What can I do about my Old-fashioned Clothes Rack?

I moved into an old fixer-upper that had an old-fashioned, rolling (OMG, I don't even know what to call it) clothes rack in it. It is large and steel with a wood shelf above the casters. It is quite long. I wonder whether it is an antique. My problem is, since I don't think it will be moved any time soon, I do not know how to decorate around it to make this spare room it is in into a clothes closet. Does anyone else have one? What should I do please?
  9 answers
  • William William on Mar 07, 2017

    Could you post a photo?

  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Mar 08, 2017

    You can paint it to match the decor in the room and then it won't stand out- chalk paint sticks to almost every surface. You can embrace the uniqueness of it- you've got a one of a kind

  • Chrystine Dimitry Chrystine Dimitry on Mar 08, 2017

    I would leave it alone. If I could see a photo, I could tell you if it is indeed an antique. Painting it would destroy its value, if it is.


  • Sharon Garren Merrill Sharon Garren Merrill on Mar 22, 2017

    Hang photos from it and a family banner with maybe a few baby clothes you saved from yourself or your kids.

  • Prb22020114 Prb22020114 on Mar 26, 2017

    I have a rolling clothes hanger for extra clothes I changed it into a boot hanging closet I keep the hangers from store that have clips on them and clip each pair and hang no more looking and digging for boots

  • Erin Erin on Mar 30, 2017

    If you're turning that room into a closet, you're already on your way since that's a clothes rack.

    You could use it to put out the outfits you plan to wear to work that week, including shoes. That way you don't have to think about it the rest of the week.

    You could use it to hang clothes worn that week so they're not laying in piles on the floor.

    You could hang worn dry clean only clothes there so you will know when you need to make a dry cleaner trip.

    You could hang your prettiest clothes on it as if they were art pieces so you can admire them even when you're not going to wear them.

    You can hang off season clothes on the rack so they're out of the way but still accessible.

    I'd have been thrilled to inherit a rack like that! It's also a great place to hang extra coats when you have guests visiting.

  • Nope. The room is only walk-in closet-sized. See pics. Thanks for your comments though.

  • Erin Erin on Mar 30, 2017

    Looks like it needs a bit of a clean up but still useful. If there isn't any other hanging racks, I'd consider getting another one.

  • Gail Gail on Mar 31, 2017

    I expanded a bathroom by taking space from a small bedroom, then turned the bedroom into a closet...a large old wooden clothes rack, a painted armoire, some built-in shelving for shoes. Added an antique crystal chandelier and a cowhide rug.