10 ideas for a coat rack—how to keep things tidy and decorate your entryway

1. In the spirit of the house

For an older house, it’s a good idea to design storage spaces in line with the overall style. You can create a welcoming entrance with mismatched antique furniture. A wooden coat rack, a low cabinet, and an old farmhouse chair in front of a paned window look simply enchanting together.

2. Horizontal stripes

A boldly colored entry is a treat for the eyes. Wide horizontal stripes make the space look bigger and give it a crisp feel. If you hang coat racks on a patterned wall, line them up with the stripes, either at the top or bottom edge. Notice how the intersecting wall can also be part of your color play. A medium blue suits just about everything.

3. Your own steps

The staircase isn’t a necessary evil, but an opportunity to get creative. The combination of a log wall and a modern coat rack is playful and unexpected. Notice also how the shoes have been arranged on the steps.

4. Color from the floor

This entry nook on the glass porch is furnished to respect the home’s old-world style. A lightweight wall-mounted rack holds everyday clothes and accessories. The checkerboard-tiled floor is from Pukkila’s collection. The wall is painted in Ottosson Linseed Oil Paint’s shade Afghan.

5. If only there were something to read

“Wallpaper” made from old newspapers and a vintage wooden coat rack speak the same timeless language. The entry of this old house was papered with 1946 and 1947 issues of Finnish newspapers found behind the kitchen walls. Between the logs, along with jute and linen, there were also pieces of lace curtains and pajama pant legs used as insulation.

6. Handmade

You can often find old wooden coat racks at flea markets for surprisingly low prices, especially considering they’re usually handmade from dense, durable wood. It’s easy to praise vintage racks: they stand up to daily use, look great whether in their natural finish or painted, and add unique character to your décor.

7. Frame the coat rack

A hat rack, a hanger rod, and hooks keep the entry neatly organized. The entry’s wallpaper is Sametti by the Finnish brand Pihlgren & Ritola. The umbrella is a vintage Dior that was headed for the trash. On the floor is a lamp made from an old Arabia space heater, now adding warmth to the décor.

8. Within arm’s reach

Plenty of hooks, fabric organizers for entry essentials, a mud tray for shoes, a tiled floor, and a sturdy bench to make dressing easier. A functional entry is a fusion of practicality and beauty. Did you know that in Finland, shoes are usually left at the door?

9. Tailored to fit

Depending on your entry space, a built-in piece of furniture might be the best solution. Design a bench with drawers to suit your specific needs. Build compartments of various sizes so you can easily tuck in shoes or extra clothes. And often, in a summer cabin, the entry is the easiest place to bring in firewood.

10. Along the log wall

A log wall always looks stunning, so there’s no need to cover it up with a massive coat rack. The lightweight and flexible String coat rack system can expand or shrink according to your needs.