diyshowoff DIY galvanized steel pipe coat rack with casters

DIY Freestanding Mobile Pipe Coat Rack

Holiday season! That means some entertaining in our home, get-togethers with families, dinner parties (having a holiday open house today, in fact).  Time to get holiday guest ready! Did you ever notice that your own family fills up the coat closet (sometimes to the point of “avalanche!” when opening the door? Or is that just us?!)…and when guests arrive in colder months, coats are stored in the guest bedroom in a pile on a bed? Our solution: 

DIY galvanized pipe and wood mobile coat rack on casters @diyshowoff #lowescreator

A DIY moveable, mobile coat rack. I am so over the utility types that teeter, lean or fall over when filled up. Know what I mean? This industrial looking DIY coat rack is sturdy, not to mention adds a touch of rustic industrial style.

Materials I used:

  • (1) 48 inch stair tread (I used red oak but for a more budget friendly option, there was also pine)
  • Rust-Oleum Ultimate Wood Stain (color is kona and ebony)
  • foam brush for applying stain, gloves & rags, paint brush for applying polyurethane
  • Rust-Oleum Polyurethane sealer (finish is satin)
  • (4) heavy duty casters 
  • (2) 3/4″ flanges
  • (2) 24″ galvanized steel pipes
  • (2) 30″ galvanized pipes
  • (2) 3/4″ tee connectors
  • (2) 3/4″ nipple connectors
  • (2) 3/4″ 90 degree elbows
  • (2) 3/4″ 90 degree street elbows
  • (2) 3/4″ caps
  • (1) 36″ galvanized pipe
  • #12 1 inch hexagon washers (screws)

DIY galvanized pipe and wood mobile coat rack on casters @diyshowoff #lowescreatorDIY coat rack with galvanized steel pipe and casters @diyshowoff

What I did:

Soak the sticker parts of the galvanized pipes in hot soapy water. (It doesn’t take long.) Remove stickers. Dry pipes and set aside. 

DIY galvanized pipe and wood mobile coat rack on casters @diyshowoff #lowescreator

Finish the wood. Using the foam brush, I applied the wood stain (brush on in the same direction as the wood grain). Let sit for a few minutes then wipe away the excess with old rags. Unlike pine, the red oak wasn’t absorbing my favorite kona colored stain in as rich of a color so I also applied two coats of ebony in the same way to achieve a darker color. Stain then dries in about an hour. 

DIY galvanized pipe and wood mobile coat rack on casters @diyshowoff #lowescreator

After the stain was dry, I sealed the wood using a coat of polyurethane. Simply brush on (looks a bit milky when wet but dries clear). I let that dry overnight. 

I attached the four casters to the under (unfinished) side using the hexagon screws. Be careful with the screws on the cut side of the wood. Going too close to the edge may cause the wood to crack. 

DIY galvanized pipe and wood mobile coat rack on casters @diyshowoff #lowescreator

Flip right side up. Set aside the nipple connectors, two street elbows and the caps. 

Next I assembled my pipe pieces. Starting with the flanges. Screw 30″ pipes into flanges.

DIY galvanized pipe and wood mobile coat rack on casters @diyshowoff #lowescreatorThen add tees to the other end of each 30″ pipe.

DIY galvanized pipe and wood mobile coat rack on casters @diyshowoff #lowescreator

 

Then add the other 30″ pipe sections (one to each tee – you’ll have two poles at this point).

DIY galvanized pipe and wood mobile coat rack on casters @diyshowoff #lowescreator

Add a 90 degree elbow to the top of one pole.

DIY galvanized pipe and wood mobile coat rack on casters @diyshowoff #lowescreator

Connect the 36″ galvanized pipe (center) piece. Add a 90 degree elbow to the end of the center pipe piece then add the other pole.  

DIY galvanized pipe and wood mobile coat rack on casters @diyshowoff #lowescreator

Place the pole-contraption onto the wood stair riser (I found the center by using a yard stick).  Attach flanges to the wood using the hex screws.

DIY galvanized pipe and wood mobile coat rack on casters @diyshowoff #lowescreator

Add nipple connectors to the center tees, then elbows then caps. This creates a space for hanging purses, hats or scarves. 

DIY galvanized pipe and wood mobile coat rack on casters @diyshowoff #lowescreator

Now when we’re expecting guests, we can simply roll the coat rack near the door for hanging coats. Or use it as extra hanging space in a room without a closet (or one with a packed closet). Handy to have in the laundry room too! 

DIY galvanized pipe and wood mobile coat rack on casters @diyshowoff #lowescreatorDIY galvanized pipe and wood mobile coat rack on casters @diyshowoff #lowescreator

Store it in the basement, a closet, the laundry room, an office or guest room and then move near the door for parties and gatherings. Or if you have room, display near the front door entryway or mudroom area. 

DIY galvanized pipe and wood mobile coat rack on casters @diyshowoff #lowescreator 

DIYShowOff #lowescreator

I received a Lowe’s gift card to put towards this challenge. Opinion and above idea is 100% my own. More DIY ideas at Lowe’s Creative Ideas or follow Lowe’s on InstagramPinterest and sign up for the Creative Ideas magazine and app.

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