17 Hat Storage Ideas

I am on a (seemingly!) never-ending pursuit of organizing my house. Now that my linen closet and wardrobe are in an organized enough state, the next area I want to focus on is hats. 

My husband has saved the baseball hats from his college visits that occurred 20 years ago, and he has deemed them nostalgic and worthy of saving. So, I’ve made it my mission to store them as effectively as possible. 

Hats are one of the trickiest items to store and organize, owing to their awkward and bulky nature. Proper hat storage will help to keep your space neat, prevent damage, and ultimately ensure the longevity of your hats. 

Sneakerthrone notes, “Proper hat storage is not just a matter of tidiness; it is essential for preserving the quality, shape, and longevity of your hats.” (source)

If you are on an organizing mission like I am, these hat storage ideas will come in handy for you! 

What to Consider for Hat Storage Ideas

In preparation for storing your hats, you’ll want to consider the quantity and types of hats in your hat collection, your living space, and your desired goals.

Size and Capacity of Your Hat Collection

Do you have 20 baseball hats that need to be organized? Or 10 beanie hats for winter? The amount of hats and hat types will inform which storage ideas will work for you. 

Hats like baseball hats, wide-brimmed sun hats, and cowboy hats require ample space so they are not smushed. Soft hats like beanies and winter hats can easily be stored on top of one another, but snagging will be a major concern, so choose a bin with smooth sides. 

In the list below, I have included hat storage ideas suitable for all sorts of hats, so you are able to mix and match the best hat storage solution for your collection.

Living Space

Do you live in a small apartment with limited storage? Or perhaps you have a whole closet dedicated to hats and accessories? 

There are a lot of creative options for small spaces. Over-the-door racks, shelves within closets, and even stacking boxes within shelves are space-conscious hat storage solutions. 

If you have more space or perhaps want to see some of your favorite hats on display, consider an intentional display to add flair to your living space. 

Your living space and the space you can dedicate to hat storage will inform which hat storage idea is best for you.

Material of Hat Organizer

The material of the hat organizer will impact its cost, durability, and what type of hat it’s best suited to store.

Options made with cloth, straps, and clips are best for hats that are harder to damage, such as baseball hats. 

Hooks are a budget-friendly way to store hats, but they are less stable and they invite the possibility of snags, so they are not suited to delicate hats that are easily snagged.

Desired Goal

Are you looking for a visually pleasing display, seasonal storage ideas, a grab-and-go solution, or a combination of these options? Your desired goal will help to inform which hat storage ideas are best for you.

Hat Storage Ideas by Hat Type

Different hat types benefit from personalized storage solutions. For example, soft beanies will store well when laid vertically in a box, whereas sun hats need a larger space with firm sides to prevent being smashed.

Baseball Hat Storage

The baseball hat is synonymous with American tradition and is one of the most common hat types in the world (source). 

Chances are that if you or someone in your household owns just one hat or only a few, it is a baseball hat. 

Baseball hats are awkward and bulky to store. You’ll want to ensure the cap is protected from being smushed and that you have ample space for the brim. 

• Hat Rack for Baseball Caps: This is a great option for hanging in a closet. Baseball hats are easy to access and to clip back on the rack after use.  
• Perfect Curve CapRack 18 Over-The-Door Hat Rack and Organizer: A great space-saving option as this rack rests over the door. 
• Hat Storage: Great for off-season storage or for more precious baseball hats that do not need to be as readily accessible for grab-and-go situations. 

Beanies, Berets, and other Soft Hat Storage

The beanie market is expected to expand significantly, so chances are that you might need beanie storage ideas (source)! 

Beanies are soft, easy to maneuver, and store well laid flat within a bin. Ensure the bin has smooth sides to prevent snagging.

Fedoras

Fedoras gained popularity in the 1920s and 1930s and are a symbol of assertiveness and liberation. They require specialized storage as they need protection from being smushed. 

This rack offers each fedora ample space to protect it from friction or other heavy items. 

Cowboy Hats, Sun Hats, and Wide-Brimmed Straw Hats

Cowboy hats, sun hats, and wide-brimmed straw hats bring a smile to my face. They are reminiscent of sunny days at the beach, pool, or outside in nature. They require perhaps the most storage space owing to their larger size and wide brims. 

This hat box can be used as storage or as a travel box for your hat. It provides enough space to hold your hat and has straps to keep the hat snug within the box to avoid unnecessary sliding. 

Hat Storage Ideas by Storage Solution

Your space, budget, preferences, or on-hand items will indicate the best hat storage solution for you.

Back-of-Door Hat Storage

Back-of-door hat racks are ideal for small spaces like apartments or dorm rooms or if you want the hats out of sight. They are ideal for smaller hats, such as baseball hats, as space will be limited depending on what else is in the closet. 

Boasting over 70,000 reviews, this is Amazon’s #1 best seller in hat racks. Reviewers rave that it’s easy to assemble and install and it’s a great space saver. 

Hat Bags

Hat storage bags are ideal if the hat collection may need to be moved around, for example, to a storage unit or basement. The handle offers a seamless carrying solution.

