Clothes racks with shelves

How to choose a clothes rack with shelves

Count your hangers. A compact clothes rack around 28 inches wide holds 30-odd garments; a double-rod garment rack around 43 to 47 inches wide takes far more and separates shirts from long coats and dresses. Then look at the shelves: a mesh bottom shelf holds shoes and bags, while tall racks with multiple shelves replace a dresser as well as a closet.

Height matters too. Racks around 59 to 66 inches tall fit long dresses and coats without them pooling on the floor; tall 79-inch frames add shelves above the rod for boxes and bags.

Sturdy frames and tipping

A clothing rack is only useful if it stays upright when it is full. Look for thick metal uprights, a wide base and a stated load capacity. Lockable wheels let you roll the rack out for cleaning, then hold it in place. Keep heavy coats near the uprights instead of in the middle of the rod, and the frame stays straight.

Where a clothing rack works best

Bedrooms without a closet, guest rooms, dorm rooms and small apartments are the obvious places. An entryway rack keeps coats, bags and shoes in one spot by the door. In a laundry room, a rolling rack takes shirts straight from the dryer to the hanger. Kids' racks at a lower height let little ones pick their own outfits and help keep mornings less stressful.

Clothing racks help make for less stressful mornings

When outfits are visible, getting dressed takes minutes instead of a search. A rack with shelves keeps tomorrow's clothes, the bag you need and the shoes that match all in view — the simplest organization upgrade a small room can get.

Some tips to consider

• Count hangers before you choose a width.
• Lock the wheels before loading the rail.
• Keep heavy coats near the uprights.
• Use the bottom shelf for shoes and bags.