When people think of coat racks almost always the first thing that comes to mind are the tree like things that sit off to the side in entryways from old movies that were used to place hats, coats, umbrellas and canes. While this style of coat rack still exist free standing coat racks have evolved to take on a variety of shapes that are designed to give them versatility with any décor or decorating theme. No matter if you are traditional or ultra modern there are coat racks that will fit perfectly into your home.

The question to ask is can you make use of these types of coat racks in the traditional sense. Do you make use of jackets and coats enough to justify the placement of this type of item? Do you wear hats or do you live in an area where the use of an umbrella is fairly common year round.

These are all questions, which should be asked when looking into the placement of these types of coat racks. While they are not excessively bulky items, they do tend to take up some space since they cannot usually be placed flush with a wall. They do make an attractive conversation piece but if you have limited space, they may not be something for you. You may be better off going with wall mounted coat racks.

There is a variety of materials that are also used for these types of coat racks. They can be made out of wood, metal or even plastic. Plastic coat racks are lightweight and are primarily used for children or used for outdoor purposes. Lightweight metals are usually used for more modern and contemporary designs. Heavier metals are used for more traditional and ornate designs. Wood coat racks can be used for either modern or contemporary design and probably have the greatest versatility when it comes to styles.

These coat racks can be either very thin with a small base and only a few places to put hats and coats or they can be large based and contain two set of hooks one for hats and one for coats. All these designs also come with umbrella or cane storage at the base. However, while even some modern designs have these features they are better suited for the heavier more traditional designs.

These types of coat racks make good conversation pieces and great organizational tools for children's rooms. They are even made in children's sizes and can be used to hang clothing, stuffed animals or even used as a way to sort toys placing a bag on each hook. While the types and kinds of these coat racks vary a bit from style to style, there is something to be said about their ability to add something to the décor of a home. They also have a more practical purpose of allowing coats and such to dry out prior to being put away. There are a number of advantages to having and making use of coat racks in your home.