Do-It-Yourself Hanging Clothing Racks

Measure, mark and cut the closet rod to the desired length. Lay the rod on a flat surface, supported on a folded towel to prevent the dowel from rolling. Divide the length of the dowel by 4. Use that dimension to mark the dowel rod with a pencil one-fourth its length from each end. The marks should be in longitudinal alignment on the top surface of the rod, although strict precision is not required. Use a hammer to drive a common nail about 1/4-inch deep into the dowel through each marks. Remove the nails. The pilot holes will prevent the bit from wandering as you drill holes through the rod.

Drill a hole through each pilot hole, completely through the rod. The diameter of the bit should be slightly larger than the threaded shank of the eye bolts. Insert the eye bolts through the holes and screw the nuts on the bolts to hold them in place. Tighten the nuts with pliers. The eyes of the bolts should both be positioned on the top of the rod.

Measure and cut two suspension chains to the same length. To calculate the length of chains needed, subtract 6 feet from the height of your ceiling. This will suspend the rod approximately 6 feet from the floor. Use chain connectors or carabiner clips to attach the suspension chains to the eye bolts. The upper ends of the chains will be suspended from ceiling hooks.

Use a stud finder to locate the ceiling joists closest to where you want to hang the clothing rack. Measure and mark the positions of the ceiling joists. You will screw the hooks into the joists approximately the same distance apart as the suspension chains, however, precise positioning of the hooks is not necessary. If you plan to hand the clothing rack near the wall, the hooks should be installed in a line parallel to and at least 16 inches from the wall to give your garments room to hang.

Drill a hole through each screw-hole mark at least 1 inch deep. The diameter of the bit must be slightly smaller than the threaded shanks of the lag hooks. Insert a lag hook into each pilot hole and turn clockwise until the curved portions of the hooks almost meet the ceiling. Hang the free ends of the suspension chains on the lag hooks.