Measure with a coat on
Hold the largest regularly used coat where the hooks might go. Its shoulders, sleeves and pockets project further than the fitting itself. Check the front door can open and that people can walk past without brushing wet fabric. A row behind the door may work only if the coats do not restrict its movement.
Bags behave differently from coats. A long strap can leave a bag low enough to catch knees, while a bulky backpack may project into the passage. Give bags a suitable place instead of assuming every item belongs on the same row.
Choose a reachable arrangement
Place hooks for the people using them. A low row for a child should be considered alongside adult coats above; the two layers may overlap. Avoid putting sharp projections at face height along a tight route. The aim is independent use without making the hallway harder to move through.
Check the load rating and fixing requirements for the hook or rail. The weight of several winter coats and bags can be quite different from a decorative display. Use appropriate fixings for the wall and seek help if its construction is uncertain. Adhesive products should only carry the loads and surfaces their instructions permit.
Compare the hook shape with the garment loops you use. A broad rounded peg may be gentle on fabric but too large for a small hanging loop. A very short hook can release a coat when another is removed. Trying one typical coat against the fitting is more revealing than counting the number of pegs.
Keep the row from becoming a store cupboard
Choose a limit based on the coats currently worn. Out-of-season items and rarely used bags can move elsewhere. More hooks are not always the answer when the hall is congested; they may simply invite a thicker layer of belongings.
Leave enough spacing to remove one coat without pulling down the next. A rail that looks orderly with empty hooks can become a tangled bundle when full. Test the spacing with the actual garments before fixing a long run. A short, well-used row that keeps the door clear is more helpful than a generous arrangement that narrows the entrance every day.
