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: 

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)

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

Then add tees to the other end of each 30″ pipe.

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

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

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.  

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.

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

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! 

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. 

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 Instagram, Pinterest and sign up for the Creative Ideas magazine and app.