DIY Over-the-Door Coat Rack

Measure the thickness of your door at the top where it meets the door frame with your tape measure. This measurement determines the width of the top bracket on your over the door coat rack. Use your saw to cut two 1-by-2 inch hardwood strips to measure. Add 1/4 inch for wiggle room. Cut two 1/2- by 2-inch hardwood strips to a length of 10 inches, and two more 1/2- by 2-inch hardwood pieces to a length of 6 inches.

Build the top bracket for your over the door coat rack. Form two "U" shapes with your six cut pieces. The two 1-by-2 pieces should form the base of the "U", while the 10-inch, and 6-inch pieces form the sides. Apply wood glue to each joint, and use your screwdriver and flat head wood screws to fasten the whole thing together. Install three screws at each joint.

Cut a 1/2- by 2-inch hardwood strip to a length of 28 inches with your saw. This long strip serves as the base of the rack, on which your coat hooks will hang. Place your base strip on a flat surface. Lay your two "U" shaped brackets over the base strip so that the ends of the 10 inch strips are flush with it. Space the two brackets evenly along the base strip, about 5 inches from the end at each side. Use your wood glue, screwdriver and flat-head wood screws to fasten the brackets to the base. Use two screws at each joint.

Install your coat hooks to the base strip with screws and a screwdriver. Evenly space the coat hooks for a uniform appearance. The coat hooks should face outward, with the hooks pointing toward the top of the bracket.

Raise your coat rack and hook the "U" shaped bracket over the door.