| If you're interested in antique coat racks, you have a | | | | worked well in the large spaces available. |
| very wide range of designs and eras to choose from. | | | | If you need something smaller, look to the Victorians. |
| Clothes closets are a relatively recent invention; before | | | | Coat racks at this time took the form of the gracious |
| the 20th century, most homes used pegs, freestanding | | | | tall lamp stand style, with multiple curving hooks at the |
| racks, and clothes chests to store all their linens and | | | | top; if not made well, these coat racks were prone to |
| clothing. One of these freestanding racks was the | | | | tipping over, but they worked beautifully in small |
| humble coat rack, which often became quite ornate. | | | | spaces and corners. A few were made so that the |
| In older homes, antique coat racks may be particularly | | | | top part with hooks swiveled, making it simple to reach |
| appropriate. These old houses don't have coat closets | | | | the coat you wanted. You'll also find examples of |
| near the door, so you'll need a place to store coats | | | | these coat racks with umbrella stands at the bottom, |
| anyway - and a beautiful restored antique coat rack | | | | giving you an additional option for storage; just examine |
| may be the perfect touch to complete your foyer or | | | | these carefully, as poorly made umbrella stands don't |
| entryway. After all, older homes were designed with | | | | allow adequately for drainage and may suffer from rot |
| extra space in this area in consideration of the need | | | | or other damage. |
| for coat racks. | | | | You may want to think about something else when |
| Your choice in antique coat racks depends heavily on | | | | you're going with an antique coat rack. Consider: what |
| what impression you want visitors to have of your | | | | Victorian coat rack is complete without a men's bowler |
| home. In gracious old plantation homes, coat racks | | | | hat on it? Or if you're a mystery movie fan, what |
| were often built into an all-in-one sort of hallway | | | | about vintage coats and hats reminiscent of those |
| furnishing that functioned as a wooden bench, a place | | | | films you love? The great thing about coat racks: they |
| to brace your feet when putting on boots, storage | | | | don't have to be just about a place to hang your hat |
| under the bench (usually cedar so wools could safely | | | | and coat. They can be lovely decorating statements. |
| be stored without fear of moths), a mirror, a shelf or | | | | Can't find the perfect antique coat rack? Find the one |
| multiple shelves for calling cards, and along the top | | | | you like best in pictures, and look for a craftsman to |
| below the mirror pegs for coats. Some also had an | | | | build it for you. There are plenty of skilled furniture |
| umbrella stand built in on the side. | | | | makers who specialize in antique replicas who can |
| The problem with coat racks of this sort is that they | | | | help you not just create a good lookalike, but even use |
| are very large and bulky. Plantation homes traditionally | | | | the same methods and materials in creating it, ensuring |
| had wide, airy halls with high ceilings to encourage air | | | | you a truly quality piece for your home. |
| flow, keeping the home cool; these large pieces | | | | |