March 12, 2026, 4:22 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
When temperatures rise and spring approaches, the thick winter coat usually goes back into the closet. However, down coats and bulky jackets pose a problem for many households: They take up a lot of space and often block a large part of the clothes rack. A Japanese trick, however, ensures that even bulky winter coats can be stored much more compactly.
Why Winter Coats Take Up So Much Space
Winter coats are often made from thick materials, frequently lined or filled with down, making them significantly bulkier than other garments. Hanging several side by side quickly fills up the clothes rack.
Many people simply leave their coats hanging for months. This has two drawbacks: Valuable storage space is lost, and the closet quickly becomes cluttered. Especially during seasonal changes, it’s worth storing winter clothing compactly and bringing it out again only for the next cold season.
Folding Coats into Compact Packages
The trick is to fold winter coats like a package. Instead of hanging them wide on a hanger, they are folded to take up as little volume as possible.
Here’s how the method works:
- Lay the coat flat on a smooth surface
- Fold the sleeves inward
- Then fold the coat multiple times until a compact rectangle is formed.
- This “package” can then be placed upright in a box or in the closet.
The advantage is that several coats can be placed side by side, taking up less space. On the clothes rack, they would take up a lot of space both in width and length.
More Clarity in the Closet
An additional advantage of the Japanese trick is better clarity. When coats and jackets are stored upright next to each other, it’s immediately visible which piece is where. You don’t have to pull out several garments to find the desired coat.
A similar principle is known from other Japanese organization systems: Clothing is folded so that it can stand upright next to each other and not be stacked. This keeps the contents of drawers or boxes clear and easily accessible.
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What to Consider Before Storing
Before storing winter coats for several months, they should be prepared. It is recommended to have them professionally cleaned or at least thoroughly aired out. Even if the coats appear clean, sweat residues or skin particles can remain in the fabric, which attract moths.
The storage location also plays a role. Dry and rather cool rooms with stable temperatures are ideal. Damp basements or overly heated attics are less suitable for delicate textiles.
When Hanging is Still More Sensible
As practical as the folding technique is, it is not suitable for every material. Particularly delicate items, such as coats made of leather or natural wool, can lose their shape if compressed too much. In such cases, it’s better to store the clothing on a sturdy hanger.