The Best (And Worst) Types Of Hangers For Your Closet

Without hangers, your entire wardrobe would likely be a disorganized and wrinkled mess. Hangers help keep all your best clothes wrinkle-free and easy to access. While any hanger is better than no hanger at all, some types are better for your closet and clothing than others.

Wooden hangers are often considered the best type of hangers overall, with cedar being particularly great at keeping odors and pests away. Satin hangers are ideal for lace and other fragile garments, while velvet hangers are a good budget-friendly and space-saving option. Cheap acrylic and plastic hangers should be avoided, as they can snap easily and damage your clothing. Wire hangers are also not good, as they can compromise fabric over time.

Hangers are one of the best items to help keep your closet organized, and quality hangers can ensure your best pieces of clothing last for years to come. If you recently moved or want to upgrade the hangers in your closet, then this article is for you. Below is a list of all the top hangers you can buy, and several types you should avoid.

Four Qualities To Consider When Shopping For Hangers

1. Select The Right Size Hangers

While there are standard hanger dimensions, there is no universal size standard. For children’s clothing and narrow closets, you should buy narrower hangers. For large jackets, you may require hangers that can handle more weight and are wider than a typical hanger.

Selecting the best shape and size hangers for your needs is as important as choosing the right material.

2. Choose The Best Materials

When it comes to buying the best types of hangers, quality is usually determined by the material from which it is made. For one, some materials are more durable than others. Cheap plastic and acrylic hangers may cost very little, but they will break far more frequently than solid wood hangers. Consider materials that will hold up over time.

3. Ensure They Protect Your Garments

Many articles of clothing spend the vast majority of their lifespan on hangers. Since they live on hangers, you want to ensure that the hangers are protecting, rather than damaging your clothing. Some hangers are so thin, heavy garments can form lines and even tear where the hanger rests.

Other garments are made of lace and other fragile fabrics, and require hangers that will keep them looking new.

4. Consider Space-Saving Hangers For Smaller Closets

With home prices at all-time highs, many people live in smaller homes than they would like. This usually also means limited clothing storage. If you are looking to maximize your closet space, consider buying some hangers that help you do just that. 

There are multi-tier hangers that allow you to hang up to 5 items. This works great when hanging up leggings, scarves, and slacks. Some hangers can help you fit more clothing without having to change the way you organize your closet.

5. Opt For A Variety Of Hangers

Remember there is not one perfect hanger for everything. Usually it’s wise to buy a variety of hangers. Survey your clothing, and make decisions based on what you want to hang, and how much space you have. This is the best way to choose the best hangers for your closet. With that being said, there are some hangers you should avoid.

Seven Best Types Of Hangers For Your Closet

1. Wooden  

Wooden hangers are considered one of the best hangers you can buy as a “standard” hanger. The main reason people consider wooden hangers one of the best options is their durability. They won’t snap or bend like cheap hangers.

These hangers are also slightly thicker. This allows your clothes to keep their original silhouette, and won’t leave dreaded hanger marks on your fabric.

2. Satin

Some clothing requires extra delicate care. For your most delicate garments, you should use stain hangers. These stuffed hangers are commonly used for clothing made of lace, satin, and other fragile materials. They will help keep your clothing looking new, and won’t snag the fabric if it’s lace or features embellishments.

3. Cedar

Cedar hangers are a premium type of wooden hanger that for a couple of reasons, are ideal for many home closets. First of all, they have all the same durable benefits of any other wooden hanger.

What makes cedar hangers special is that they help keep pests away. Cedar wood is known to help naturally repel mice and some insects. This keep these pests from biting holes and nesting in your fabric. This wood also provides a fresh scent and prevents bad smells from entering your clothing.

4. Felt Or Velvet

If you don’t have the space or budget for wooden hangers, felt or velvet ones can be a good alternative. These hangers are coated with a soft felt that has a luxurious feel to them. It helps keep your garments protected (much better than plastic or wire hangers). 

The material is typically quite durable. They won’t bend or snap like cheap hangers. The felt or velvet material also prevents slipping, which means fewer articles of clothing falling on the floor.

5. Rubberized

Rubberized hangers are another cost-effective and space-saving hanger. While they don’t have the soft and elegant feel of felt or velvet, they are great at gripping clothing. This makes them ideal for hanging garments like tank tops and spaghetti-strapped dresses. Any garment that tends to fall off a hanger can be hung on a rubberized hanger.

6. Multi-Tier

Multi-tier hangers can be made of wood, felt, rubber, or metal. The design usually features a number of horizontal hangers on one hook. This allows you to hang several garments on one hook. These are the ultimate space-savers and a great way to de-clutter your closet. Just remember to buy durable multi-tier hangers, as you want to ensure they can handle the extra weight.

7. Specialty Coat Hangers

Lastly, if you have several coats and jackets, you should ensure they are properly protected. Normal hangers don’t work well for blazers and jackets. They can cause awkward lines, and the jackets can easily slip out of normal hangers. Opt for specialty coat hangers. This will keep the shape of the jacket intact, and will prevent any slippage.

Three Types Of Hangers To Avoid

1. Wire

Wire hangers, like the kind you get from the dry cleaners, can work if you have no other options, but should be kept out of your closet whenever possible. These hangers are thin, which helps with space issues, but their benefits end there.

They are so thin that they can leave lines where the fabric rests on the metal, as the fabrics can stretch over time. They also bend very easily. This can cause them to snag clothes, and have your clothes rest at weird and sloppy angles. These strange angles can also cause clothing to fall on the floor.

2. Cheap Acrylic

Acrylic hangers are popular in department stores. They often have a metal hook, with a cheap acrylic base. While these hangers are fine at stores like Target, they should not be used in your home.

The cheap acrylic bases can snap fairly easily. When they break, they can leave jagged edges, which can rip your garments.

3. Plastic Tubular

Plastic tubular hangers are easy to find in closets because they are readily available and the cheapest type of hanger. If this is the only type of hanger you can afford, then it is better than no hanger at all.

Do your best to phase these hangers out, as they can’t hold much weight, and can also break very easily. Once broken, they can damage nearby garments if they aren’t removed promptly.

Wrapping Up The Best And Worst Hangers For Your Closet

Hangers are essential for clothing organization, but the type of hanger can make or break your closet. Most closets benefit from a variety of hangers, as there is no one “perfect” hanger for all garments. Some of the best hangers worth investing in include cedar and other wooden hangers, velvet or felt hangers, satin hangers, and specialty coat hangers. To optimize your space, opt for some multi-tier hangers. Avoid using wire, plastic, and acrylic hangers, as they can leave marks on clothing. They also tend to bend and break more frequently. 

Related Guides:

• Clever Ways To Store Clothes Without A Closet
• What Is A Cedar Closet? (Plus Its Many Benefits)
• Are Plastic Hangers Recyclable?