The clear material lets you easily spot the hat you are looking for, so you don’t have to dig through a bag. 

Hat Boxes

Hat boxes are great for hats that require a lot of space, like sun hats or fedoras. 

3-Piece Hat Box offers a retro-chic flair and will look nice whether it is stored on a shelf within a closet or in a more visible location, like on top of a dresser. 

Closet Hat Storage

Shelf-hanging closet organizers are a wonderful solution if you have a large closet or simply if your closet is large enough to contain the shelf organizer. If you do not have enough hats to fill up the rack, you can store folded sweaters or shirts on the other shelves. 

With over 8,000 reviews, this is a highly regarded hat rack, and reviewers note the quality looks even better in person. This hat rack is the perfect size for baseball hats, but it could be used for other hats like fedoras.

Hat Display

If you have a few special or aesthetically pleasing hats, consider displaying them like art or decor within your living space. This hat solution works for any hats that are special to you. 

• Owlgift Metal Decorative Meal Display Rack: This rack hangs on a wall, inherently saving any table space. Remember how wide the hat is to ensure enough space between the wall and your hat. 
• MyGift Tabletop Hat Rack: These free-standing display stands can be used to display your hats on a table or shelf. Consider how heavy the hat is to make sure it does not tip over.  

Hat Hanger

Hanger solutions are great if you want to keep the hats in a closet and if your space within the closet is limited. The hat hanger itself takes up minimal space. 

Hat racks for baseball caps are a great option for baseball hats since they can be clipped on top in order to hang. Do not use this for hats with more delicate fabric since the clips might snag the fabric. 

Hat Hooks

Hooks can be used to create just a few hat storage options or can be compiled to create a hat wall. 

A hat wall may be desired if you have a large wall that is in need of decor and/or if you have a lot of aesthetically pleasing hats, like sun hats, that will serve as decor and a storage solution.

• KOVSPO Hat Hook: A great minimalist option for hanging baseball or firm hats. 
• FOTYRIG Adhesive Hat Hooks: These pegs are the most aesthetically pleasing option, so if you plan to leave a hook unadorned for a bit, this might be the option for you. 
• Command Hooks: A quick and easy option if you have extra command hooks on hand like I always do. Wide-brimmed hats will hide the hooks. 

Seasonal Hat Storage

When your hats are not in use during off-seasons, it’s important to safely store them so their shape is not compromised. 

• HappiBox Hat Storage: This breathable canvas storage box is great for summer sun hat storage since it protects the hat from dust or friction from other items. 
• mDesign Plastic Stackable Bin Containers The smooth sides are ideal so as to prevent snagging on beanies and other soft winter hats. 

Hat Shelf Storage

If you have a shelf dedicated to hat storage, whether it is visible or in a closet, you’ll want a storage solution with a firm bottom that can rest steadily on a shelf. 

• Sun Hats: 3-Piece Hat Box Consider hat boxes with firm sides so they are secure within the boxes. 
• Baseball Hats: Kimbora Wide Hat Storage is great for off-season storage or hats you do not need to access on a daily basis. 
• Baseball Hats: Capstack Hat Organizer is great for a grab-and-go situation. This is my pick for an entryway closet or accessible shelf within a closet for daily use. 

Travel Hat Storage

Nothing is worse than packing a hat in your suitcase and arriving at your destination to find your hat smushed. 

If you would like to bring hats while traveling, consider travel hat storage to protect your hat from flattening during travel. You’ll want a lightweight material that is not too heavy to carry but something firm and supportive enough to offer protection from other items. 

• HappiBox Hat Storage – Summer Sun Hat Storage Idea for Travel 
• Ozueccr Hard Case Storage for Baseball Caps –  Baseball Hat Travel Storage Idea for Travel 

How do you organize a lot of hats?

Take an inventory of your hat collection and identify how many hats you have in each style (e.g., baseball hats, sun hats, fedoras). Consider the form and nature of your hat type to determine the best storage solution. 

• Baseball hats: Their awkward and bulky shape requires a specialized storage solution. They are typically sturdy, so they are easy to clip or hang. 
• Sun hats, wide-brimmed hats, and cowboy hats: These require ample space so they are protected from friction of other hats or items 
• Soft winter hats like beanies and berets: These store well laid vertically flat on top of one another. Your main consideration will be snagging, so choose a storage option with smooth edges. 

Determine where you have space to store hats. Do you have extra space in a closet for a hanging rack or an unused shelf on which you can place a bag or box? If you have nowhere to store hats, an over-the-door rack is a great idea. 

Measure the space to determine what size organizer will fit. 

Purchase an organizer that fits within your space and takes into account the nature/form of your hat. 

Place the organizer in the space and add your hats! 

FAQs

Final Thoughts on Hat Storage Ideas & Next Steps 

Hopefully, you now feel as educated as I do about hat storage solutions. 

Consider the number of hats in your collection, the forms of the hats, and your living space to determine the best solution for you. 

I’m excited to update our hat storage organization, and I hope you are too!