The transition seasons are hardest, aren't they? But I would say either store only TWO coats (a lightish one for whichever season you have, and a heavier one for that season) in that closet. At the very least, I would say that wool dress coats should go in the bedrooms; they're probably not used daily. And when you want them (dress-up days), you'll be willing to go get them, probably. (And if you're not, then maybe you don't really need to own them--I do not ever buy my kids, or me, dress coats.) And rain coats can go in the closets, because if you need them, you'll REALLY need them, and you'll be willing to go there to get them. And you probably don't use them *that* often. Or, start storing ALL coats in the bedrooms. At the very least, perhaps you can train yourself to travel all the way into your bedroom before you take your coat off; then it's just the 2 boys. (I bought a Lands End Squall, bcs it's light AND heavy.)

Your ideas are promising, but I also love to play with spaces, so here's some of mine - What about first putting up shelves on the 2.5' wall on the left of the door to help that clutter, maybe with hooks under the bottom one (3' high?) for umbrellas, or a stand there. Then move the coats right to the back along the 3 & 2' walls (in one line vs separated by a door) with shelving above. On the 4' right wall would be a big organizer thingy, either open or closed, for maybe larger items that need storage (aside from what's in there now), and with proper handy racks for shoes - off the floor.

If you're going to move, I'd say replace them if they're in bad shape--do they REALLY have to stay? You'll have a faster sale if prospective buyers don't think they had to redo the bathroom the moment they move in. It's probably the best "spiffing up" money you can spend! Especially if you're going to do part of that bathroom--do it all. Especially the shower--I think that would be a major drawback to someone thinking of buying your place. And a half-done bathroom would be a bigger drawback to me than a totally undone one. In my market, I'm finding that the freshly renovated homes are moving fast, and for good money. Places that seem the tiniest bit worn are sitting--and not selling, even for less, actually. The bathroom would be a BIG bang for the buck.

How much DIY is your family capable of? Is this unit made of maple? If you can order lower doors to match the new kitchen for a reasonable cost and if this would make you feel less at the mercy of the original builder, such a change wouldn't be a big deal. If this wood matches woodwork in other rooms, halls, etc. the suggestion to get new hardware to complement that other woodwork will give it a new feeling. Although the photos of your family are probably very comforting, try rearranging the contents of the display and rotating some of the photos to another spot and take advantage of the existing glass doors to display something that would give the spot a different and new-to-you aspect. A collection? books less than a foot in depth? Just a couple photos and a special object? Dried flowers in a fabulous vase? The reason for this suggestion is to help you detach from the "same old same old" that clings to the spot and thwarts new thinking so that you can make a good decision. Similarly, is there a way to introduce a color that dominates in the living room so that you can get used to this color in the display--such as wallpaper or a painted hunk of posterboard or something? I envy you this unit. We have a similar stairwell closet along a hall, a stupid deep, narrow, inaccessible coat closet with a sloped floor over the basement stairway. If only the builder had been like yours and designed for us a shelf cupboard on the opposite side of the stairs below. I've even considered knocking into the wall in order to get one!