How to Build a Wall Coat Rack With Hooks
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A Simple DIY Coat Rack That You Can Make in a Weekend
At our last house, we used the back patio door 99% of the time when coming and going.
The problem?
There wasn’t anywhere to hang our coats!
So I sat down and browsed Pinterest for hours. There were all kinds of fancy wall coat racks with hooks, but I just wanted something simple that had lots of hooks.
Finally, I found a picture of something I liked and took a few measurements of my walls. Then I started to draw up a simple wall coat rack with hooks for our home, and my husband helped me make my idea come to life.
How to Build a Wall Coat Rack With Hooks
Here are the supplies we used to build our wall coat rack, and the steps we followed.
Supplies
– one or two 1×4 boards in wood species and size of your choice
– coat hooks (see Step 1 below to figure out how many)
– saw
– drill
– >3-inch screws (for mounting the boards to the wall)
– level
Step 1: Start by sketching a simple coat hook idea design
First, you will need to figure out where you want to hang your wall coat rack with hooks. Then take some measurements of that wall to determine the length of your board(s). Draw a rough sketch and figure out the placement of the hooks.
Place your first hook 3-4 inches from one end of the board, then each hook should be 6-8 inches apart, and be sure to leave 3-4 inches on the other end as well.
If you plan on using two boards like we did, the coat hooks should be staggered.
So while the two boards will be the exact same length, you will want to place your first hook on the bottom board 6-8 inches from the end (you’ll need to do some math to be sure it is exactly halfway between the first two hooks).
Then place each hook 6-8 inches apart, and leave 6-8 inches on the other end.
Once you are happy with your sketch, it’s time to go shopping!
Step 2: Visit a home goods supplier to purchase your supplies
Bring the sketch of your wall coat rack with hooks along when you’re out shopping. You’ll need to know the length of the board(s) you need to buy, as well as the number of coat hooks.
Keep in mind that the boards will likely need to be cut to the desired length when you get home, so you’ll also need a saw (any type, but a miter saw works well for this type of project).
Choose any wood specie that you like, and a stain that will work well with that type of wood (you may need to ask a sales associate for pointers), plus the clear top coat that they recommend.
You’ll need sandpaper in both medium and fine grits.
Choose 3-inch screws in a finish that matches your coat hooks.
You may already have a drill, level, stud finder, and level at home; these tools are all necessary for properly mounting your wall coat rack with hooks.
Step 3: Cut your boards to the desired size if needed
Measure carefully and mark your cuts. Use the saw of your choice to carefully cut the board(s).
Tip: Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from sawdust and splinters.
Step 4: Sand your boards until smooth and clean off sawdust
Use medium-grit sandpaper to smooth the entire surface of each board, making sure to smooth the rough edges as well.
To prep for staining, be sure to clean off all the sawdust — an air compressor works well for this, or a damp microfiber cloth followed by a dry microfiber cloth.
Be sure to let the boards dry completely before starting to apply the stain.
Step 5: Apply the stain and top coat to your boards
An inexpensive foam paintbrush works well for applying stain to the boards.
Apply one coat of stain, then allow it to dry for the recommended period of time (see paint can for details).
Once dry, use the fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface, clean off the sawdust, and apply another coat of stain. Apply as many coats as needed, allowing the stain to dry completely between each coat, until you have reached the desired color.
Once the last coat is completely dry, apply your clear topcoat and allow to dry according to the directions on the can.
Step 6: Attach the coat hooks to your boards
Use a tape measure and pencil to mark the placement of each coat hook. Then begin attaching the hooks.
Step 7: Hang the coat rack on the wall
You will need to recruit a helper to hold the boards in place while you attach the coat rack to the wall.
First, you will want to find the studs by using a stud finder. They are typically 16″ apart, although they may be 24″ apart. You will need to screw into the studs to ensure the boards can hold the weight of all the coats you’ll be hanging on them.
Then use a level (this laser level has seriously been a huge time-saver for us!) to hang your coat rack on the wall. I suggest leaving a space of about 4″ – 6″ between the top and bottom boards.
Use wood plugs for covering the wall mounting screws. First, drill a shallow hole then use a hammer to place the plugs. You’ll probably want to stain them to match your coat rack.
Tip: To avoid splitting the wood, you’ll want to drill pilot holes before screwing the boards to the wall.
This wall coat rack with hooks is simple and easy to modify for any home, and it takes hardly any time at all to make. The part that takes the most time is waiting for the stain and top coat to dry.
Once our coat rack was up, we used it ALL the time. There were eleven hooks on ours, and at any given time, almost all of them were in use.
We ended up moving out of that house a couple years later, and now I’m back to the drawing board. We recently purchased a new home, so I’m sure that once we’re more settled in, I’ll be sharing whatever coat hook idea I come up with next!
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