When I adopted my second dog, I realized that I needed some sort of organizational system to keep the halti’s, collars and leashes straight. After looking for something I could buy, nothing was the right size to fit the space I needed it for. I came across an idea on Pinterest that I felt I could reasonably accomplish. I tweaked the idea from Ginger Snap Crafts but it’s mostly me following their instructions.
I brought my idea to Home Depot and an associate there helped me decide on the wood I needed. The length that I needed was 48″ but all the lumber I needed only came in 8′ lengths. A good service that Home Depot offers in store is that they will cut what you buy to the length you need. I did have leftover pieces that I can use for future projects.
Materials:
- For the back board:
- 1 – 1″x 8″ x 8′ (these lengths will be dependent on the space you’re making the rack for)
- For the top ledge:
- 1 – 1″ x 2″ x 8′
- For the decorative piece above the hooks:
- 1 – 2 1/2″ x 8′ piece of baseboard moulding
- White trim paint
- Coat hooks & key hooks (# of each totally up to you and what you’re looking for. For a guide, I spaced my coat hooks 8″ apart and key hooks 3″ apart)
- Wood glue
- Wood screws – 1 1/2″
- Wood screws (for mounting)
Tools used:
- Clamps
- Paint brush
- Stud finder
- Drill/impact driver
- Square bit
- Level
- Screwdriver (type will depend on the kind of screws the hooks come with)
Instructions:
- Assemble wood pieces.
- Using your drill and a 1/16″ bit, predrill holes in the 1″ x 2″ flat side where it will attached to the larger piece – about a 1/2″ from the edge. This will prevent the wood from splitting when you screw into it. I did these holes about 12″ apart. Using the 1 1/2″ wood screws, attach the 1″ x 2″ board to the top edge of the 1″ x 8″ board.
- Using the wood glue, squiggle a line across the back of the moulding. I also did a line on the wood board where it was going to be attached to.
- Press the board into place at the top of the board into the corner you created. Make sure that the sides of the moulding are aligned with sides of the board. Place the clamps along the board. These help to bond the moulding to the board. Allow at least 12 hours for the glue to dry.
- Paint your assembled piece. Remember to do the sides but don’t worry about painting the back. It’s against the wall so no one will see it! I used old paint cans to elevate it so you don’t have to paint right on the ground. It took me two coats to get the coverage I wanted.
- You’ll want to have another person helping you with this next part to make it a little easier for yourself. Have them hold up the shelf and put the level on top. Once straight, identify the where the studs are on your wall using your stud finder. Typically, they will be 16″ apart but this varies. Follow them down and using a 2 1/2″ wood screw, screw the back board onto the stud. The screw placement was 2.5″ below the bottom edge of the moulding.
- Dab a little white paint over the heads of the screws to cover. You can use wood filler and then sand it down and then paint if you don’t want to see them at all. I can barely notice them so it’s a matter of personal preference.
- Install your hooks vertically centred between the bottom edge of the moulding and the bottom edge of the board. I started the first hook 4″ from the left side and last hook 4″ from the right side. After that, you’re done!
Kristin Lia Restoration 