How to Build a Coat Tree at Home

Building Steps

• 1

  Go to a store that sells wood and select a 6' x 2" x 2" post, as well as a 5' x 2' x 2" wood board that has enough good wood to cut into 10 pieces.

• 2

  Using the saw, cut the wood board into pieces: for the base, cut out two 2' x 2" pieces that will cross one atop the other. Then, cut four 1 1/2' tall triangular supports with a 1/2' base. Make four 2" x 3" base feet. Then, trim the feet to a 1" depth.

  Make a 2" wide dado joint in the two base pieces; make a 1" deep cut in the bottom of the top piece and the top of the bottom piece. Chisel out the wood cuts.

• 3

  Round the top of the post with chisels. Using the chisels, curve the middle 1 1/2 feet in the bottom of the two base pieces to 1/8" depth, leaving a 2" x 3" even area at each end for the base feet. Plane the two curves smooth. Then, round the two end tops on each base piece. Drill holes for dowels. Press the drill 6" deep into the center of the post bottom. Drill a matching hole through the center of each cross piece. In each support, make two holes. Match the holes with two holes on each side on the post.

  On the four support pieces, saw a three part curve on the diagonal: beginning at the top, curve out, then in and out at the base. Plane the edges smooth.

  Finish the shaping by sanding each piece with rough sandpaper.

• 4

  To assemble the base, set the top cross piece in the dado joint into the bottom cross piece. Glue and secure the joint. Let dry.

• 5

  Attach the four supports to the post: Glue two dowels in each support. Then, for each support, put glue on the ends of the dowels and press into the post. Let dry.

• 6

  Put the coat tree together: Glue the large dowel rod into the post bottom. Set the base on the bottom of the post and supports. Place glue on the bottoms of the post and the four supports. Press the base on the end, over the dowel, and secure the pieces together. The dowel rod extends beyond the base bottom by 1/2". Finish by gluing on the four feet, and stand the tree up. Let dry.

• 7

  Finish the coat tree by sanding the entire piece with fine sandpaper. Stain with your favorite wood stain, brushing it on in long smooth strokes.

• 8

  After the finish has dried, add the four metal coat hooks. Measure the height you want your hooks, then drill guide holes for each hook. With the screwdriver, screw the hooks onto the post.