DIY PVC Closet Rack

Create a closet rack out of PVC pipe.

Closets often do not have enough hanging space for all of your clothing, but installing an additional closet rod may not be an option in apartments and other rented spaces. An effective solution is to build a closet rack out of PVC pipe. The pipe is relatively inexpensive, and the rack will be portable. All of the materials required for this project are available at your local hardware store.

Things You'll Need

• 5-foot piece of 1-inch PVC pipe, 2
• 3-foot piece of 1-inch PVC pipe, 2
• 6-inch piece of 1-inch PVC pipe, 2
• Vise
• Hacksaw
• Sandpaper
• PVC glue
• 4-way PVC joints, 2
• Paper towels
• 6 PVC end caps
• Sand
• 3-way PVC T-joints, 2

Instructions

1. Sand the ends of all PVC pieces with 80-grit sandpaper. This will roughen up the surface, allowing the glue to hold more firmly.

2. Apply PVC glue into the lower three flanges of two, 1-inch 4-way PVC joints. Insert a 6-inch pipe into the outer flanges and a 3-foot pipe in the central one. This will create a long "H" shape with the fourth flange on each joint facing upward.

3. Wipe off any glue that oozes out of the connections with a paper towel.

4. Glue the 5-foot pipes into the upright flanges on the "H" shape.

5. Glue 1-inch PVC end caps onto each of the four feet.

6. Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours, then fill the section that you have built so far with sand. This will make it more bottom-heavy, helping to stabilize it.

7. Glue two 3-way T-joints onto the ends of the last 3-foot pipe, then glue the final 6-inch pipes into the flanges opposite of the longer pipe. The third flange on each joint should point down.

8. Glue the downward flanges onto the tops of the 5-foot pipes, completing the rack.

9. Glue a 1-inch PVC end cap onto each of the side pipes.

10. Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours before hanging clothes on the rack.

Tips & Warnings

• Hang lighter clothing such as neckties and belts on the pipes extending from the sides of the rack, and heavier clothes on the central pipe.

References

• PVC Workshop: "How Cut and Glue PVC Pipe"; Brooks Owen