7 Quirky Specialty Hangers For Your Closet You Never Knew You Needed

Despite being invented around the turn of the 20th century, the humble clothes hanger didn't become extremely popular until the 1960s. Once they could be cheaply manufactured out of plastic instead of wire and wood, hangers started to fill almost every closet in the country. Over time, it's easy to accumulate them by the hundreds. It usually starts with a matching set or two, received as a housewarming or wedding gift. Professional careers frequently lead to countless paper-covered wire versions from your favorite dry cleaners, while clothing for special events tends to add at least a few bulky plastic ones to the mix. But whether you're trying to avoid wrinkled pants or just want to keep all your belts in one place, there are several quirky specialty hangers for your closet you never knew you needed.

The debate over folding versus hanging clothes may never be settled, and experts say the right method actually depends on what you're storing. According to The Laundress, "Hanging can help maintain a wrinkle-free finish and preserve detailing like pleating or draping, while folding saves space and prevents unsightly stretching." 

You may want to consider the space-saving way to fold your clothes for knitwear, tee-shirts, and even some embellished items. But if your closet space is limited, or you need the perfect solution for storing leggings, lingerie, handbags, or heavy quilts, there's probably a specialty hanger that can help.

Almost 10,000 customers have given the MORALVE European Beechwood Pant Hangers ($24.99 for two on Amazon) a five-star review, thanks to a quality design that's easy to assemble. With a 360-degree swiveling hook and a collapsible five-tiered hanger design that doesn't bend or collapse, users say this product works as well for storing lightweight scarves as it does for heavy pants. Many people were pleased with the space savings provided in their tiny closets, although a few felt the non-slip coating didn't grip pants well enough for the price.

Do you break a sweat trying to dig your favorite leggings or workout wear out of a giant pile of clothes before hitting the gym? If you'd rather take a spin class than sit around folding laundry, the Volnamal Metal Leggings Organizer With Rubber Coated Clips ($15.99 on Amazon) may be worth the proverbial calories. Thousands of customers love the clever design, which lets you easily clip up to 20 pairs of lightweight leggings, shorts, or other items. Users like the rubber-tipped clasps that are heavy-duty but don't leave significant indentations in your clothes.

Bras are one of the things you should never dry in your dryer. After hand-washing your delicates, it's important to let them air dry so they retain their shape. The ZEDODIER Non-Slip Space Saving Bra Hanger ($15.99 for two on Amazon) can hold up to eight bras or tank tops at a time. Made of high-quality metal that can be folded to save space when not in use, it's ideal in either a small closet or right in your laundry room. Reviewers like the sturdy construction and rubber tips that keep items with even the tiniest straps firmly in place.

When you need to fit a ton of clothes into a tiny closet, look for storage solutions that maximize the use of vertical space. The Magic Clothing Sturdy Metal Hangers Wardrobe Closet Organizer ($19.99 for six on Amazon) has two 360-degree swivel hooks that allow you to use the product horizontally along your closet rod. Or, using just one hook, you can drop items at a vertical angle that creates up to 80% more room. Customers love the sturdy design. It's capable of holding so many clothes, a few cautioned making sure you don't overload your closet rod's weight limit.

If belts and ties are creating a tangled mess in your closet, or if you need a place to store an assortment of handbags, consider the ZEDODIER Silver Belt Hanger and Hanging Tie Rack Holder ($8.99 on Amazon). Perfect for extremely small spaces, the eight-hook design takes up very little room on a closet rod while being capable of holding up to 24 belts, or an assortment of ties, scarves, bags, or other accessories. Over 1,000 customers love this closet organizer, which doesn't tip when unevenly loaded thanks to its sturdy construction.

Cramming folded tablecloths and blankets into dresser drawers is fine until company arrives. But then, you may quickly find yourself having to iron out deep wrinkles before setting a table or, worse, needing to wash or replace musty, moth-eaten throws. By hanging your heavier items on Stainless Steel Quilt Hangers with Vinyl Non-Slip Coating ($39.99 for 12 on Amazon), you can ensure adequate airflow around drapes, sheets, comforters, and even sleeping bags, making storing oversized bedding a breeze. Available in three, six, and 12 packs, users love the sleek look these hanger sets provide.

Certain articles of clothing can be really challenging to hang. From strapless dresses to string bikinis, although you could simply shove them into a drawer, using a specialty hanger can make your favorites easier to find and extend their lifespan. Body Shape Metal Wire Swimwear and Lingerie Display Hangers ($86.99 for a set of 24 on Amazon) have an hourglass shape made of lightweight metal. Users love them because they are both sturdy and attractive. Sold in packs of 16 or 24, these bikini hangers are available in Gold or Rose Gold color.