15 Items You Can Declutter From Your Coat Closet For A More Organized Space

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What's in your coat closet? Oftentimes, the storage space can become a catch-all for many items, from coats to shoes to winter gear. Sometimes it's even a place for your bag of bags or a spot to set your mail before you go through it. Your coat closet is a super convenient area to place items when you just walk in the door, but that means it can quickly become cluttered and disorganized.

But don't worry, you're in the right place (even if that single mitten is not). We've put this list together of items you can remove from your coat closet to create a more organized place. Consider finding your off-season gear a new home, or recycling those paper shopping bags that are just taking up space. It also might be time to go through your umbrellas. You don't really need six, do you? Keep reading for even more items to declutter so your coat closet can become more streamlined and ready for hosting.

That black leather jacket you wore once but never again doesn't need to take up space in your front closet. Same with that trench coat that you haven't worn in forever. Any special jackets you don't wear regularly should find a new home. If one hasn't been worn in a year, it's time to get rid of it.

You definitely don't have to just throw any old jackets away. If you'd like to recoup some of your costs, list them on a site like Facebook Marketplace or Poshmark. It's also a good idea to donate them to your local thrift store. Or, you can check with your local homeless shelter to see if they need any of the items. 

Picture this: it's summer, but your light jackets are in the very back of the coat closet because your big winter coats and gear are crowding your storage space. That doesn't make much sense, does it? That's why you should declutter any and all off-season gear from the front closet, and leave current season items for easy accessibility.

But where do you put that off-season gear? There are a wide variety of ways you can get these clothes and accessories out of the way. For example, to fold and store summer clothes for the winter, you can use plastic bins with lids that fit places like under your bed. It's super important to clean clothes before storing, fold them correctly (or consider rolling them), and then label all the bins clearly so you know what clothes are where. On the other hand, to properly fold and store winter clothes for the summer, consider using space-saving, vacuum-sealed bags, as these garments can be a little bulkier.

We know it's hard to get rid of your favorite jacket even if it's been missing a button for months. But if you're not wearing it, it doesn't need to be in the coat closet. The same goes for sweaters with holes and hats with tears. Even if you had the best intentions to repair the item, either stop putting it off or get rid of it.

If these items aren't too damaged, consider donating them. You can try homeless shelters and other charities. If the garments aren't wearable, check with your local recycling service to see if they have an option to donate end-of-life textiles. But, there are a number of ways to repurpose old clothing in your home and garden if donation isn't possible. A few examples include sewing a pillowcase or quilt, making a dog toy, or even DIYing a tote bag.

How many extra hangers do you have in your closet? Obviously, you need enough hangers for any coats, sweaters, and other clothing items, but beyond that, you don't need many extras unless you typically host large gatherings. And it's officially time to get rid of any broken hangers or low-quality ones from the dry cleaners.

You can always donate your unneeded hangers or sell them. But one of the best things about extra hangers is that they can actually be used to help conserve space in your other closets. You can use a product like Wonder Hanger Hooks to layer them to create space-saving storage, or add clips to a hanger to keep accessories organized and neat. If the majority of your hangers are broken or of poor quality, consider removing them all. Then, replace them with a set like Amazon Basics' Durable Wooden Hangers to give your coat closet a polished look.

The coat closet may seem like the perfect spot to store those paper shopping bags or empty gift bags leftover from Christmas, but you actually might not even need them. One or two spare paper grocery bags can be convenient to have, but you likely don't need twenty. The same goes for the gift bags from Christmas or birthdays. You may think you'll regift them, but they're often forgotten, and before you know it, you have dozens of bags taking up space in the closet.

You can often recycle paper bags if they are clean. Or, you can repurpose paper bags around your home and your garden. You can use paper bags to wrap gifts, protect tables, or even cover books. Sort through your gift bags to discard any that are torn or badly bent. Then, organize them in a flat bin that you can keep with your gift wrap and other special occasion items.

Shoes are some of the first items you take off when you open the door. So, one pair can easily turn into two, or ten. If you have a mountain of shoes in your coat closet, it's time to declutter. First, you'll want to get rid of any shoes that are missing their mate, and be sure to declutter any that are very damaged or dirty.

Depending on the state of your shoes, you may be able to donate them, but sometimes it's better to toss them. After you've gone through all your shoes and decided which ones to keep and which to get rid of, there are a few genius shoe storage ideas that are game-changers for small closets. Consider stacking your shoes or mounting them on a door rack using something like Gorilla Grip's Mesh Shoe Organizer.

If you have a disorganized collection of winter accessories, chances are you aren't using all of them. So, sift through your winter hats and scarves as well, getting rid of any that are damaged or that you just don't wear. A glove or mitten with holes or without its match isn't very useful, so get rid of any singles or torn ones. 

After you've sorted through your gloves and mittens, it's time to get organized. There are a few creative organization tips for winter scarves, hats, and gloves. You can take advantage of the back of the door to keep all your winter gear neat. This Over-the-Door Organizer Storage from JARLINK is a helpful option to keep these small items organized. You can also use cubbies to keep hats, scarves, and mittens together and sorted by family member. There are also a number of ways to upcycle mittens, like using them as cutlery holders or winter decorations.

If you store your extra cleaning supplies in your coat closet, it may be time to go through them all. In general, there are a few things to keep an eye out for when decluttering. Any extra spray bottles that are broken or don't work should be tossed. You'll also want to get rid of old, dirty rags, brooms with smashed or broken bristles, and any duplicate cleaners (like two carpet stain removers).

