This DIY coat rack with shelf is a 40-inch (102 cm) wall-mounted entryway rack built from a single 8 ft 1x8 board. A back rail holds five coat hooks, a shelf on top holds hats, gloves and keys, and two small brackets stiffen the shelf. Every cut is a straight crosscut, and it screws into two wall studs, so a beginner can finish it in an afternoon.
If you are brand new to the shop, start with our guide on how to start woodworking with no experience. This build needs only a saw, a drill and a level.
At a glance
- Finished size
- 40 in wide × 8 in tall × 7-1/4 in deep
- Skill
- Beginner
- Time
- 2–3 hours plus finish drying
- Lumber
- One 1x8 board, 8 ft
- Hardware
- 5 coat hooks, 3 in screws for the studs
Beginner shortcut
Want a matching bench or shoe cubby for the entryway? The TedsWoodworking plan library includes entryway furniture plans with cut lists, so the whole wall can match.
How the coat rack with shelf goes together
There are only three kinds of parts:
- Back rail (36 in): the 1x8 that screws to the wall and holds the hooks. Its 7-1/4 in face gives you plenty of room for hooks and wall screws.
- Shelf (40 in): sits on the top edge of the rail, with its back flush with the back of the rail. It overhangs the rail by 2 in at each end.
- Brackets (6-1/2 in): fill the space under the shelf in front of the rail. The shelf is 7-1/4 in deep and the rail is 3/4 in thick, so each bracket is 7-1/4 − 3/4 = 6-1/2 in deep and 7-1/4 in tall, the full height of the rail.
Total height is the rail (7-1/4 in) plus the shelf (3/4 in), which comes to 8 in.
Materials list
- 1 × 1x8 board, 8 ft (pine or poplar; pick a straight, flat one)
- 5 coat hooks, with screws no longer than 5/8 in so they don't poke out the back of the rail
- 4 to 6 × #9 or #10 wood or construction screws, 3 in long, for the studs
- About 10 × 1-1/2 in wood screws for the shelf and brackets
- 4 × 1-1/4 in wood screws for the brackets
- Wood glue
- 120 and 180 grit sandpaper
- Paint, stain or a clear finish
Cut list
| Part | Qty | Material | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Back rail | 1 | 1x8 | 36 in |
| B. Shelf | 1 | 1x8 | 40 in |
| C. Brackets | 2 | 1x8 | 6-1/2 in |
Cutting layout
One 8 ft 1x8 (96 in): shelf, back rail and both brackets. 40 + 36 + 6-1/2 + 6-1/2 = 89 in, plus four saw cuts at about 1/8 in each (1/2 in) = 89-1/2 in. That leaves about 6-1/2 in of offcut, enough to trim a split or rough factory end first.
Cut the long parts first. That way you can move the short brackets around any knots.
Tools
- Miter saw, or a circular saw with a speed square (see our guide on how to cut straight with a circular saw)
- Jigsaw (optional, for shaping the brackets)
- Drill/driver with a countersink bit
- Tape measure, pencil and speed square
- 4 ft or 2 ft level
- Stud finder
- Two clamps
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Cut and label the parts
Cut the shelf, rail and two brackets. Label them in pencil.
Step 2: Shape the brackets
Each bracket is 6-1/2 in deep (along the grain) and 7-1/4 in tall. For a lighter look, mark 3 in from the lower front corner along both edges and cut that corner off, or cut a curve with a jigsaw. The top edge and back edge must stay full length and square.
Step 3: Sand everything
Sand all faces and edges with 120 grit, then 180 grit. Ease the sharp front edges of the shelf.
Step 4: Attach the shelf to the rail
Lay the shelf face down on the bench. Stand the rail on its edge on the shelf, flush with the back edge and centered so 2 in of shelf sticks out at each end. Glue the joint. Predrill and countersink five holes through the shelf into the rail's edge, about 1 in, 9-1/2 in, 18 in, 26-1/2 in and 35 in from the rail's end, and drive 1-1/2 in screws. Predrill, or the edge may split.
Step 5: Add the brackets
Mark the bracket positions on the rail: the outside face of each bracket sits 2 in in from the rail's end. Glue each bracket's back edge and top edge, then clamp it in place against the rail and under the shelf. Drive two 1-1/2 in screws down through the shelf into the top edge of each bracket. Then drive two 1-1/4 in screws from the back of the rail into the bracket. Countersink the heads on the back so the rail sits flat on the wall.
Step 6: Finish before the hooks go on
Fill screw holes on the shelf top, sand them flush, and apply your finish. Paint holds up best in a busy entryway. Let it dry fully.
Step 7: Find the studs and mark the height
Find at least two studs with a stud finder and confirm each with a small nail where the rail will hide the hole. The 36 in rail can reach two studs whether they are 16 in or 24 in apart, but you may need to shift the rack left or right to hit them. A comfortable height for most adults puts the top of the shelf about 66 in (168 cm) above the floor. Avoid spots directly above or below outlets and switches, where wires run.
Step 8: Mount it into the studs
Hold the rack in place, check it with a level, and mark the stud centers on the rail. Predrill two holes per stud through the rail, one about 1-1/2 in below the shelf and one about 1-1/2 in above the bottom edge, and countersink them. Drive the 3 in screws through the rail and drywall into the studs.
Step 9: Install the hooks
Mark five hook positions at 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 in from the left end of the rail, centered on the rail's height. If a hook lands right on a stud screw, slide it an inch. Predrill and screw the hooks on with their own short screws.
Entryway builds
Finish the whole entryway
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- Entryway, mudroom and storage plans
- Cut lists and materials lists with each plan
- Step-by-step diagrams for beginners
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Not sure yet? Read our honest TedsWoodworking review first.
Choosing wood and hooks
Pine is cheap but dents; poplar paints beautifully; oak takes knocks better under a clear finish. Our guide to the best wood for beginner woodworking projects compares them. For hooks, pick double hooks with two screw holes; single-screw hooks tend to twist.
Variations
| Version | How to change the plan |
|---|---|
| Longer rack | Make the rail 48 in and the shelf 52 in; you'll need a second board for the brackets |
| Kids' height rack | Same build, mounted with the shelf top about 48 in from the floor |
| Peg rail look | Swap the metal hooks for 3/4 in hardwood dowel pegs glued into angled holes |
| Mail and key shelf | Glue a 1x2 lip along the front edge of the shelf so small items don't roll off |
Like the hidden look? Our simple floating shelf plans use the same stud-mounting method. And when you're ready for a bigger furniture project, try these easy bookshelf plans for beginners.
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FAQ
How high should a coat rack with a shelf be?
For most adults, a shelf top around 66 in (168 cm) from the floor puts the hooks at a comfortable reach of about 62 in. For kids, mount a second rack lower, around 48 in.
Can I hang this coat rack without studs?
We don't recommend it. Coats get heavy and people pull on hooks at an angle, which works drywall anchors loose. Screw into at least two studs. On plaster or masonry walls, use fasteners made for that wall type and follow their instructions.
How do I hide the screws in the rail?
Counterbore the stud holes with a 3/8 in bit about 1/4 in deep, then glue in wood plugs and sand them flush after mounting. On a painted rack, wood filler and paint work too.
