Setting Up a Cloakroom for an Event
Setting up a temporary cloakroom for a one-off event. Layout, materials and staffing tips.
A temporary cloakroom for an event demands different decisions than a fixed cloakroom: it’s all about speed, simplicity and no fuss afterwards. With the right preparation, you can have a professional cloakroom ready within an hour that can handle even the busiest peak times. Here’s your playbook.
Temporary isn’t the same as permanent
With a permanent cloakroom, you invest in management and long-term durability. For an event, there’s only one thing that matters: quick setup, smooth operation, and swift clearing. That’s why you make different choices here — especially around materials and issuing points.
Determine the number of coat tickets
Expect 60-80% of your visitors; at festivals or summer events often less (30-50%) because many guests don’t wear coats. A set of 1000 paper coat tickets (€59) covers most events comfortably — and you’ll have some left over for next time. The full calculation method is in how many coat tickets do I need.
Choose quick, disposable tickets
For single use, paper coat tickets are ideal: no stock management, no loss of costly tags, and can be thrown away or recycled afterwards. Use a different colour per day or zone to avoid mixing up tickets. Each ticket consists of two identical halves — one for the coat, one for the guest.
Set up multiple issuing points
For 500+ guests, avoid queues with 2-3 cloakroom points, each with its own colour or ticket series. Ensure enough cloakroom racks and a logical route so arrivals and departures don’t cross paths.
Schedule staff at peak times
The busiest times are on arrival and at the end of the event. Plan for one staff member per about 75 guests at peak times and work in pairs: one takes in the coats, the other hangs them up. Brief the team briefly on exceptions — see our cloakroom staff manual.
Consider luggage
Lots of bags, suitcases or festival gear? Then self-adhesive luggage labels are more practical than a hook on a coat. They stick directly to the item and have a tear-off number for the guest.
After the event
Dispose of or recycle paper tickets — no returns, no storage. Keep unused tickets for the next event. Ready for next time, with no leftover waste.
Organising regularly? Use our complete cloakroom checklist so you don’t forget anything.
Garderobe.nl Expertise Team
Garderobe.nl — market leader in the Benelux since 2008
This article is written by the Garderobe.nl team. Since 2008, we have helped more than 4,000 clients with the right cloakroom solution — from the local café to the Van Gogh Museum.
15+ years in the industry · 4,000+ clients assisted
Frequently Asked Questions
Didn't find what you were looking for? Call us or email info@garderobe.nl.
How many coat tickets for my event?
60-80% of your visitors, less for summer events. A set of 1000 paper tickets (€59) is sufficient for most events.
Paper or reusable for a one-off event?
For single use, paper is almost always the best choice: cheap, no stock burden and recyclable afterwards.
How do I prevent queues?
Use 2-3 cloakroom points each with a different colour for large numbers, and assign enough staff for arrival and departure peaks.
Further reading
Other guides or a specific topic from the hub.