Sometimes you have to be mindful when getting rid of cleaning supplies. First and foremost, you should read the labels for any product-specific instructions for disposal. You can also check the company or manufacturer's website for further information. The right way to dispose of cleaning products really depends on the item. Be sure to organize any cleaning supplies you are keeping by grouping similar products together and using a caddy or bin to keep them neat and tidy.

Umbrellas are definitely a necessity when it rains, but you don't need a dozen. The front coat closet is a great place to put them, too, but only when they're dry. One of the worst errors you can make with your coat closet is to leave wet items inside.

Pick your favorite few umbrellas to keep in your closet and get rid of the rest. You can always donate any undamaged umbrellas to your local thrift store, or you can repurpose them. Umbrellas aren't just for keeping the rain away. They can serve as decor in your entryway or be disassembled so you can reuse the waterproof fabric for patches or bags. Or, use an umbrella to save money on laundry day by removing the cover and using the frame as a drying rack.

Winter gear like skis, snowboards, and sleds often isn't cheap. So, it's tempting to hold onto these items even if you don't use them or your kids have outgrown them. But they are often also bulky and take up a lot of space. Which is exactly why you should go through these items so you don't waste space in your coat closet.

Any gear that's still in good condition can be donated to charity or thrift stores. If these items aren't too damaged or old, you can also try to resell them. There are also quite a few unique ways to repurpose winter gear, like skis or snowboards. These items can be used as decor or even furniture. If you have gear that you'd still like to keep, look for a more out-of-the-way spot to store it. For example, Fleximount's Overhead Garage Rack allows you to take advantage of often-unused ceiling space.

It's amazing how sunglasses can multiply. Whether you get a promotional pair from a run, or you keep losing pairs and buying more (then finding the old ones), somehow one pair turns to ten. Before you know it, there's a whole shelf dedicated to sunglasses. So, declutter them and only keep a few of your favorite pairs.

Thrift stores are a great place to donate your extra sunglasses. If you have prescription ones that are broken or damaged, your eye doctor may collect them for a charitable organization that recycles them. The sunglasses that you do keep should be kept organized and tidy. By hanging a clear, plastic shelf on the wall for them, you can reduce visual clutter and organize your sunglasses. However, be sure to clean them first using a kit like Koala Lens Cleaner Spray and Microfiber Cloth.

The coat closet is a super common place to store your purses and backpacks. Whether you have kids who toss their school bags toward the closet after school, or you always set your purses there when you head in the door, the front closet can definitely get crowded. The key is to declutter any bags you don't use, and keep the ones that you do use organized.

Donate any that you no longer use and throw any that are damaged into the trash. Even if you get rid of some, giving each handbag or backpack its own hook or hanger just takes up far too much space. Consider space-saving solutions, like adding clips to a hanger so multiple bags can be hung on it together. Or, use hangers like Heavy Duty S Hooks from ESFUN and a tension rod to conveniently store your most often used bags.

If you have a shelf or dresser in your coat closet where you set your mail, it might be time to go through the pile. You get mail nearly every day, and that can add up fast. But before you go dumping it all in the trash can, you should figure out what you need to shred.

It may come as a surprise, but you should actually shred a lot of items you get in the mail. Anything that has personal information like your birthday, driver's license number, credit card or bank information, or your social security number should be shredded. In order to keep your mail organized, mount a designated spot in your front closet (like the EasePres Hanging Wall File) and go through it at least weekly. Adding this simple task to your routine will help keep your home decluttered and help you maintain a clean closet.

Kids grow out of clothes so fast, you definitely should go through their coats and winter gear at least once a year. Especially if you store them in the back of the coat closet. If their jackets don't even fit anymore, they don't need to be taking up needed space.

In order to declutter children's coats, gather them all up and decide which to keep and which to give away. You can donate any jackets that no longer fit, or consider giving them to family, friends, or neighbors with young kids. Many times, schools will also collect gently used jackets for students who are in need or have forgotten them. Then, only store on-season children's coats in the front closet, and keep the rest out of the way. To make it simple for little ones to grab their coats and put them back when they're done, install a product like PickPiff's Self-Adhesive Coat Hook in a spot that they can reach.

Do you keep all your pet supplies in your front closet? If you do, when was the last time you went through them? There are a few reasons why you should get rid of pet products. First, if perishable items like treats or food have expired, you should definitely get rid of them. Also, that harness that actually makes your dog pull more, or that rain jacket that they hate wearing shouldn't take up space in the closet.

However, you can donate pet accessories like gently used harnesses, jackets, or booties. Check with your local humane society or animal shelter to see if they can use them. Then, implement a few storage ideas to keep your pet supplies in order. Use dedicated storage bins for toys and set up a walking station with both hooks and shelves. If you have room, an all-in-one unit like Oukimly's Pet Stuff Organizer can keep your furry friend's essentials neat and tidy.

How many reusable bags are taking up space in your closet? If you're pausing because you're trying to count, it may be too many. Whether you've bought a number of bags in your collection or you've been gifted reusable bags as promotional items, they can add up. Yes, they absolutely come in handy for groceries, but if your stash of bags has started to take over your closet, it's time to declutter.

The first step is to gather them all and go through them. Any bags that you don't use often (maybe they have weird handles or are too small) should go. Consider donating them to your local thrift store or contacting your local food banks to see if they need them. Rather than storing the ones that you've decided to keep in another bag, consider a bin instead. This way, the bags are better contained and more visible.