How do you store hats on the wall?

Hats are a fun and stylish accessory that can liven up any outfit. While baseball caps and winter beanies are often just tossed on shelves or stuffed in drawers, nicer hats like fedoras, wide-brimmed sun hats, and fascinators require a bit more care. Storing hats properly helps them hold their shape and last longer. Here are some tips for storing hats to keep them looking their best.

Use Hat Stands or Racks

The best way to store nice hats is on stands or racks so the crowns keep their shape. Just like hanging clothing in a closet prevents wrinkles, hanging hats maintains the hats’ structure. Hat stands and racks come in a variety of styles:

• Vertical pole racks let you stack hats one on top of another along a pole. These take up minimal floor space.
• Horizontal hat racks hang from the wall or over a door. The hats sit on pegs or bars so the brims don’t bend.
• Mannequin head racks display hats as if someone is wearing them. The hats perch securely on heads.
• Cap racks have grooves or clips to hold the hats by their brims. The crowns rest vertically so they don’t get smashed.

When shopping for a hat rack or stand, consider your hat styles and collections. Look for options that accommodate different brim widths and crown heights. Racks with fixed pegs or bars may only work for certain hat sizes. Adjustable racks are ideal for storing diverse hat collections neatly together.

Use The Proper Hatboxes

Hatboxes are a classic storage solution to protect hats from dust and damage. The rigid sides prevent crushing, while the lift-off lids make it easy to access hats. Look for hatboxes constructed from acid-free materials to help preserve delicate hats. Some key tips for using hatboxes:

• Line boxes with unbuffered tissue or acid-free packing paper to absorb moisture and prevent rubbing.
• Stuff crown with tissue to hold shape.
• Wrap decorative hatbands in tissue to prevent snagging and fraying.
• Alternate direction of hats to best fit the space.
• Label boxes clearly on the outside so you can identify contents.

If storing multiple historic hats like top hats or bonnets, use individual hatboxes for each so decorations don’t rub against each other. For sturdy modern hats, you can line one large box to neatly store several together.

Use Wall Mounted Shelving

It’s easy to install wall mounted shelving or floating shelves to store hats. This approach helps keep dust off hats and frees up floor and closet space. When arranging hats on shelves:

• Place felt hats crown down so the brims don’t bend.
• Put baseball caps bill first so crowns stay rounded.
• Angle wider brimmed hats toward the wall to support the brim edge.
• Separate each hat with shelves or dividers to prevent rubbing and crushing.

If your hat collection is small, alternate hat direction from left to right to create an appealing visual display. Or line up all the crowns or bills facing the same way for a uniform look. Use bookends to keep hats upright and prevent them from sliding around.

Learn Hat Stacking Techniques

If you have limited storage space, you can stack hats neatly to conserve room. Try these tips for smart hat stacking:

• Place cotton, felt or straw hats upside down so the brim rests on the crown of the hat below.
• Put resilient wool or leather hats right-side up.
• Use hat boxes or sturdy cardboard to separate stacks.
• Don’t stack more than 3 or 4 hats to prevent crushing.
• Store stacks in closets or on shelves, not directly on floor.

Alternate direction of each hat in the stack to distribute weight evenly. And pad thicker hats like winter beanies with tissue between layers. Change the order of the stack periodically so all your hats retain their shape.

Get Creative With Household Items

With a little creativity, you can repurpose household items to store hats:

• Wine racks: Store hats across the rack slots or upright in the compartments.
• Plate stands: Display upright hats in the angled plate slots.
• Coat racks: Hang hats by looped hatbands on free hooks.
• Bookends: Hold hats upright between heavy bookends.
• Cleaning rods: Slide hats onto extra closet rods to keep dust-free.

Always pad wire racks and bookends with fabric or foam to prevent poking holes. And check that any improvised solutions have enough space between hats so brims and crowns don’t bend.

Keep Hats Clean

Proper storage helps keep hats looking their best, but some occasional cleaning is still in order. Here are some tips for tidying up hats:

• Use soft brushes to remove loose dirt and dust. Avoid vacuums which can damage delicate materials.
• Spot clean felt and fabric with damp cloths. Let air dry away from direct sun or heat.
• Steam and shape wool, felt, and straw hats to refresh their look.
• Take hats to a professional hatter for deeper cleaning and reshaping annually.

Before storing clean hats, allow them to fully air out so moisture doesn’t get trapped inside crowns or brims. And check periodically for any signs of bugs or damage so issues can be addressed right away.

Store By Material

Hats come in a range of materials, each with their own care requirements. Keeping similar materials together makes it easier to store hats appropriately:

• Wool: Fold, stack with nap direction consistent.
• Cotton: Refold after wear, use hat stands to retain shape.
• Straw: Store flat or crown down, avoid humidity.
• Felt: Store crown down, away from direct sun.
• Leather: Stuff with tissue, keep conditioned.

Some specific considerations by material:

• Wool: Store at consistent temperature. Protect from moths.
• Cotton: Wash occasionally to prevent grime buildup.
• Straw: Spray lightly with hairspray to reinforce fibers.
• Felt: Spot clean only. Steam or wetting alters shape.
• Leather: Avoid excess heat which can dry out leather.

Grouping hats made of similar fabrics together makes it easy to keep storage conditions ideal.

Conclusion

Hats are stylish accessories that deserve special care. Store them appropriately on hat racks, stands and in hatboxes to best maintain their shape and condition. Alternate direction to prevent indentations. Pad with acid-free tissue to absorb moisture. Keep leather conditioned and wool protected from moths. With some simple planning, even a large hat collection can be neatly stored and displayed.