Vintage wooden coat hangers resting on antique trapper's fur stretcher board on kitchen counter top with pink tulips.

Discover how to create a rustic DIY coat rack using an antique fur stretcher and vintage clothes hangers. This step-by-step guide will help you craft a unique wall-mounted coat rack with timeless charm. Perfect for adding character to any room!


We’re about to embark on a DIY adventure to transform everyday items into a fabulous wall-mounted rack.

With trusty coat hooks and the beauty of old natural wood, we’ll craft a fabulous piece that brings both functionality and flair to your space.

Say goodbye to clutter and hello to your new favorite home accessory!

Bernese Mountain Dog in kitchen with tilted head during DIY coat rack project.

Antique DIY Coat Rack Finds

Antique Trapper Fur Stretcher Boards

This post was inspired by six trapper fur stretcher boards I found at an antique store for $45.

I wasn’t sure what I would use them for, but the finish on these boards is so charming and rustic. I was just drawn to them and knew I would figure something out.

That’s when I came up with the idea to use one as a DIY coat rack in one of our Maine home’s attic bedrooms, which are currently under renovation with new paint and wallpaper.

Vintage trapper fur stretchers in antique store.

Where to find fur stretching boards?

I found mine at an antique store, but you can shop for these wooden beauties on Etsy, eBay, flea markets, thrift shops, second-hand stores, Facebook Marketplace, and antique shops.

I’ve also found a few for you to shop at the bottom of this post.

6 Creative Antique Trapper Fur Stretcher Ideas

Vintage Wood Clothes Hangers

I have also always loved old wooden clothes hangers.

They make for charming decor, hanging on the back of a door, in an open wardrobe, or displaying a guest’s bathrobe.

And, I thought using these vintage wooden clothes hangers as hooks on the trapper boards would be a cute idea for guests to hang their coats, clothes, and hats on while staying with us.

It’s an easy and creative way to repurpose the hangers into charming, rustic hooks.

DIY Coat Hanger on wall with vintage ironing board and wooden hangers.

Inspired by this wall mount towel rack by Recyclart made from an old ironing board and wooden clothes hangers.

DIY License Plate Hat Rack and Wall Decor

Pro Tip

You may also find inspiration in this Simple License Plate Decor DIY Ideas post with another creative DIY wall mount rack and more.

Step-by-Step DIY Coat Rack

DIY Coat Rack Clothes Hanger Hooks

I chose vintage wooden clothes hangers for the coat hooks on this DIY coat rack because of their charming, timeless character and contrasting color wood.

Not only do they evoke a sense of organization and practicality, but they also add a unique, eclectic touch to the piece.

Vintage wooden coat hangers resting on antique trapper's fur stretcher board on kitchen counter top with pink tulips.

By cutting them in half and attaching them to the antique trapper fur stretcher board, we were able to create a functional and stylish DIY coat rack that blends perfectly with the antique aesthetic of our home.

How to Cut the Wooden Clothes Hangers

Antique trapper's board with person measuring it and marking it for a DIY coat rack.

First, determine how many wooden hangers you’ll need for your DIY coat rack. My antique trapper’s board measured 30 inches long, so I opted for three wooden hangers, spacing them evenly at 7.5 inches apart for a balanced, centered look using measuring tape.

The first step is to cut your wooden hangers in half—but here’s the trick!

Use a circular saw to carefully slice a straight edge through each hanger, ensuring the hanging wire is positioned upside down.

This way, the curved wire transforms into a perfect hook, ready to hold everything from coats and hats to robes and towels once secured to your antique trapper’s board.

How to attach the cut wooden clothes hangers to the trapper board

Once you’ve positioned your hangers, secure the top of each one by driving a small nail or screw through the back of the board into the dowel.

Then, repeat the process on the bottom of the other side of the hanger for extra hold.

Want even more stability?

Antique trapper fur stretching board with three wooden clothes hangers cut to make a DIY Coat Rack.

A dab of wood glue or hot glue will keep everything firmly in place, ensuring your coat rack is as sturdy as it is stylish.

Depending on the size and depth of your board, screws might be the easier option—but in our case, the board was too narrow, so nails did the trick!

If you have the right tools, a counter-sunk hole at the top would be ideal for the dowels to rest in, and secured with a little wood glue.

How to Hang Your New DIY Coat Rack

To hang our new DIY coat rack in this last step, I attached two saw-tooth hooks—one on each top part corner of the back of the coat rack.

This adds extra stability and gives you more flexibility when centering it on the wall.

Trust me, things can shift once you start piling on coats and hats, so this little trick helps keep everything balanced and looking just right!

Hammer, tape measure, board and saw booth screw with two screws on counter.

Now, step back and admire your finished project—a perfect blend of antique character and everyday functionality that adds warmth and personality to any room!

For now, our new antique DIY coat rack resides inside our pantry door off our dining room at our home in Maine.

Next, I plan to move it into our upstairs attic bedrooms, which are currently being repainted and wallpapered. It will be so cute, adorned with guest towels, hats, and a few beach accessories.

Stay tuned for the final reveal of these quaint wallpapered attic bedrooms.

Charcuterie Board

Another idea I came up with for these antique trapper’s fur stretchers is to turn the smaller ones into rustic charcuterie boards full of charm and character!

Antique trapper fur stretcher made into charcuterie board with lit candle on table.

What is the easiest way to make this happen?

A little polish with Feed-N-Wax, followed by Food-Grade Mineral Oil to protect the food while enhancing the wood’s rich, vintage appeal.

Mineral Oil on antique trapper's fur stretcher on wood table.

This easy project transforms an old piece of wood into a great idea for serving cheese and snacks with style—perfect for adding a touch of history to your next gathering!

Most Common Questions About A DIY Coat Rack

What are some good DIY coat rack ideas?

Are there free DIY Coat Rack plans?

Can you build a coat rack yourself?

How do you make a coat rack?

What makes a perfect modern coat rack?

Bringing It All Together

With just a few vintage clothes hangers, an antique fur stretcher, and a little creativity, you’ve crafted a one-of-a-kind wall coat rack that blends rustic charm with functional design.

Whether you’re using it as a statement individual piece in your entryway or a movable piece that can adapt to different spaces, this DIY project proves that pieces of wood with history can be transformed into something both beautiful and practical.

Charcuterie board on antique trapper's board with lit candle and snacks.

And if you’re feeling extra inspired, don’t miss my bonus idea at the end of this post—turning an antique trapper’s fur stretcher into a unique and conversation-worthy charcuterie board.

Who knew one vintage find could have so many possibilities?

Your Guide to an Eclectic Style~

If you have any thoughts, comments, or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. Please share in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with your friends who are also vintage enthusiasts.

Do you have a flair for all things vintage, too? I would love to see and feature you in our Reader’s Showcase Series. A place for you to share and be recognized for your talents and passion for all things thrifting, vintage, and antique decor-related inspired by your time here with Dabbling & Decorating. Email me at annck@dabblinganddecorating.com

Your Guide to a Rustic DIY Coat Rack with Antique Finds
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6 Comments

  1. Rachel Harper says:

    Ann
    Such a clever idea and it turned out great.

  2. Cindy@CountyRoad407 says:

    I can’t believe how clever you are and how amazing your coat rack turned out! Great job. I would have never thought to do that. Love the charcuterie board idea as well. Glad you brought all of them home. pinned

  3. Hi Ann,
    Soooo cute. What a clever idea. Not only are they functional, but adorable also. And a conversation piece!!
    Xo
    Cara