Build a Wall Coat Rack with Hooks and Hidden Storage

Hi, it’s Amy from Hertoolbelt back with another DIY build for your home.  I have been needing a wall coat rack for my hallway. It would be nice to hide a few little things too (or store out of sight). To accomplish both wish items in one, I put my coat rack and hooks on drawer slides. Simply slide the coat rack face to the right and you have a hidden compartment.

You can add little shelves and hooks inside to help organize your things! Keys, sunglasses, gloves — all those little things will fit right in and be tucked away, out of sight.

How to Build a Wall Coat Rack with Hidden Storage

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Materials

• 2 – 1″ x 3″ x 8′ boards
• 1 – 1″ x 2″ x 8′ board
• 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws
• 1 1/4″ brad nails
• 2 – 18″ ball bearing drawer slides (also called full extension)
• 2 – 2 1/2″ screws or similar (to secure to wall)
• wood glue
• sandpaper
• 3 – coat hooks
• paint/stain (used in project: Varathane Briar Smoke, Rustoleum Linen White Chalk Paint)

Cut List

• 5 – 3/4″ x 2 1/2″ x 18″ (from 1×3)
• 2 – 3/4″ x 2 1/2″ x 9″ (from 1×3)
• 2 – 3/4″ x 2 1/2″ x 7 1/2″ (from 1×3)
• 3 – 3/4″ x 1 1/2″ x 18″ (from 1×2)
• 2 – 3/4″ x 1 1/2″ x 9″ (from 1×2)
• additional shelves as desired (7 3/8″, 2 3/8″)

Cut Diagram

Step 1

Cut boards according to the cut list and diagram. Sand all of the boards before assembly.

Step 2

In two of the 18″ 1×3 boards, drill pocket holes for 3/4″ material in about 4 places each to assemble together.  Use wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws to join together 3 of the 18″ 1×3 boards.

In the remaining 2 – 18″ 1×3 boards, and 1 – 18″ 1×2 drill pocket holes for 3/4″ material in both ends. Also in one of the 9″ 1x3s, drill pocket holes to attach the front trim later. Use wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket holes to attach the 2 – 18″ boards to the 9″ 1×3.

Step 3

Use wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws to attach the 18″ 1×2 next to one of the 18″ 1x3s. Attach the other 9″ 1×3 to the other ends of the boards with wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws.

(Note: the 1×2 will be used to mount the coat rack to the wall. The pocket holes drilled in the 9″ piece should be on the left side when held up against the wall.)

Step 4

Notch the 7 1/2″ 1x3s at the top corner, 1 1/2″ long and 3/4″ wide. Dryfit these to make sure they fit into the frame, they will be used to mount the drawer slides. For my slides, I placed one of the notched boards 7 3/8″ from the inside edge and the other 14 7/8″. I used a brad nailer with 1 1/4″ nails to secure to the top and bottom.

I stained and painted the boards at this time. The front trim boards were stained with Varathane Briarsmoke and the rest of the boards were painted with Rustoleum Linen White Chalk Paint. I let all the paint and stain dry.

Step 5

Attach the large side of the 18″ drawer slides to the back of the coat rack face, the slides should be installed so they are flush with the top or bottom and flush on the left side (and will slide open to the right). The slides should come with screws, if not use 1/2″-5/8″ screws.

Attach the small side of the drawer slides to the 7 1/2″ divide boards, centering the face in the frame.

Step 6

Use 1 1/4″ screws and the pocket holes previously drilled in the left 9″ piece to secure the 1 1/2″ x 9″ trim piece in place, this piece will stay in place always.

Make sure the drawer slides are fully closed, use wood glue and 1 1/4″ brad nails to attach the 2 – 18″ and 9″ trim pieces to the face boards.

Step 7

Mark the locations for the coat hooks. Mark at 3″, 9″, and 15″ across and centered (about 3 3/4″). Screw the coat hooks to the face boards.

Step 8

To mount the coat rack, locate 2 studs in the wall (a stud finder is helpful for this).  Place the coat rack over the 2 stud locations at the height desired, level it and use 2 1/2″ screws to screw through the 18″ x 1 1/2″ board into the studs.

Add hooks or shelves as desired.

What would you hide in your coat rack?

For more build plans check out Hertoolbelt:

Farmhouse Picture Frame // Scroll Console Table // Double X Bench

More coat rack solutions:

$10 DIY wooden cube coat rack

build a hall tree coat rack

easy entry organizer with hooks and a shelf

mini mudroom: corner shelf and bench

Published: January 6, 2018Filed Under: Contributor, DIY, Organizing, Sketches/Renderings Tagged: building plans, coat rack, entryway, wall storage

About Amy Baesler

Amy is the tool lover at Hertoolbelt. On Hertoolbelt, Amy shares DIY furniture plans, handyman tutorials, and craft patterns. She has two pint sized 'helpers' that help fix things around the house and build fun projects.