I say guys but really, these historical practical units are most helpful for the individual who wears a suit or tailored clothes on a regular basis. An organised individual who prepares their clothes the night before will also find them invaluable. They are fabulous for a tailored jacket to keep it in shape and crease-free. They can come under the category of a piece of furniture.

So if you share your bedroom with an accountant, estate agent, solicitor, banker or many others who suit up during the day this could be a useful addition to the room that you dress in. 

I prefer to incorporate suit stands (also known as valet stands) as an addition to a dressing room or walk-in wardrobe but they can be neatly placed in a corner of the bedroom. They can also come with castors so you can roll your clothes into the bathroom so they benefit from the steam generated from your shower. So although this is useful for anyone who wears clothes, today I am marketing to the male audience.

1. Valet Stand by Classic Living

A helpful piece of information is that the Wayfair site has this and many other Valet Stands for you to select from. I am not promoting them as they are a retail site and not one of my suppliers.

So this design made like a folding chair has the basic functions of a valet and a reviewer said it holds a few days worth of outfits. That has to be a plus. Another plus is that it has a hanger rail so your jackets will keep their shape. It is advertised as being made of solid wood, has a few finishes including white and is delivered fully assembled (that alone deserves 5 stars).

2. Bamboo Clothes Valet Chair by Relaxdays

An interesting take on a Valet, incorporating a chair that you can sit on to tie your shoes or use as a shelf for your folded t-shirts or silk pocket squares. A wonderful feature is that it is made of Bamboo that is naturally sustainable and amazingly strong.

Be mindful of how much weight you hang on the back just to keep the balance. It is such a wonderful concept as the chair in the bedroom is often used as a clothes catcher.

3. Guillaume Valet Stand by Maisons du monde

The fabulous thing about this valet stand is its design. The Guillaume is a beautiful Indian made stand that is very decorative and made in part of Mango wood. It is described as having traditional authenticity and I know could integrate with but, not limited to, a classic, luxe or french farmhouse style.

If you were cheeky enough you could spray paint it in a bold jewel tone and put it in an urban modern setting too. This stand has a built-in hanger, rail and 2 drawers.

4. Solid Wood valet stand by Haku

This stand looks substantial and is W47 x D36 x H102cm. There are a few colour options, Black as shown, White, Cherry and Tobacco. It does not arrive assembled, unfortunately. Manufactured in Europe the company has a 30 year history.

There are a lot of horizontal bars and the top of this unit has a horizontal bar to hook or hang a few extra items of clothes. A simple modern linear design that will hold many items of clothes and is priced to be kind to your pocket.

5. Relaxdays Valet from Manomano

This “butler-hanger” is a good looking stand that is not as bulky as some and can seamlessly fit into a bedroom. The finish is a combination of silver metal and wood and appears to have a sturdy round base for good balance. Something I like is the small tray that is a landing space for coins, keys, jewellery or whatever lives in your pockets during the day.

6. Louis XVI Brass Valet Butler Stand by Best Thing From the Past at Etsy

This one is a beauty! You almost resent covering any part of this ornate curvy item with clothes.

As of writing, there was only 1 left in stock but if it is gifted to you then know you are truly loved. On the other hand, if you buy it for yourself then enjoy the indulgence. It is not inexpensive, may only house your jacket and a tie and the brass may need the occasional polish but it would look lovely in a classically styled bedroom.

7. Beech Valet Stand by John Lewis

Made from beechwood this valet stand has a sturdy construction and a design that offers multiple options for clothes, shoes and accessories storage. The small shelf in particular is useful for keeping the important bits and pieces from your pockets in one place.

This design is clean and would compliment a Mid-century /Scandinavian-themed bedroom. It simply has all the elements I like in a valet stand keeping your jacket and shirt on a hanger, tie & trousers separate, shoes on a shelf and a dedicated tray for your wallet and keys.

8. The Gentleman's Valet Stand - 2019 by TidyBoy Berlin on Etsy

A handmade valet stand that is assembled in oak or walnut. The style is very modern, simple, linear with clean lines and would be easy to incorporate in a bedroom without wrecking the design aesthetic.

It is a very versatile piece that could be used as a towel rack (bathroom), a clothes ladder or a valet stand. Note though that you will need wooden hangers to keep your jacket or shirt shoulders in shape. The reviews on the site were really good.

Finally…

This practical piece of furniture is a small indulgence that once you include the use of it in your daily routine you will probably never want to live without one again. These are not recommended products but a cross-section of what is available to purchase.

My conservative and subjective opinion is that the finest stands are made of wood, with a hanger rail, a place for a pair of shoes and a ‘coin tray’ so you can empty your pockets. Measure your clothes beforehand to ensure your clothes will comfortably hang on the stand without touching the floor.

Only you know how you dress so if you wear a waistcoat under your jacket, have a variety of silk ties or layout your socks the night before - make sure your valet can fulfil your requirements.

And, on a lighter note, even if this picture above is similar to your walk-in closet, imagine having your own personal butler, standing to attention but always allowing you your privacy. So although this manservant will not receive your guests when they visit or serve you a glass of chilled wine after a long day; ‘he’ will be faithful if treated right.