Coat Hook

Using Coat Racks and Vintage Clothing in Modern Decor

When most people think of coat racks, they think strictly of hanging coats, hats, and scarves. But coat racks can be a lot more than just a place to keep clutter off the floor. They can also provide you with an opportunity to display your own, unique decorating tastes.

One of my favorite ways to decorate with coat racks is to display vintage clothing on them. Wall-mounted coat racks work particularly well for displaying vintage hats and bonnets. And floor-mounted coat racks are a natural for cloaks, gowns, shawls and scarves.

Don’t go cheap when using coat racks as a decorating accent. True, you can pick up a generic wall-mounted coat rack for under $10 and a floor-standing one for under $30. But if your goal is to create an eye-catching accent, don’t expect a cheap one to have the effect you want.

Bent wood, rattan, wrought iron, or brass give you the best eye appeal in a floor-standing coat rack. And look for furniture-quality solid hardwood in wall-mounted coat racks. Don’t settle for generic, dime-store coat hooks on your coat rack when you can easily combine the beauty of brass and porcelain or get the rustic strength of wrought iron.

You can find wall-mounted coat racks with rosemaling, or other styles of decorative painting. These always add to your accent, as do such features as a plate rack or decorative shelf on top that allows you to display other collectibles.

And a mirror, whether etched or plain, on your wall-mounted coat rack is always a big plus. Not only does it enhance the beauty of your accent, but it provides a much appreciated service to your guests of letting them check their appearance after coming in from outdoors.

As for finding vintage hats or clothing for your coat rack, here are some places to try.

Most larger cities have at least one vintage clothing store available. You can also find vintage clothing in many estate sales. And more and more second-hand stores gather vintage clothing donated to them into a special area.

Or you can look for reproduction vintage clothing and hats from merchants who specialize in supplying the participants of living history events with clothing and items from daily life of the eras these participants portray.

I’ve found Renaissance festivals and Civil War Reenactments to be especially rich sources of quality reproduction vintage clothing (and many other interesting items useful for decorating).Both events attract a large number or merchants who specialize in reproduction vintage clothing and other items of those times. And you can find many of these merchants on the Internet, as well.

Be aware, though, that while you can usually find a greater variety of items through these merchants in brand new condition, the prices for reproductions can be expensive because of the amount of labor involved in faithfully reproducing construction techniques from a pre-mass production era.

In looking for vintage hats to display on a wall-mounted coat rack, you can either go for a single era, or go eclectic with vintage hats from a number of eras and styles. And don’t forget the eye appeal of including one hat in your collection that drapes a ribbon down beneath. Or consider dangling a vintage umbrella or cane from one hook to create various lengths of items hung from your coat rack.

And the hats you use don’t necessarily need to be formal. Some of the most effective hats I’ve found for decorating have been the well-worn, but extremely unique, vintage hats of everyday laborers.

For a floor-standing coat rack, avoid reproduction or vintage clothing that really needs a hanger for it to look its best. Look instead for drapey items such as cloaks, gowns, shawls, and scarves. Experiment with interweaving a colorful scarf or shawl among dark and elegant formal wear.

Or try hanging a coat or gown by the shoulder instead of by the collar for a casual, asymmetrical look. Include a vintage purse. Or, depending on the effect you want to create, consider the effect that draping some vintage silk stockings or lingerie could add to the accent you create.

The options are endless when it comes to combining coat racks and vintage clothing. Just use a quality coat rack that does justice to what you display and let your imagination, and your decorating taste, be your guide in selecting items to display on it.

About the Author

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Fionn Regan – Coat Hook

Coat Rack/Stand in Satin Black Metal Spider Style $13.00 This is a brand new in box stain black finish metal spider coat rack that branches into 4 hangers pointing to the top, 4 hangers at the top, and 4 hangers at the mid-base of the stand. The rack also stands on 4 strong legs at the bottom, leveled for evened positioning and placement. (This item requires simple assembly) Dimensions Measure: 20″L x 20″W x 73″H…

