How to Make a Hanging Clothes Extender

Arrange your hanging clothes on the existing closet rod so the long garments, such as coats and dresses, hang on one end and the short garments, like shirts and pants, hang on the other. Use a measuring tape and pencil to measure and note the length of the rod. With the garments hanging in place, measure the length of the rod that is occupied by the long garments. Subtract this length from the overall length of the existing rod. This dimension will be the length of your second closet rod.

Measure and note the distance between the existing rod and the lower edges of your longest shorter garment. Add 2 inches to this dimension. This measurement will be the length of the suspension wires that separate the two closet rods. Remove your garments from the closet rod.

Measure and mark the wooden dowel rod to the calculated length. Use a saw to trim the rod. Use wire cutting pliers to cut two pieces of utility wire, each 12 inches longer than the calculated length of your suspension wires. Measure 6 inches from each end of the wires. Wrap two pieces of tape around each wire, 6 inches from either end. Use pliers to bend the wires 90 degrees at the centers of the strips of tape.

Lay the trimmed dowel rod on a flat surface. Mark the rod about 6 inches from the ends. Position a suspension wire on a mark so the bend meets the edge of the rod. Hold the wire in place and wrap its short end completely and tightly around the rod. Wrap the short end tightly around the suspension wire five or six times. Trim the excess wire with wire cutters. Repeat to attach the second suspension wire to your closet rod. Make sure the wires are both going in the same direction before installing the rod.

Position the suspended rod in the closet where you want to hang shorter garments. Hang the bent portions of the suspension wires on the upper rod. Adjust the positions of the wires so they hang vertically. Wrap the free ends of the suspension wires tightly and completely around the upper rod, then twist the free ends around the suspension wires. Trim excess wire.