Yes, the right hangers can make a difference in your closet! This is the tell-all hanger guide to the closet-perplexed.
Nothing says “neat and organized closet” like matching hangers. And while the most important task in maintaining a neat clean closet is to constantly purge and donate clothing you don’t use, it’s the uniform hangers that will finish it off and make it the closet you love opening (or walking into).
They are a worthwhile investment, and it’s a much more affordable one ever since velvet ones became available. They’re a fraction of the price and take up less space than classic wooden ones. Win-win.
And while you’ll still need wooden ones in some areas, less expensive hangers will get the job done in most spots in the home. Read on for specific recommendations and tips for each area of your home.
Before You Start
While it’s tempting to color coordinate your closets with different kids in different colors, we don’t recommend it. Kids grow up so fast and hangers move around. It’s best to stick to one color and style for little kids and another color and style for older kids + adults.
Younger Kids
There are three basic styles that we like for kids. These are good for children ages 2-10 years old. Once they reach size 10 or so they are usually ready to move to adult-size hangers. Always buy more than you need. It’s better to have an extra box in the back of the closet than find out in a year from now that they discontinued the model you bought.
kids –Plastic:
These classic white hangers can last you 20+ years. Try to stick to one brand or company so that they hang uniformly in the closet. Add these clips to easily hang skirts.
kids –Slim Acrylic:
These slim clear acrylic hangers are the modern, clean-looking update to standard plastic hangers. They look beautiful while taking up less space than the plastic ones. There are coordinating skirt hangers, too.
kids –Velvet:
Velvet pros: They are slim, stylish, and take up less space. Velvet cons: They do break faster than plastic. Just imagine every time your son gives his shirt a good tug, there goes the top hook.
The Amazon Basics line is a good option for kid-sized velvet hangers. The best velvet skirt-hangers for kids are the ones that come with metal clips; they work very well. The velvet clips don’t hold the clothing well. You can also use adult velvet skirt-hangers in the same color. They work fine with kid’s skirts since the clips move, and bonus: they grow so fast, the hangers will last longer.
Choose one color throughout all the kids’ closets.
kids –Wood:
Wood hangers are heavier, take up more room and are most costly so we don’t recommend them for kids closets. Pants hangers usually don’t hold pants very well. Rather, you can easily fold the pants in half, and fold it over a regular hanger.
Ages 10+ and Adults
10+ and Adults -Velvet:
This is really the way to go. They’re slim and stylish and keep the clothing on the hanger. Keep in mind that they do break occasionally, but it’s still worth it. Always buy more than you need. The best-priced velvet hangers are available at Costco. This is a great option from Amazon. Expect a few to crack during shipping and don’t get upset! Find the matching skirt-hangers here. These will work much better than the clips that are added to regular ones.
10+ and Adults -Slim Acrylic:
These slim clear acrylic hangers are the modern, clean-looking update to standard plastic hangers. They look beautiful while taking up less space than the plastic ones. There are coordinating skirt hangers, too.
Space Saving Skirt-Hangers:
These are a must! They’re great for similar skirts like uniform skirts, camp skirts, and long skirts. They’re also great for Shabbos skirts that are used less often than the daily skirts. For students and campers with limited closet space, these are especially useful. Find Space Saving Pants Hangers here.
Mens Suits and Coats:
Stick with nice, thick wood hangers. While Wood and brass coat-hangers are preferable in the coat closet to hold up those heavier coats. Velvet will also work.
Tablecloths
Yes, if you have the closet space (may we all be blessed with lots of closets!) then hanging tablecloths is the neatest way to store them. Use your favorite velvet ones or try these sturdy hangers.
Velvet pros: It’s cheaper, more likely to already have them in the house. Velvet cons: They don’t hold up very well to very large or heavy tablecloths.
Steel pros: They’ll hold heavier larger tablecloths and it’s easier to place a tablecloth on and off the hanger (since one side is open).
* Read our post on closet organization (it includes hangers)
Did we cover it all? Comment with your favorite hanger (include a link) or tell us what makes your closet neater!
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