Organising a cloakroom – The complete guide
Practical tips and advice for a smoothly run 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 smooth flow, less waiting time on arrival and departure, and a professional appearance for your venue or event.
Yet the cloakroom is often underestimated. With a few clever adjustments, you can make the difference between chaos and a seamless operation.
6 steps to a perfectly organised cloakroom
- 01
Calculate the number of coats
Expect 60-80% of your total number of visitors. For 500 visitors, you’ll need 300-400 coat tickets. Always order a little extra as a buffer. - 02
Choose the right tickets
Paper coat tickets are inexpensive and ready to go — the right choice for most cloakrooms. If you operate a daily cloakroom or want your own logo/numbering, consider the Coatcheck+ ticket printer. - 03
Arrange the space
Provide enough coat racks or rails, a clear counter, and ample space for visitors to wait without blocking the passage. - 04
Use a colour system
Change colour per day, performance or event. This prevents old tickets from being reused and keeps everything organised. - 05
Monitor the busiest times
The busiest moments are on arrival and after the event. Make sure you have extra staff at these times. - 06
Check at the end
Count the remaining coats at the end of the evening. Store uncollected items in a safe place.
Practical tips for your cloakroom
-
Colour coding
Use a different colour of coat ticket per 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
Make sure visitors can easily find the cloakroom with clear signs at the entrance. -
Separate valuables
Offer a separate place for bags and valuables. This prevents damage and gives visitors peace of mind. -
Convenient storage
Store unused coat tickets in their original packaging. They take up little space. -
Evaluate and improve
Keep track of how many tickets you use each evening so you can better estimate your needs next time.
The average visitor spends 45 seconds handing over a coat. With an efficient ticket system, you can reduce this to 15 seconds per visitor. For 300 coats, that saves over an hour of waiting time.
Paper tickets vs. plastic vs. ticket printer
Paper coat tickets are the most affordable option — and what garderobe.nl supplies. Pre-printed, ready to use, ideal for one-off events and daily cloakrooms. From €59 per 1000 pieces; the deluxe black/silver costs €59.95 per 500.
Reusable plastic tickets are available elsewhere; they are sturdier but require cleaning and stock management, and we do not supply them. For a more luxurious look, the deluxe paper variant is the closest alternative — and available immediately from stock.
The Coatcheck+ ticket printer is the professional solution: print tickets on-demand with your own logo, text and numbering. Ideal for large or permanent venues — maximum flexibility and control.
Frequently asked questions about organising a cloakroom
Didn't find what you were looking for? Call us or email info@garderobe.nl.
How many coat tickets do I need?
How do I prevent mix-ups?
What do I do with uncollected coats?
How many cloakroom staff do I need?
Can I reuse coat tickets?