Don't get me wrong, moving out of your family home into an apartment or dorm is great. But there are drawbacks. After all, you downsize hugely and often find yourself with less personal space than before — sharing a rental is never plain sailing. Don't fret, though. You don't need a Carrie Bradshaw walk-in wardrobe to be happy (though it would help) or a huge bedroom to keep your life in order. Whether it's investing in some genius closet organizers or reading up on bedroom storage techniques, there are plenty of ways to alleviate a gargantuan clothing collection (guilty as charged).
It seems obvious now, but the clothes rack, in particular, saved me. Yep, it turns out my life wasn't missing Miss Bradshaw's behemoth storage room, but rather a handy rack that wouldn't hog precious floor space. Fortunately for you, I'm sharing the fruits of my research. Go ahead. Dive into a carefully curated pick that spans the eternally trending industrial racks to portable and rolling options, plus wooden or heavy-duty pieces. Shoppers love the picks I've featured below and trust me when I say that you will, too.
The best clothes racks for closet-free living
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The prices in this guide were correct at the time of publishing.
Size (in.): H59.62 x W28.5 x D16.25
Made from: Metal
Price: $45.97
Fitted with an ever-handy set of wheels, this golden wonder is a welcome addition to any neutral bedroom in need of some glamour. With stoppers on each side of its top rail to prevent falling clothes, the design is made with sturdy metal, offering an elegant aesthetic and functional performance. According to shoppers, it's more than capable of handling big collections — indeed, one reviewer was able to fit 50 hangers on each rail. Plus, that space at the bottom is a winner for shoe fans.
Size (in.): H55 x W43 x D16 (at its largest)
Made from: Metal
Price: From $44.99
If you need a quick and mobile clothing rack, then this extendable design is just the ticket. With an adjustable length and width, it's constructed from premium stainless steel and can handle the slipperiest of clothes hangers. Saving you space when it's out of use, it reduces to a tiny, storable size, ideal for anyone big on traveling or not sure of their bedroom's capacity. One shopper could fit it into their bag when it was packed down. Perfect.
Size (in.): H59.8 x W39.6 x D16.1
Made from: Metal
Price: From $89.99
Sometimes, a clothes rack alone doesn't cut it. I think I speak for all of us when I say that a few extra spots for less-worn sweaters and accessories wouldn't go amiss. Fortunately, this comes with four shelves for just that. Equally, you could use these as spots to decorate your rack, peppering the set-up with house plants and decor. Oh, and before you fret, reviewers found its assembly a breeze.
Size (in.): H74 x W37 X D1
Made from: Metal
Price: from $79.75
Your search for a bedroom centerpiece ends with this retro clothes rack, constructed from exceptionally hardwearing iron. Offering plenty of room for your clothes, it's a piece of cake to put together, according to shoppers. In terms of aesthetics, the pared-back, old-school feel immediately injects character and charm into an otherwise sanitized apartment. Just check your landlord is cool with it, though! If that's you, time to buy.
Size (in.): H66.93 x W29.53 x D17.72
Made from: Wood
Price: From $129
Made from bamboo (a renewable material, FYI) and finished in a cool, blonde tone, this is ideal for you IYKYK fashionistas out there keen to showcase your uber-rare threads. Acting like a curated display, it features a handy spot below to store your footwear, too. The set-up means you can imagine each look before trying it on. As shoppers point out, this works brilliantly as an additional extra to your wardrobe or for living between spaces — college students, take note.
Size (in.): H55.1 x W21.3 x D18.3
Made from: Metal
Price: From $45.99
Small but mighty, this won't take up scarce floor space in your dorm, and it looks the part, too. Built with durable tubing, the A-frame design works wonders as a helping hand or college-life essential thanks to its easy assembly and take-down. Where buyers are concerned, it's perfect for temporary storage or smaller clothing collections, and stores away efficiently when out of use.
Size (in.): H61.81 x W43.31 x D18.11
Made from: Metal
Price: From $58.99
Look, you don't have to pick the pink — it comes in black and white, too — but you really should. Besides nailing the Barbiecore trend, it will brighten up your bedroom. As for the details, this delivers, serving up enough space for 47 standard-size hangers or 19 suit coat hangers. Made from high-quality iron, it's also a breeze to move around, ideal for picky people such as myself. Going off shoppers' verdicts, your clothes are in safe and sturdy hands.
Size (in.): H59.5 x W47 x D17
Made from: Metal
Price: From $179.99
When your clothes rack is made from industrial-standard pipes and fittings, you can trust it's built to last. Cut to size, this design has a powder coat in gold that's sure to last through the years and changing trends. The best part? The brand can cut the piping to any size you wish, so do enquire if your needs are specific. And yes, reviewers were pleased, to say the least, praising it for its hardy construction.
Size (in.): H60 x W59 x D15
Made from: MDF and metal
Price: From $109.99
Another heavy-duty option, it's giving farmhouse chic with a touch of reclaimed-industrial decor. With six shelves spread across the construction, it's nonetheless understated, perfect for someone finessing their first-time buy or housing their threads without a wardrobe. Oh, and buyers were quick to note its easy-cleaning and set-up credentials — always music to my ears. At that price, you're getting serious bang for your buck.
How do you make a clothing rack look good in a room?
It's a good question to consider before picking yours. Clothing racks are big enough to make a statement in your bedroom, so getting the vibe right counts. Monica Friel, a pioneer in the professional organizing sector and founder of Chaos to Order gave some pointers. First and foremost, she emphasizes the importance of curating your wardrobe — remember, this is a showcase of your style. "When a clothing rack is filled with a menagerie of random clothes, it’s hard to make it look very good," she says. "Make sure the hangers are all uniform — that will give some visual consistency. Then organize the clothes by color, light to dark usually looks best."
How do I maximize my clothing rack?
Luckily, organization cognoscenti Monica Friel was able to offer her wise words. She advises being "very judicious about what you keep on it." That means if it's a rarely worn T-shirt or that sweater you never really liked, pop it in a drawer or — even better — recycle or donate it. "Don’t keep empty hangers on the clothing rack, and use good, thin hangers so you can fit as much as possible," she adds. There you have it. Edit and distill!
How we chose these clothes racks
Ultimately, your voice matters the most, which is why we sourced a list of only well-reviewed products that have genuinely improved shoppers' lives. While we're still yet to test the furniture ourselves, you can trust the reviewers to give an honest report on the product. As such, we've handpicked each one, checking it does indeed match its purported function. And it goes without saying: none of them scored lower than four stars.
Where to buy clothes racks
Still not found your perfect clothes rack? Don't sweat it. Head to our trusted pick of retailers below for the best in the game.
- Amazon clothes racks
- Etsy clothes racks
- Target clothes racks
- Urban Outfitters clothes racks
- Walmart clothes racks
Next up: The apartment decluttering hacks to try right now