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What Is Luggage Stand?

Maggie Worth
Maggie Worth

The term "luggage stand" is most often used to describe a folding stand designed specifically to hold a traveler's luggage. This type of stand is usually seen in hotels and other temporary lodgings, but may be used in private homes as well. The style of the stand and materials from which it is made may vary.

Anyone who has stayed in a hotel has probably seen a luggage stand. It is a collapsible stand, usually consisting of two x-shaped legs with a piece of fabric or series of straps stretched across the top, something like a very small cot. The stand is often located near the dresser, as its purpose is to provide a place for travelers to place their luggage, either while unpacking or for the duration of the stay.

Luggage stands are most common in the guest rooms of hotels.
Luggage stands are most common in the guest rooms of hotels.

In most cases, luggage stand legs are made of metal or wood. The stands in most chain hotels have legs made from a functional aluminum or basic wood. More upscale hotels, resorts, inns, and bed and breakfast facilities often feature stands with a more elegant look. This may include legs with a brushed aluminum finish or ones made from a higher-end wood, such as mahogany. The legs might be carved or etched and may also be curved or s-shaped to increase the design appeal of the piece.

The platform of a luggage stand also varies based on the type of establishment. Many chain hotels use stands in which the platform is constructed from a series of wide fabric strips or plastic straps, often black. Other establishments might use a canvas platform, which is sometimes printed with the logo of the hotel or resort. Additional trim, such as grommets or contrast stitching, may be present in more deluxe luggage stand models.

While luggage stands are primarily used in the guest rooms of hotels or other short-stay facilities, decorators suggest using them in a number of unique ways, including in the home. Such a stand can be a much-appreciated addition to a guest room. A stand can also be paired with an oversized serving tray to create an easy-to-move, temporary table in an indoor or outdoor living space.

In some parts of the world, the term “luggage stand” may be used quite differently. The term can be used to reference a stand-alone kiosk or booth that sells luggage, for instance. Such kiosks can be located in malls or at indoor or outdoor bazaars.

Discussion Comments

JimmyT

@Izzy78 - Interesting question. When I was younger and at my grandparents' house, we played a lot of different card games. Since my grandma didn't have a very good back for sitting on the floor or in dining chairs for a long time, what we ended up doing was using a luggage stand and putting a board on top of it to use as a card table. If you needed a portable table for anything else, it worked well, too.

I am curious if anyone here would know a good place to buy a luggage rack. I have looked at Wal-Mart but couldn't find one. One of the things the article didn't mention is that luggage stands can be great to put in a guest bedroom. We have a lot of family that stays overnight, and if they don't have somewhere to put their suitcase, it usually ends up on the dresser or somewhere, and we don't want the furniture getting scratched up. I would kind of like one made of wood, but any will work, really.

Izzy78

@jcraig - I will second your idea. Anything more than a couple of days and I don't feel comfortable having my dirty clothes mixing around with the clean ones. The problem I always have is that I forget to bring a bag or something with me to put the dirty clothes into.

I was wondering if anyone had heard of any other uses for luggage stands in a hotel. Whenever I was younger and we were traveling, my dad always used to use the suitcase stand as kind of a footrest so that he could shine his shoes. I'm just curious whether anyone else has come up with any other interesting uses for a luggage stand.

jcraig

@jmc88 - I have a friend who travels a lot for business and he has a luggage stand at home for the purpose you mentioned. When I am at home, I usually just throw the suitcase on the bed and put my stuff in that way, but he has a walk-in closet, so it would be pretty time consuming to have to walk back and forth between the closet and bed.

As far as using the luggage stand at hotel, I usually just leave my clothes in my suitcase if I am only going to stay for a day or two. Anything more than that, though, and I usually put my clothes into a dresser. What I do then is use the suitcase like my clothes hamper. I always take a trash bag with me, and just put my dirty clothes in the bag inside the suitcase.

jmc88

I guess I have never stayed at a classy enough hotel to have one of the more elaborate luggage stands. I do think they are really useful, though. My trips usually don't last more than two or three days, so I usually don't bother unloading my clothes into the dresser. I just throw my bag onto the suitcase stand and go that route.

I didn't know anyone ever had luggage stands in their house, but I guess if you did a lot of traveling and had to pack and unpack a suitcase a lot, it would make sense.

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    • Luggage stands are most common in the guest rooms of hotels.
      By: chungking
      Luggage stands are most common in the guest rooms of hotels.