Photo: Ohoh Blog for Bob Vila

In with the chill, out with the coats—and hats, scarves, mittens…you name it. With so much winter gear and so little space in the typical coat closet, the entryway sometimes needs to do a little more than simply welcome you and your guests indoors. Enter this easy and elegantly minimalist coat rack. Crafted from just one slab of wood, this unique design leans against any empty wall, adding both character and hooks. Who knew that plain old lumber could be a statement piece?

Photo: Ohoh Blog for Bob Vila

TOOLS AND MATERIALS
– Lumber
– Ruler
– Set square with a 45-degree angle
– Pencil
– Handsaw
– Wood chisel
– Hammer
– Sandpaper
– Palm sander
– Linseed oil or varnish
– 2 screw eyes
– 2 square bend screw hooks
– Drill

STEP 1

Photo: Ohoh Blog for Bob Vila

Start with an 8-foot-long piece of 2×8 lumber, and cut it down to 7 feet. When you lean this plank against the wall, the height should reach approximately the top of your door frame.

In this creative design, coats will hang from notches cut into either side of the lumber. Begin by marking the notches: On one side, measure 12 inches from the top edge and make a mark. Starting at this point, use a set square to trace a 2-inch line at a 45-degree angle. Go down 2 inches from the first mark and draw a second 2-inch line, parallel to the first. Connect them to form a diamond-like notch.

STEP 2

Photo: Ohoh Blog for Bob Vila

Measure 5 inches down the side of the board from the bottom of the first notch, make a mark, and then repeat the steps above to trace a second diamond-shaped notch.

Continue this process until you have four angled notches with 5 inches of space between each, on both sides of the board.

STEP 3

Photo: Ohoh Blog for Bob Vila

Use a handsaw to make two cuts on one of the notches, following your pencil marks. Work slowly and carefully.

STEP 4

Photo: Ohoh Blog for Bob Vila

Now, use the wood chisel to punch out the wood cut. Place the tool along the uncut line, and hit the top of the chisel with a hammer. Tip: Once you cleanly nick the cutting line, you can hit the chisel harder to take off the wood piece completely. After you finish the first “hook,” cut out the remaining seven using the same process.

STEP 5

Photo: Ohoh Blog for Bob Vila

You certainly don’t want to damage your coats or accessories whenever you hang them up, so prevent future snags by first removing rough patches with a good sanding. You can use a palm sander for the sides of the lumber and a wood file to finish the inner edges of the notches.

STEP 6

Photo: Ohoh Blog for Bob Vila

Give your coat rack an attractive finish with either stain or varnish, following the instructions on the product’s packaging. Here, we chose to apply linseed oil—a colorless, rejuvenating wood finish—to give the piece a natural, Scandinavian look.

STEP 7

Photo: Ohoh Blog for Bob Vila

To secure this leaning coat rack—and put to bed any worries of its slipping whenever you try to hang a coat—you can use the nearly invisible magic of wall hooks and screws. To do so, attach two screw eyes on the back of your plank, about 10 inches from the top.

STEP 8

Photo: Ohoh Blog for Bob Vila

The last step is to screw a few hooks to the wall. Place the top part of the board against the wall, and make two pencil marks precisely where the screw eyes sit—this is where you need to insert your square bend screw hooks. Make sure each hook points upward, then place the open loops of the screw eyes over the hooks. And that’s it! You have just turned a boring length of lumber into a modern coat rack.

Photo: Ohoh Blog for Bob Vila

Ama is a DIY addict and the creative mind behind Ohoh Blog. She likes home decor, lighting, and furniture projects that may involve painting, sewing, drilling…no matter the technique! Whatever she has on hand is inspiration to create, and fodder for her serious addiction to upcycling.