Try your hand at this sturdy, simple coat rack. (Photo by Sarah Walor)
In most homes, extra storage space is always in demand. Especially when entertaining. This stylish coat rack is ready for duty but can easily be stowed away when not in use. You won’t believe how quickly this project comes together and it can be customized to match any décor.
What you’ll need:
• 4 wooden dowel rods, 6-feet tall and about 1 ¼-inches wide. This size rod can be found at hardware stores — they are often sold as closet hanging rods.
• A leather strip, ribbon or rope
• Paint, at least two different colors
• Painters tape
• A paintbrush
• Medium grit sandpaper
• Rubber furniture pads
Directions:
1. Prepare the dowel rods for painting Sand the wood with medium grit sand paper.
2. Paint the dowel rods with your base color Since you are painting on raw wood you can either use primer for your first coat or use “paint and primer in one” paint in your chosen color. Paint the four rods with your base color paint. You can paint all the rods the same color, use multiple colors, or use different shades of the same color. You will probably need to apply two or three coats of paint for complete coverage.
3. Tape off the rods Once the base coat of paint dries (give it 24 hours), use painters tape to tape around the rod at the desired height. I taped my rods about 18 inches from the bottom.
4. Paint the “feet” of the rods Paint the rods, below the painters tape, a contrasting color.
5. Remove the painters tape When all the paint has dried, remove the painters tape. You may need to do some small touch-ups if the paint bled underneath the tape.
6. Attach rubber furniture pads Place one rubber pad on the bottom of each wooden rod. These will help to protect your floors and will keep the rods from sliding around on the floor.
7. Tie the rods together I used a strip of leather, but you could also use rope or ribbon. Lay all the rods on the floor and hold them tightly together. Wrap the leather strip around the rods several times, about 18 inches from the top, and then tie it in a double knot.
Tie the rods together with rope, ribbon or a strip of leather, pictured here. (Photo by Sarah Walor)
8. Get the coat rack into position Stand up the coat rack and splay the rods so they are evenly spaced. Now gather your coats and hats, but not too many, because you won’t want to cover up your new coat rack.
