Choosing a great coat rack can be a very simple choice ? just pick up your basic wooden rack and stick it on the wall, right? For some, perhaps even for most, this works just fine. But there are other considerations to be made, both personal and practical. When you choose exactly the right coat rack, it's just like picking the right wall cabinets or the right carpet ? it blends with the rest of your d'cor.

If you're not sure whether you want to keep it simple or go with something more elaborate, the best way to find the perfect coat rack is by answering these questions:

Where will your rack go? If you have a very small space to put it in, you may need a custom-made wall mounted rack; if you have a space where it could be difficult to mount one on the wall, you might be better off looking at standalone coat racks.

How do you want it to match your d'cor? Coat racks can blend into the background, or they can be bold pieces that stand out in your room ? it all depends on how you want to look at them. The most functional furnishings can also be your most beautiful ones, and this goes for coat racks too.

Are you looking for an antique? Coat racks have been around for a very long time, and you can find some lovely old handmade coat racks if you browse through antique stores for a while. Many were multifunctional, serving as benches for gentleman callers to wait, boot stools, storage, or holding shelves and mirrors. If you can't find the antique piece you want, you can often find a good craftsman who will hand-build a replica or original piece for you.

Are you a do it yourselfer? If you love to get your hands into things, and especially if you're very picky about how your things look, it might be fun to purchase an unfinished coat rack and put it together yourself, using your own choice of paints, stains, and varnish. This is a great way to get a completely unique piece.

What kinds of coats will hang there? Your coats will become a part of your d'cor too, if you hang them on a coat rack. That means in order to not look odd, your coat rack should blend with your coats. If your tastes run to classic fabrics and colors, a brass or nice wooden coat rack will look best. If, instead, you're going to hang up ski jackets and funky clothes, something plastic, modern, or unique will look better. Your coat rack should bridge the gap between your style and your home d'cor, so keep that in mind as well.

How much can you spend on your coat rack? If you're not interested in investing much into your coat rack, something simple, elegant, and functional is your best bet. On the other end, beautiful antique coat racks complete with benches and mirrors can sell for several thousand dollars. It really depends on your budget.