cloakroom

A cloakroom is a room or designated area in a building where coats, hats, and other outerwear can be stored temporarily. It may be a simple closet with hooks or a staffed service area where items are checked in, tagged, and retrieved later. In many public venues such as theatres, cinemas, clubs, and schools, the cloakroom helps keep seating areas clear and reduces clutter.

In a typical cloakroom, items are handed to a staff member who attaches a receipt or claim ticket. The items are then placed in racks, lockers, or secure storage and held until the owner returns with the ticket to reclaim them. Some cloakrooms also accept bags, umbrellas, and luggage, and may offer self-service lockers or an automated system. Liability policies and loss prevention measures vary by venue.

Regional and contextual variations exist. In North America, the term coat check is more common, while in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth countries cloakroom is the standard designation. Historical cloaks rooms were common in large houses and castles and evolved into modern, staffed or self-service storage areas in contemporary buildings.

A cloakroom should not be confused with a residential wardrobe, closet, or dressing room. In public use, it is a service area within a building designed to store guests’ belongings securely for a limited period, often under supervision and subject to venue policies.