Two Ways to Have a Tidy Coatrack

Dear Katie & Kelly: Our coatrack in our mudroom always looks like a jungle. How do I keep it from being a disaster? I’m afraid the coat rack is going to fall off the wall … because it DID once! Signed: Tarzan in Topeka.

Dear Tarzan: You tame the jungle by taming the “beasts” who make it so. Remind people to put their coats in the actual closet and be mean about it. Seriously, the coatrack is one of the most abused pieces of furniture in every home. Defend it! The only way our clients have been able to keep coatracks clean is (1) a One coat/One hook policy or (2) labeled personalized hooks. The former is the best way to go if being “mean” comes easily to you. Had a bad day and come home to a jungle? Unload your furious roar and eventually they’ll adhere to the One coat/One hook policy to prevent future tirades and you’ll get your aggression out for the day. Two birds, one stone. If that’s not your groove, then go the latter route. Labels help you see who is good at adhering to direction, who is not and frankly who is the “beast” to blame for the jungle. This way you can focus all of your efforts on them. All Our Best! Katie & Kelly P.S. Next time your rack falls down — Rome wasn’t built in a day — use glue and nails when rehanging.