can even take it out of the corner and put it center stage — right by your living room couch.