Essential Winter Coat Closet Organization Tips You Can't Miss

The same thickness and fluffiness that makes winter coats the perfect protection from cold weather also make them a nuisance to store neatly. A winter coat closet can become messy quickly if you are not very intentional with your storage strategy. Luckily, it's totally possible to maximize space in closets that house thick winter coats. You just need to organize the space like a professional. Professional Organizer and Command Brand Ambassador Ria Safford shared a few essential winter coat closet organization tips you can't afford to miss if a coat closet revamp is on your to-do list. While speaking exclusively to House Digest, the expert revealed that you should ensure your coats are easily accessible, get rid of the ones you haven't worn in years, store them by category, and assign a drop-off spot for the coat you wear daily.

At this point, you might be wondering if you need to revamp your winter coat closet organization system using Safford's advice. There's a simple question you can ask yourself to determine if this is necessary. "Winter coat season is in full swing — were you able to find what you were looking for before walking out the door?" Safford asked. If the answer is no, consider using the expert's organization tips to make it easier to grab any coat you need as soon as you need it. "It is crucial that utility items such as winter coats are easily accessible during the winter months," Safford stressed.

Safford's tips will help you organize your coat closet like a professional, leaving you with a neat storage space that makes each item in your collection more accessible. The professional organizer's first tip is to get rid of coats you no longer wear. "Winter coats can take up a lot of space–be sure you are editing your inventory at the end of every winter season, ridding yourself of unworn or unwanted items," Safford said while speaking exclusively to House Digest. "You will want to assess your inventory again when getting ready for winter to see if any new items have been purchased that replace any of the old."

Another helpful tip Safford shared is to break your coats into categories. Store puffy vests together, combine windbreakers in one section, hang rain jackets side-by-side, and so on. Use dividers to make this easier. "A great organization tip is to add hanging dividers in the closet to label the categories or even label who the coats belong to if it is a shared space," the expert added. Safford's final DIY coat closet organization tip is something you may not have tried before. She recommends creating a "grab and go" section for the coats you and your family wear daily. Consider placing a few hooks, like Command Clothes Hangers, on a door or wall inside the closet to create this storage spot.

Safford pointed out that you can use your coat closet to organize other seasonal items as well. "A winter coat closet may serve many purposes and is often in what I call a "multi-use" space," She said while speaking exclusively to House Digest. "This may be your seasonal closet that is swapped out at the turn of different seasons." If you do decide to use this closet for seasonal wear besides winter coats, organization is vital to keep the space neat. "Try to keep the categories related to each other and remove any items that belong elsewhere in the house," the expert added. "I like to keep other winter accessories near coats." You can also store seasonal items like gloves, hats, scarves, or bathing suits in storage baskets or containers on closet shelves.

When it comes time to refresh your winter closet for spring, Safford recommends vacuum sealing your winter coats and putting them away until winter rolls around again. Place the vacuum-sealed coats in labeled boxes, and you will be left with a whole lot more closet space. This is the perfect small-space storage solution for tiny closets. With all these professional-level coat closet organization tips under your belt, you should be able to arrange the coat closet of your dreams.