Care for Your Clothes with a Valet Stand

The valet stand is a relic of times past; as Dian Furniture explains, valet stands were "popular during the Victorian period, when gentlemen were dressed by their valet. The valet would prepare the next day's clothing for his gentleman, by setting them out on this stand."

But it can still help with the morning rush to set out your clothes the night before, and the valet stand will keep your clothes looking nicer - with minimal effort - than throwing them over the unused treadmill.

One place to look for a clothes valet would be Stacks & Stacks, which has a nice selection, including the one shown above. Update on Nov. 20, 2010: it seems that Stacks & Stacks no longer has this exact valet stand, although it does have many others.




Preferred Living has a simple cedar valet. Update on Feb. 27, 2010: The company no longer has that specific valet, but it does sell others.




And in the U.K., The Cotswold Company has another simple valet. Update on May 27, 2011: This is another product which has gone missing.




This Amish-made men's valet is available in oak or cherry. [via Margaret Schaut]




Gumps has a lovely valet stand made from durian wood. Update on Feb. 27, 2010: Gumps no longer has this valet, but the store does have another one.




Horchow has this valet chair; the seat lifts to provide storage.




And if price isn't a concern, there's the stunning valet stand by furniture designer Mark Wilkinson.




And woodworkers like Lindsay Staniforth would be glad to make a custom product for you. Update on Feb. 27, 2010: Lindsay has decided to focus on her jewelry work, leaving furniture commissions behind.




Finally, if you live in Germany or Switzerland you may be able to buy this valet chair by designer Hans Wegner. There's also one for sale in New York City. Again, the seat lifts to provide storage.

Money-saving approach: You could always look on eBay or craigslist, where valet stands often show up.