DIY Coat Rack With Shelf --{Easy 5 Step Tutorial!}

Check out how easy it is to build this DIY Coat Rack with Shelf–and faux shiplap!

Shara in front of garage door holding long DIY coat rack with shelf--wood back panel with black frame around outside

My friend has a hallway to her garage where they hang their coats and trinkets. The wall this was going on was really long.

BUT, if you don’t have that much space, you can definitely make this shorter to fit your own entryway. It’s a really simple design and easy to customize.

So if you’re ready to get building, here’s how to do it.

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For this DIY Coat Rack with Shelf, You Will Need:

3/4″ plywood (amount depends on the size you want to make)
(2) 1×2 boards
(1) 1×3 board
(1) 1×6 board
(1) 8 ft stick cove molding
Coat Hooks
(2) corbels
Circular saw
Miter Saw
Nail gun
Drill
Wood Glue

NOTE: Here are the overall dimensions of the one I built. Keep in mind you can modify your own size as needed.

Overall dimensional diagram of coat rack with shelf--80" long, 18 1/4" tall, 6 1/4" deep

Step 1: Cut Back Panel of DIY Coat Rack

To keep things simple in this case, I just used 3/4″ plywood for the main panel of this coat rack.

a 16" x 76" piece of 3/4" plywood laying on workbench

Here’s where you get to modify your sizing. I cut my piece to 16″ x 76″. Feel free to cut yours however large or small you want.

RELATED: Here’s how to cut down your plywood sheets!

Now, this part is totally optional, BUT I added a faux slat or faux shiplap detail on my back panel to give it a little more visual interest.

I used my table saw for this, but you could also use a circular saw and a straight edge as well.

First, I set my blade height to about 1/4″ and took my panel width and divided by 5 (in my case, it was 16″ / 5 = 3.2″) to give me my faux slat widths. I set my rip fence to APPROX 3.2″ (your measuring tape will not have a 3.2 haha…so just get it close).

Two dadoes cut along back plywood panel for faux shiplap

Then, I ran my piece through on each side to give me two “fake slats.” (See above.) I used a similar method to cut the sides on this faux slat toy box.

I adjusted it over another 3.2″ and did the same to give me five total “slats.”

Faux shiplap cut into back panel to make five even slats

Now, if you don’t have a table saw and want to use a circular saw for this, you’d just set your saw’s cutting depth to about 1/4″ deep and clamp a straight edge (or use a track if you have one) to run your saw along to cut your lines.

Step 2: Frame Out Coat Rack Panel

Once the back panel was cut, I cut to fit 1x2s to frame around it. I mitered my corners 45 degrees, but you could simple butt them together at 90 degrees as well.

Close up of mitered corner of frame around back coat rack panel

Basically, I just cut 1x2s to fit around the edges of the back panel like shown. But I didn’t attach them yet!

I painted these frame pieces black (SW Iron Ore) and stained the panel (Minwax Early American) before assembling to make finishing easier.

Back panel stained and frame pieces painted laying on workbench to dry

Once the stain and paint was dry, I glued and brad nailed this frame around the edges.

Close up off 1x2 frame piece nailed onto side of back coat rack panel

Stained back panel with black 1x2 frame nailed in place along sides

Once the frame was attached, I also cut a piece of 1×3 that was about 2″ longer than the framed panel and glued and nailed it across the top leaving 1″ hanging off each end. I also painted this before attaching as well.

1x3 board painted and nailed in place along top of frames

And finally, as an optional detail, I cut to fit some cove molding around the top between the 1×2 frame and the 1×3 board. I puttied the nail holes, then painted the cove molding.

Close up of cove molding attached around top ledge

Step 3: Attach Hooks to DIY Coat Rack

Once all the paint was dry, I installed these coat hooks onto the panel. You can add as many or as few hooks as you wish. Just make sure to space them evenly.

Large black hooks evenly spaced and attached along back coat rack panel

Step 4: Attach Shelf to DIY Coat Rack

I cut a piece of 1×6 to use as the shelf. I just cut this a few inches shorter than my back panel. In my case, I cut it to 72″ long.

I was supporting this shelf with two small corbels and I stained everything to match the back panel before assembling.

I applied wood glue to the back side of the corbels and placed them on the plywood panel so that they were at the same height from the bottom and the same distance from the sides.

Corbels glued onto front of coat rack back panel

Once the glue had had time to cure enough to keep them in place, I used a few 2″ wood screws from the back side for a little extra security.

Then, I centered the shelf on the corbels and used a couple 2″ screws to secure the shelf in place.

Image showing screws used to attach shelf to corbels on coat rack

Step 5: Attach to the Wall

Now, I am giving this to my friend to install, so I don’t have a photo of it hanging to show you. BUT, in order to hang this, locate at least two (three is better) studs in the wall you’re hanging this on.

Use at least three 3″ wood screws through the back plywood panel to secure this piece to the studs. It’s heavy, so make sure it’s attached securely.

Now, you can hang up your coats, keys, hats, and the shelf can be your catch-all for mail and odds and ends.

Angled view of Shara holding DIY coat rack with shelf in front of garage door

This is such an easy project that can be such a huge improvement for your entryway!

If you’re looking for more entryway projects, check out this DIY mudroom built in idea, and this easy one board shoe bench!

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