How to build a DIY coat rack for your entryway

For the ultimate custom look, measure the racks so they run end to end in the space. Measure the gap and take the measurements with you when you buy the timber. Have the team at your local hardware store cut these to length for you. Alternatively, you can cut the timber to length with a circular saw or handsaw.

Measure and mark out where you want the hooks to go. I did my first hook 100mm in from each end, then I marked a hook in the centre and divided the rest of the spaces up evenly from there.

Drill a hole where each hook will go; the hole needs to be big enough to get your screw through. Next, apply Resene Quick Dry primer and the first coat of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel in Coriander. It is easier at this stage because you don’t have to paint around all the hooks.

Now fix the hooks into the racks. You can use drawer knobs for this. Buy hooks that fix directly into the front face, or cut up some dowel rod into 50mm lengths. I used wooden dolls I found at my local craft store. The head of the doll creates a lip so your coats won’t slip off. I used a drill bit to drill a hole into the back of the wooden dowel dolls.

Now you need to take a screw (at least 50mm long) and attach it through the back of the timber into the back of the dowel doll. Repeat for all the hooks.

If you want to add a shelf on the coat rack (I did this on my top rack only), then take the wider piece of primed timber (90mm x 20mm) and place it on the top edge of the piece of timber. Pre-drill and put a screw through the top of the ledge piece, fixing it down into the top edge of the other piece of timber. Prime any areas that have been missed.

Apply a top coat of Resene Coriander. You will need to apply two coats of paint in total; the second coat can be applied once the coat racks are on the wall. While the paint is drying, measure and mark what height you would like your coat racks to be and draw a level line using a spirit level. You will also need to mark out the studs at this stage.

Fix the coat racks to the wall using at least two x 50mm screws at each end. You may require someone to hold the other end while you do this.