I'm often asked, ‘What is the one thing every closet should have?’ and the answer is always the same! The secret weapon for a functional closet is without a doubt the valet rod. Every closet needs at least one, and if you have space, the more the merrier! Every client asks for them, and I like to design them to be integrated within the cabinetry for all of our custom projects. This handy little piece of hardware comes in so many shapes, sizes, and variations, and is the perfect place to pack outfits for a trip, place dry hanging or new pieces as they come into the closet, or even to stage your upcoming looks for the week.

The valet rod is a great way to add a whole new level of functionality to any closet. Whether you’re designing from scratch, or looking for a version you can install yourself in an existing closet, you have so many options! Depending on the look you’re going for, they can me as decorative or as minimal as you choose.

What’s so great about this little gadget is that it creates additional, accessible hanging space without taking up space, to fully maximize every inch of closet real estate. You can pull pieces to stage on valet hooks for easier viewing, as a reminder to try on, or simply as a way to merchandise the space with some of your wardrobe favorites! Valet rods come in 3 basic varieties — stationary, telescoping, and folding. Depending on your situation, use the following rules of thumb to find your new favorite closet accessory!

Stationary Rods + Hooks

The most retail-inspired version of the valet rod is the stationary rod! Often you’ll find these in display designs or boutique dressing rooms. They’re great because they are sturdy and fixed in place, meaning they can offer the most amount of additional hanging. If you’re looking to hang lots of items on your valet rods, you might want to opt for one of these! They’re great for stacking several pieces front-to-back — perhaps all your outfits for the week, or a place to hang a selection of pieces to pack for vacation. If you really plan to load up on staging space, this will be your best bet!

Telescoping Rods

The telescoping valet hook is the most common choice for our clients, as it can be so cleverly disguised in custom cabinetry! We are able to notch out the cabinetry in a way that completely conceals the valet rod, so it can be easily retracted when not in use. If you want the cleanest, most custom-looking solution, this is the valet rod for you! Not designing a new closet? No worries — there are even side-mounted telescoping rods available that can be installed to any existing closet! These will give you all the same functionality as a custom valet hook, you’ll just see the exposed mounting hardware, so be sure to mount in an area of the closet where it’s less noticeable. While these won’t be able to withstand the same amount of hanging as a fixed valet rod, they’ll still give you a lot of extra space, and are available in several lengths depending on your needs!

Folding Hooks

Perhaps the easiest to integrate, a folding valet hook is also a great option to add a little functionality to an existing closet! These can be installed with minimal investment to pretty much any surface in your closet (or any room for that matter), and are a great way to add a discreet spot to hang a couple of items or dry cleaning! You can never have too much storage, so adding a little flexible gadget like this is always a good idea, since it can be folded away whenever you aren’t using it. Check out our rose gold plated hook as part of our capsule collection for a little added luxe!