Organising the cloakroom — complete checklist

Whether you’re organising a one-off event or running a permanent cloakroom: a well-organised cloakroom stands out by what you don’t see. No queues, no mix-ups, no complaints afterwards. This checklist covers every step — from two weeks beforehand to tidying up afterwards — so you don’t forget a thing.

The principle: the numbered hook system

The heart of every smooth cloakroom is simple: ticket 247 belongs on hook 247. Hang your coats in numerical order and you’ll find every coat in seconds — even during the busiest times, even by a temp on their first shift. Everything below builds on this principle.

Two weeks before — ordering and planning

• Calculate the number of coat tickets. Rule of thumb: 60-80% of your peak attendance, adjusted for season. See our guide how many coat tickets do I need.
• Order your coat tickets in good time. A set of 1000 paper tickets costs £59, numbered 1 to 1000, and usually arrives the next working day. Order generously, not narrowly.
• Determine your staffing. Plan for one member of staff per around 75 guests at peak times, with a minimum of two.
• Arrange your hardware. Enough cloakroom racks and hangers, matched to your number of tickets.

The week before — preparation

• Print your cloakroom rules and ensure they are clearly displayed (free template available at garderobe.nl).
• Agree on a set procedure: who receives coats, who hangs them up, how waiting times are communicated.
• If the cloakroom is open multiple days or zones, assign a colour per day or zone, so ticket numbers never get mixed up.
• Check the flow route: arrival → handover → hanging coats, without crossing traffic.

On the day — set up

• Arrange the tickets sorted, in order and within easy reach.
• Arrange the racks numbered (zone A 1-100, zone B 101-200, and so on).
• Put up clear signage directing to the cloakroom.
• Brief your team about exceptions: lost tickets, expensive coats, double claims.

During peak hours — manage flow

• Work in pairs: one takes coats and gives the ticket, the other hangs up.
• Keep the racks strictly in numerical order — that’s the key to quick retrieval.
• Communicate waiting times politely; managing expectations prevents irritation.
• Keep a reserve buffer of unused tickets ready.

After the event — close tidy

• Handle uncollected coats according to your procedure (lost property, retention period).
• Dispose of or recycle paper tickets — no returns or storage.
• Keep the unused numbers for next time.
• Jot down briefly what could be improved, so you get it right next time.

Starting completely from scratch? First read our complete guide setting up a cloakroom system from scratch.