Are coat closets passé?

4 years ago

We’re looking into new homes. None have coat closets in entryway. I’m in a warmer climate that you need light jackets in winter. I like a coast closet where I keep my shoes when we enter and our jackets. None of these new homes have them. There’s not even a place for a coat rack.Barely room for an entry table but I think one would fit. In fact, there’s no linen closet on main floor either alrhough the laundry room has space for me to build one or put in a free standing unit. Here’s a picture of model. Opinions? Am I being too critical 2nd picture shows entry door First photo is showing family room side of entryway with half Wall

Featured Answer

Kirsten E.

4 years ago

I don’t think extra storage can ever be out of date, but it does seem to be an after thought in a lot of spec homes I’ve toured. Tis a shame.

Comments (14)

ShadyWillowFarm
4 years ago
I’m with you. It’s best to have storage for your stuff close by, otherwise it gets tossed and lost. It’s a lovely house. Are you sure you will mostly be coming in the front door? We use our back door 100% of the time.
decormyhomepls thanked ShadyWillowFarm
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IdaClaire
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I wouldn't want to be without one. We didn't have one in our previous home, built in 1940, and ended up storing coats and other items in various bedroom closets. Our current home is 5 years old and has a big walk-in closet in the foyer that extends under the stairs. It's vital, as far as I'm concerned. I'm surprised this isn't a feature in all new homes, and seems like a way for builders to "cheap out" at the expense of convenience for their buyers.
decormyhomepls thanked IdaClaire
Lyndee Lee
4 years ago
If this is a warm climate home, is it on a slab foundation? I'm presuming it has no basement. If that was my house, I would put in an under stairway cabinet, just to have a place to stash the vacuum cleaner and the Christmas tree, as well as jackets and umbrellas.

I lived for 26 years in a house with no coat closet, in a cold climate. The original tiny entry closet by the side door had been converted to a pantry and there was no space in the foyer for a anything except a coat tree. I don't care about the climate, lack of entry closet is a major goof in my book!
decormyhomepls thanked Lyndee Lee
roarah
4 years ago
New homes near me seam to have coat closets closer to back doors or back mudrooms rather than front hall closets. I am in New England so most homes old or new have space allotted for coat and boots.
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User
4 years ago
They have mudrooms now instead of coat closets IMO
decormyhomepls thanked User
Zalco/bring back Sophie!
4 years ago
I have a mudroom instead of a coat closet. Blah ... it's not as though a coat closet would have cost much extra.
decormyhomepls thanked Zalco/bring back Sophie!
decormyhomepls
Original Author
4 years ago
We like the house, development and amenities but they really didn’t think about storage As Shady suggested, we most likely will come in through garage and I could have hooks in laundry room for jackets and a basket for shoes There’s a linen closet upstairs (with the 3 bedrooms) and master is downstairs To me, the lack of closets (entry and linen) in many of the new builds is a big mistake.
RNmomof2 zone 5
4 years ago
We see this often on house plans people post. So even architects don't see them as a necessity.

I organized our back coat closet yesterday and sadly each of us had ~ 6-8 coats in it. Dress coats in front coat closet. That's what happens when you live where there are 4 seasons! Where would these go if no closets?
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User
4 years ago
When we looked at floor plans none of them had closets by the door. I was shocked.
decormyhomepls thanked User
PRO
JudyG Designs
4 years ago
Why a house would be built without a closet is a mystery to me…warm climate or not, guests arrive with various sundries which need a temporary spot to store.

The space between the front windows….a good spot for a great armoire:
kriii
4 years ago
A coat closet by the front door is critical IMHO. Even in warm climates a spot for rain jackets etc is important.
decormyhomepls thanked kriii
mle0782
4 years ago
Guess it depends on how you use your home. I have always lived where there are 4 seasons and with kids/dogs and grown up guests who, yes, enter thru the front door, do so I can’t imagine not having a closet somewhere by the front door. We also have one by the back back garage entrance in a mud area for kid coats and shoes, dogs leashes etc. The more storage space, the better!!!
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Ephma
4 years ago
That’s strange to me! Even if you have a mudroom, what to do if you have a party? I certainly wouldn’t want to shlep everyone’s coats to the mudroom.