If you need to know how to make your own DIY coat rack, this guide will show you how. With winter approaching, it’s important to put one together so you have a place to hang your coat. Your family and houseguests won’t have to search for a place to hang their coats as well.
This is a DIY project that you can get done quickly. Plus, it can be done on a low budget. If you want to get it done soon, follow this guide.
Let’s get started right now.
What you need:
- Paint or stain
- Brush for paint or staining
- Hooks
- Piece of wood (Lumber)
- Cordless drill
- Level
- Pencil
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Wall anchors (Optional)
As you may have noticed, the only item that is optional is wall anchors. We’ll explain why later on in the guide. However, it is important that you consider your options before building this coat rack.
This can be a project that can take an hour or two. If you are a beginner at DIY projects, this may be a suitable first-time project. If you have all the supplies you need, you can move on to the first step below and get started.
- Find a piece of wood
Specifically, a piece of lumber will be ideal. It should be anywhere from 24 to 36 inches in length. Take into account the amount of space you have available. If need be, you can cut down the piece of wood to a slimmer size.
You can cut the wood with a handsaw if you need to adjust the width or the length. Next, you’ll need to do some sanding (if there are rough edges). Fine-grit sandpaper will do just fine here.
- Drill the holes
The holes you’ll be drilling will be for the hooks used to hang your coats. Before you do this, make sure you make measurements for the spacing of these hooks. This will also give you a good idea of how many hooks you’re going to attach.
Hooks can be purchased individually or in a pack (i.e. – 6 count). Once you have made your measurements and markings, drill the holes. You want these holes to be a bit smaller than the screws provided by the hooks.
- Choose your favorite color or stain
Next, you can stain or paint the rack. It’s up to your personal needs or preference. Once you choose something, you can take it to your workbench or table. If you have a table, cover the area with old newspaper or plastic.
You’ll want to apply the paint or stain using a regular brush. If you are painting it, you can use one coat. Two coats should be more than enough.
Allow the paint to dry for the time allowed via the instructions. If you are staining it, an interior stain can be applied using a brush or a cloth. Use a light stain and apply more if you want it darker.
- Apply the hooks
The hooks can now be applied to the base. Then, insert the screws into the holes that you already drilled. Make sure you double-check that they are secure.
The reason for this is not all coats will be formed equal. Some of them may be made with heavier materials. For example, wool coats will be heavier compared to other materials, such as fleece.
You may need sturdier hooks that can handle our warm heavy coats. Otherwise, they would fail under the weight.
- Mount your coat rack to the wall
Next, you can mount your coat rack to the wall in the space you want it to go. You’ll want to find a stud beforehand. This is where a stud finder will come in handy.
Once you find a place, draw a vertical line with a pencil. Also, help yourself with the level. Then, drill a hole with a wood screw through each stud while the rack is pressed up against the wall.
If you can’t drill it into studs, use wall anchors as a substitute. The same application will apply here if you use them.
- Test it out
Now that the coat rack is intact, you can test it out for yourself. This includes hanging up a winter coat. If you have a heavier coat, test it out at your own discretion.
You can also hang up different items such as tote bags, gloves, and scarves. If the hooks are holding up well, then you should be done. No need to do anything further if you want to keep it as is.
You might consider the job done at this point. But there is one more bonus step if you want to.
Bonus: Add rods and shelves
You can add shelves for gloves, hats, and everything in between. You can add rods to support the shelves. This is entirely optional.
Measure the shelves and see if they fit between the standards. You can cut them to where they can fit and sand them down if needed. You can also paint or stain it to match the color of the coat rack.
You can also install the brackets to the same wall studs you’ve used to mount the rack. Include a rod into the bracket and attach the shelve to it as well.
Final Thoughts
If you are planning on building a winter coat rack, now might be the time. The good news is that they can be useful year-round. It can be used for totes, reusable shopping bags, and everything in between.
This can be a beginner-friendly project if you so choose. Not only will you put this together in a short amount of time, but you’ll also be proud to say that you created it from scratch. Make this DIY project something you can do as part of your weekend plans.
Get the stuff you need listed above and get to work.