Organising Cloakrooms – The Complete Guide

Practical tips and advice for a smoothly running cloakroom at any type of event or venue.

Why a Good Cloakroom Matters

The cloakroom is the first and last point of contact with your visitors. A well-organised cloakroom ensures a smooth flow, less waiting time upon arrival and departure, and a professional appearance for your venue or event.

Yet cloakrooms are often underestimated. With a few smart adjustments, you can make the difference between chaos and smooth operation.

Perfectly Organised Cloakroom in 6 Steps

Calculate the Number of Coats

Plan for 60-80% of your total number of visitors. For 500 visitors, you need 300-400 cloakroom tickets. Always order a few extras as a buffer.

Choose the Right Tickets

Paper cloakroom tickets are cheap and ready to use immediately. For daily use, consider plastic tickets or a ticket printer.

Arrange the Space

Provide enough coat hooks or racks, a clear counter, and enough space for visitors to wait without blocking the passage.

Use a Colour System

Change colour per day, show, or event. This prevents old tickets from being reused and keeps everything organised.

Monitor the Busiest Times

The most busy moments are at arrival and after the event. Make sure you have extra hands during these times.

Check at the End

Count leftover coats at the end of the evening. Keep uncollected items in a safe place.

Practical Tips for Your Cloakroom

Colour Coding

Use a different cloakroom ticket colour for each day or event. This prevents confusion with old tickets.

Sufficient Staff

Plan for 1 staff member per 100-150 guests for smooth handling on arrival and departure.

Clear Signage

Ensure visitors can easily find the cloakroom with clear signs at the entrance.

Valuable Items Separate

Provide a separate place for bags and valuables. This prevents damage and gives visitors a sense of security.

Handy Storage

Store unused cloakroom tickets in their original packaging. They take up very little space.

Evaluate and Improve

Track how many tickets you use per evening. This will help you better estimate how many you need next time.

Did You Know?

The average visitor spends 45 seconds handing over a coat. With an efficient ticket system, this can be reduced to 15 seconds per visitor. For 300 coats, that saves over an hour of waiting time.

Paper Tickets vs. Plastic vs. Ticket Printer

Paper cloakroom tickets are the most affordable option. They come pre-printed, ready for immediate use, and are ideal for one-off events or venues that do not operate a daily cloakroom. Cost: a few cents per ticket.

Plastic tickets are reusable and sturdier. Suitable for venues with a daily cloakroom, such as theatres and hotels. Higher initial cost but more cost-effective in the long run.

Ticket printers are the professional solution. They print tickets on demand, offer the most flexibility, and are ideal for large venues with varying visitor numbers. Higher investment, maximum control.

Frequently Asked Questions about Organising Cloakrooms

How Many Cloakroom Tickets Do I Need?

Plan for 60-80% of your total visitors. When in doubt: order extra. It’s better to have leftover tickets than to run out.

How Do I Prevent Mix-Ups?

Use a clear ticket system and change the colour each day. Always check that the number on the ticket matches the number on the coat.

What Do I Do with Uncollected Coats?

Keep uncollected coats in a safe place. Maintain a list of corresponding ticket numbers. Most venues keep coats for 30 days.

How Many Cloakroom Staff Do I Need?

A rule of thumb: 1 staff member per 100-150 guests. For large events with peak entry times, extra staffing may be needed.

Can I Reuse Cloakroom Tickets?

Paper tickets are for single use. Plastic tickets can be reused. For the highest hygiene standards, we recommend paper tickets.

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3 March 2026