How to Make Decorative Coat Racks
A coat rack provides a place to hang coats, jackets, sweaters, hats and scarves, and is a functional way to reduce clutter in the home. Coat racks come in two basic designs: free-standing and wall-mounted racks. However, purchasing a coat rack that is both functional and decorative is an expensive endeavor. At a fraction of the cost, you can make your own customized coat rack with an artistic flare. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Free-Standing Coat Rack
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1
Peel the bark off of a bundle of branches. Use a saw to cut two or three branches down so you have different heights to work with. Sand the branches to smooth out any rough surfaces. Paint the branches white or leave them raw, based on your preference.
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Cut down a large piece of Styrofoam so it fits snugly inside the bottom of a round decorative planter pot. Place the Styrofoam into the bottom of the pot.
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3
Place one branch at a time into the pot, pressing the bottom of the branch into the Styrofoam as an anchor. Arrange the branches so they face in opposite directions. The branches will serve as the hooks for your free-standing coat rack.
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4
Fill the planter pot to the top with smooth round stones. The stones act as an additional anchor to hold the branches in place.
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5
Select an area on one of the branches and place a dab of hot glue on the back of the branch. Wrap this section of the branch tightly with twine. Use a second dab of hot glue at the back of the branch to hold the end in place when the wrap has reached your desired thickness across the branch. Continue gluing and wrapping each branch on the coat rack.
Wall-Mounted Coat Rack
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6
Measure the space on the wall where you want to mount a coat rack. Determine the length and width you want to dedicate to hanging coats. Cut a raw piece of wood or wooden board down to fit your design. Sand the board to remove rough edges.
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Stain the board. If you prefer, leave the board raw or paint it white. If you are using round, wooden pegs for your coat rack, paint and stain the pegs to match. Allow the wood to fully dry before proceeding.
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Attach wooden pegs or metal hooks in equal intervals across the board. Use a drill and screws to attach decorative metal hooks to the front of the wooden board. Drill the screws through the back of the board to attach wooden pegs to the front.
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Decorate your coat rack with small items such as beads, buttons or faux flowers. Randomly attach decorative items to your coat rack board using hot glue.
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Tips & Warnings
Scour antique shops and vintage stores to find unique hooks, pegs and pieces to decorate your coat rack.
Exercise caution when working with pocket knives and saws. Always work with paint and stain in an open, well-ventilated area.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
