If you want to organize your coat closet, you will need to follow the same rules listed in the organizing your linen closet post. The trick to keeping the coat closet clean is by going through it each season (winter, spring, summer, and fall).

STEP 1: TAKE EVERYTHING OUT OF THE CLOSET

This step is really messy but it’s easy to spot which items do not belong in the closet. I found random items like a ceiling fan that didn’t belong in this closet. I also had some Christmas decorations that didn’t belong in this closet. I wouldn’t have found these items if I didn’t take everything out.

STEP 2: PURGE

Setup three designated spots for everything on the floor:

1. Donate pile: Place anything that you don’t want but is still in good condition in this pile. Immediately take this pile to Goodwill so it doesn’t end up in the “find another home” pile.
2. Trash pile: Throw away any items that are in bad condition, expired, or can’t be used by Goodwill that you no longer want. I found some expired sunscreen that I threw away.
3. “Find another home” pile: These are the things that you want to keep but doesn’t belong in the coat closet. You have to figure out where these items need to be permanently stored in your home.

STEP 3: GROUP AND SORT YOUR ITEMS

The hanger bar in the closet should hold jackets. I only store my jackets in this closet. The items that easily get out of control are the winter accessories such as the scarves, gloves, hats, and earmuffs. These are the items that are stored on the door. I ended up grouping all winter accessories and placing it in a container in the coat closet.

Because it’s summer, I only left the hats that I would wear in the summer time.

STEP 4: USE CONTAINERS TO ORGANIZE ITEMS IN THE CLOSET

I use containers on the upper shelves to store the “seasonal” items. The winter accessories are now in a container on the upper shelf of the closet. When it becomes winter, I will store all summer/fall accessories in its own container and hang up all the winter accessories on the door.

I also hung a shoe container on the hanger bar (on the right side of the closet). This helps to store rolled up hats, additional shoes or flip flops.

I recommend installing wall storage on closet doors and walk-in closet doors. I installed Ikea’s Fintorp rails and hooks in all my closet doors and walk-in closet doors.

I also have sliding wire baskets that I purchased from Ikea when I was in 7th grade. These baskets are on the floor right below the shorter jackets. I stored all swimming accessories in one of the larger baskets.

You can easily organize your coat closet and keep it maintained if you remember to clean out this closet every season.