Farmhouse Industrial Coat Rack/Bench

I am finally getting around to posting how I made the extremely handy coat rack/bench. If you have not stayed with us, it is located in the foyer of each of our units and so useful and cute!

Amazing and useful coat rack and bench combo!! I love this thing and it was so much fun to build!

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Tools you will need:

-Drill

-1" spade bit for your drill

-Sandpaper (220 grit)

-Paint brushes or stain rags

-Heavy duty degreaser, I got one in the paint section for paint prep

-Maybe a saw--more on this later

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Shopping List:

-Wood (read below for more details) to make lower shelf, bench, and coat rack

-Stain or paint of your choice-I used Varathane Kona

-Polyurethane of your choice-I used Varathane semo-gloss on one and gloss on the other

-Decorative hooks of your choice, I attach 5 but you can add as many as you want or need

-Screws: I used multiple material screws for going from metal to wood. Their size was 5/8" and #10. You will need at least 24 to attach the floor flanges to the bench. Don't forget to get screws for your decorative hooks as well.

-All of the following in 1/2" galvanized or black pipe that is threaded:

Lengths and quantities of pipe needed for this project

A note on the wood for this project: I have made this bench each of these ways and will leave it up to you to figure out how you want to make it. The first bench I made by taking 3 1x6 boards cut to 36 inches long and 3 1x6 boards cut to 42 inches. I used a kreg jig to attach the 36" boards side-to-side to make the lower shelf and to attach the 42" inch boards side-by-side to make the top bench. I used a 1x4 board for the top board that holds the hooks. You can use whatever type of wood you want-I used pine for this bench.

Never heard of a kreg jig? Have no idea how to use a saw? NO PROBLEM!! Several home improvement stores have edge glued pre-made boards and will even cut them for you. My second bench was made from this type of wood. I purchased a 1"x16"x36" section, a 1"x16"x48" section (cut to 42 inches), and a 1x4 board cut to 42 inches. These are pictured below.

Once you figure out which route you want to use to make your bench and self, go ahead and sand your wood pieces. I used a 220 grit sand paper to prepare for stain or paint. Remember to always sand with the wood grain. If you are staining your pieces, go ahead and stain them. Once they are dry lightly sand, and apply your first coat of polyurethane. You will need more than one coat of polyurethane. I am impatient and like to use the Varathane Triple Thick polyurethane, and even then I usually put at least 2 to 3 coats on each piece. Just read the directions on the polyurethane you selected and follow those. If you are painting the bench, remember you are using wood and it will need a stain blocking base coat before you put your color on. Again, lightly sand between each coat and wipe down any dust from sanding.

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Now for assembling the pipes!

Remove your pipes from their packaging. If you got black pipe this step is crucial. Get an old rag because it will be destroyed. Use that heavy duty degreaser and wipe each pipe down. Do this in a safe area and in your paint clothes. Seriously, your hands will be covered in black grease when you get done.

Apparently I did not take any pictures of the legs. I swear I did but I've also taken at least 1000 pictures since then, sooo they are MIA.

A sketch of how to assemble the legs. You will make 2 sets of these: 1 for the front legs and 1 for the back legs.

Next you will assemble the top part that will hold the coat rack portion. I did take a picture of this! LOL.

Use the 48" sections for the side pieces. Attach floor flanges to the bottom and a T to each top. On top of the T, screw in a 2.5" section and then the elbow. Connect the two sides with the 36" pipe, which is running across the top.

A close up of the T joint. Make sure it is facing towards what will be the front and screw in the 1" section.

Center the 1x4 board above the two T joints to see where you need to drill your hole. Use your 1' spade bit to cut a hole to attach to the T joint.

Now you have the top part of your bench. You just need to attach hooks of your choice and attach it to the bench.

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Now to assemble the bench! You are almost there and it will be so worth it!!

To help attach the lower shelf to the pipes, I actually unscrewed the 10" section of pipe from the legs so that everything can sit on the floor. Place the shelf face down on your work surface (ahem...floor) and attach the front set of legs by measuring in about 1.25" and attach it with pipe straps. I use 2 to 3 on each set of legs. Repeat these steps for the back legs. Once completed, place the bench seat face down on the floor and attach the floor flanges to it with screws. Make sure to measure so the flanges are centered on the bench before you screw the flanges on. Once complete flip it over and place near a wall.

I use the wall to help balance the top part while I am screwing it to the top of the bench. Measure and make sure it's centered and attach.

Attach your hooks. I have attached both of these to the wall since they are designed to hold heavy items and I did not want them tipping over.

Voila!! Enjoy your new bench. I hope you enjoy making it or at least seeing my process.

Please leave any questions in the comments below and I will do my best to answer :)