It’s my favorite time of the month again — welcome to another edition of International Bloggers Club. If you’re new here, we’re a group of friends from around the world who gather each month to share projects, compare notes and show how we do things in our own corners of the globe. Last month we shared flat lay photo shoots (I featured one about Greece), and the month before that we explored basket upcycling crafts. This month’s project is a simple and practical DIY coat rack.
This month’s theme is wood. Back in Greece I had a big basement full of supplies, and I’ve managed to accumulate quite a bit in my new home’s basement, too. Over the coming months I’ll be digging through what I’ve collected, but today we’re starting with a humble piece of wood.
As many of you know, we just moved and are slowly getting organized. One immediate need in the girls’ bedroom was a simple place to hang bags, scarves and small items without putting too many holes in the walls. That’s how this easy DIY coat rack idea came to life.
What I Used:
- a piece of wood — mine measured 10 inches by 24 inches
- DecoArt Americana Chalky Type Paint in Everlasting
- DecoArt Americana Clear Cream Wax
- sandpaper
- 4 Brainerd Double Scroll Hooks in dark gunmetal
- 2 sawtooth hangers
How to Make a DIY Coat Rack
The first step was painting the board. I applied three light coats of Everlasting, a soft white chalk-style paint, then finished with a coat of clear cream wax to protect the surface. Before waxing, I gently sanded the edges and the top to smooth out any imperfections.
When it came time to choose hooks, I had a clear idea: something with character that would pop against the white board. Local stores didn’t carry what I had in mind, and the alternatives I found looked cheap or off-color, so I decided to look online. After spotting a great option on Facebook, I ordered the Brainerd double scroll hooks from D. Lawless Hardware and had them delivered in just a couple of days.
The dark gunmetal finish is exactly what I wanted — understated and stylish. Four hooks anchored evenly across the board provided plenty of hanging space. I attached two sawtooth hangers on the back so the rack would sit flush on the wall and be easy to hang.
Four hooks were all I needed. I installed the hooks evenly spaced across the board, then mounted the rack at an ideal height in the girls’ room. The finished piece looks clean and functional without overwhelming the space.
These gunmetal hooks have great lines and feel very solid, so I’m confident they’ll hold bags and accessories without issue. The simple black-and-white palette keeps the look modern while letting the hooks be the focal point.
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Once it was mounted, I hung a bag and a scarf to test how it would look in everyday use. It immediately made the corner feel more organized, and it keeps items off the floor and dressers — a quick win for tidiness.
Below are a few reality shots showing the rack in daily use — things piled on, scarves looped, and bags resting on the hooks. It’s practical, attractive and inexpensive compared to buying a finished piece.
For now I’m keeping the look simple in black and white; the board acts as a subtle backdrop while the hooks provide visual interest. This small project solved an organizing problem quickly and affordably, and it’s a great starter DIY if you want to make something useful for your home.
I encourage you to check out D. Lawless Hardware for a wide selection of hooks and hardware — they had excellent service and I’ll be ordering from them again as I continue organizing the house. Do you usually DIY your organizers or do you prefer to buy them ready-made?
I also invite you to visit my fellow bloggers who are sharing wood projects this month — click the images below my name to hop over to their posts. If you’d like to see past challenges, take a look at the International Bloggers Club archive.
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