Fox Run Expanding Beechwood Coffee Mug Wall Rack $10.16 This expanding Beechwood Wall Rack by Fox Run Craftsmen is great for storing/displaying hats, coats, and mugs. With its beautiful beechwood finish, this rack is sure to enhance any d?cor and with 13 hooks, you can make the most out of your available space. Put things within easy reach with this rack that extends up to 3 1/2 feet……

Frenchi Furniture Swivel Coat Rack Stand in Cherry Finish $9.80 Your organized home starts at the door and this collection of coat racks offers you your choice of stylish storage solutions. Give guests a warm welcome when you place a coat rack in your hall or entryway, or make the most of a compact space by tucking one into a corner of your living room. Features like spinning tops, double and triple tiered hooks and umbrella stand bases enhance the functionali…

Safco 4221MH – Wood Wall Rack, 4 Hook, Mahogany $44.16 Designed to add style and functionality to your office or reception area. Includes an integrated shelf to hold your personal items. Cone-shaped hooks protect your garments. Hanger/Hook Type: Hook; Width: 24 in; Depth: 4 in; Height: 4 3/4 in….

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Artistic Products T1309 – Coat Clip, Double-Sided Hook, 2 3/4 x 4 3/4, Polished Brass $21.71 Versatile, space-saving hook transforms wall space into convenient storage for coats, hats, accessories or office items. Fits over partitions and doors 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 thick. Strong enough to hold bulky garments. Panel Accessory Type: Double-Sided Garment Hook; Double Garment Hook; Width: 2 3/4 in; Depth: 1 1/2 in; Maximum Depth: N/A….

Walleye Live Bait Tactics $29.95 Walleye Live Bait Tactics discusses river locations and the proper vertical jigging techniques. During this segment you’ll also find out how to “Jig Down and Troll Up” to increase your fishing time. The video covers how to use live bait snells and spinners using a bottom bouncer. This technique works in lakes and reservoirs throughout the year. There is new information on how to use GPS to increas…

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Baltimore Ravens 7 Wall Hook $12.99 Hang out with some of your favorite team mascots! Mascot wall hooks features official colors and logo. Made of poly-resin and hand-painted with a metal hook at the bottom of the mascots shoe, these wall mounted hooks make a great hat, coat, keys or to hang your coat.

Boston Red Sox Mascot Wall Hooks 7 $12.99 Hang out with some of your favorite team mascot! These Boston Red Sox Mascot Wall Hooks feature the teams official colors and logo. Made of polyresin and hand painted with a metal hook at the bottom of the mascots shoe. These wall mounted hooks make a great hat, coat, keys, toy, anything hanger. Officially licensed by MLB.

Chicago Bears 7 Wall Hook $12.99 Hang out with some of your favorite team mascots! Mascot wall hooks features official colors and logo. Made of poly-resin and hand-painted with a metal hook at the bottom of the mascots shoe, these wall mounted hooks make a great hat, coat, keys or to hang your coat.

Iowa Hawkeyes 7 Wall Hook $12.99 Hang out with some of your favorite team mascots! Mascot wall hooks features official colors and logo. Made of poly-resin and hand-painted with a metal hook at the bottom of the mascots shoe, these wall mounted hooks make a great hat, coat, keys or to hang your coat.

New York Yankees Mascot Wall Hooks 7 $12.99 Hang out with some of your favorite team mascot! These New York Yankees Mascot Wall Hooks feature the teams official colors and logo. Made of polyresin and hand painted with a metal hook at the bottom of the mascots shoe. These wall mounted hooks make a great hat, coat, keys, toy, anything hanger. Officially licensed by MLB.

$7.82 shipped–$7.06 shipped–Stainless Steel Door Hook (Silver) $7.82 A pair of smart and durable stainless steel coat hooks; perfect for your home or office. The ??his and her?? design makes these hooks novel items for couples.

$7.85 shipped–$7.09 shipped–Stainless Steel Door Hook (Silver) $7.85 A pair of smart and durable stainless steel coat hooks; perfect for your home or office. The incheshis and herinches design makes these hooks novel items for couples.

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ALBA Umbrella-Shape Tree-Hook Stand, 68 1/2in.H x 18 7/8in.W x 15in.D, Chrome $174 Designed for areas with limited space! Includes 6 metal coat hangers, 2 coat pegs, 4 hooks and an umbrella stand.

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