I love my vintage clothes and I simply can’t part with such one-of-a-kind pieces. Naturally, I did what any fashionista would do when the wardrobe has outgrown the closet: I built my own closeting solution!
{A Fashionista’s Perfect DIY Garment Rack}
Having a friend for more than 20 years — and being a constant part of each others’ lives for that whole time — becomes staggeringly more remarkable every time I think about it.
Meet Gerold. He is an artist, vintage lover, thrift-shopping guru and a co-founding designer of Dorothy June Jewelry.
So who better to spend an afternoon with, elbow-deep in a DIY project?
For less than $100, we picked up all the supplies needed to create a garment rack fit for a fashionista.
And, the process was surprisingly simple — no hack saws or special tools or extra muscles necessary!
Here’s the photo story of my DIY garment rack & how you can build your own!
Sketch your design but be flexible at the store for adopting new ideas based on the actual supplies available. Having detailed measurements of the space the garment rack will fit into helps this process.
Although beautiful, copper pipe is too costly for a sensible budget. Opt for industrial black plumbing pipe and consider finishing with a meddled copper spray paint.
Be creative in finding ways to create finishing details. Here, I found two copper drawer pulls/cabinet hardware to act as decorative finials for the upright piping.
Prep the pipe! Peel off pricing stickers.
And, use a straight blade for extra stubborn adhesives.
Once at home, I opted to keep the gun-metal look, instead of spray painting it with a copper finish. But that meant I had to get rid of factory printed product numbers. Thankfully, the pipes were rubbed nice and smooth with the help of steel wool.
One upright pole & base assembled!
Now, adding the cross bar!
And, a little trial run, before moving the garment rack into my bedroom.
Before & After
The details!
What’s the Take-Away?
The best thing about my DIY Garment Rack is: It’s Moving-Friendly! Simply unscrew each pipe from the other and wahla! this closet-solution takes up minimal packing space!
So for all you who are heading off to college and have chosen the off-campus housing option (where closets don’t often exist in living rooms-turned-bedrooms) then this is your answer!
But if you don’t have time for going DIY**, then here’s a commercial grade (ie it’s not going to fall apart after one semester, and you can pack it full with tons of clothes!) for $99 AND it collapses!
**This DIY-project took about 6 hours to complete, including: shopping for the supplies, travel time, assembly, details and wardrobe hanging!
Totally creative and clever and, most of all, USEFUL! Beauty and function is a ~perfect~ relationship~ Can I borrow that idea???
Absolutely!! That would be the best compliment ever!! When you do build your DIY Garment Rack, please share photos of the result over at the fan page: http://www.facebook.com/thriftyvintagechic
I’m in absolute need of a garment rack, but not because I lack closet space — I simply want my pretty finds out in the room with me, so I can enjoy the view. Nice DIY and I do like the commercial grade rack too. What a great friend you have!
Thanks, Robin! I’ve got it on the “honey-do” list, lol. This could take a while…but will do if and when it gets built. You rock and rock totally!
Thanks Robin
I am going to use your design to make myself one of these. It’s just what I need.
Louis
Hi, Nice rack (haha). I am hoping you can help me figure out how to find pipes with the “gun metal” finish instead of black. When I look at your parts photo, I prefer the look of the long and short pipes, not the medium length pipe. Every time I enter a plumbing supply place and ask for gum metal finish, the clerk looks at me like I have three heads.
Wayne
About how much did creating your garment rack cost? Just wondering because I am looking for one that is sturdy and not outrageously priced! Great post, by the way!
Thank you!!! So it was about $80 … So, it’s not “Target-cheap”, nor is it “industry-expensive”, however, it is a solid rack that you can load up with TONS of items and never have to worry about it … and, my favorite thing about it: You can dis-assemble it very easily if you need to move or store it!
Thank you so very much for the instructions. We built two today and plan on building a few more for out shop. So helpful!!!
Erica! That is SO awesome!! I am thrilled to have been a help to you in making the shop even cooler than it already is! I would love to see photos of the end result! Can you post one or two on the Facebook page? http://www.facebook.com/thriftyvintagechic
I was wondering if anyone knows how to put wheels on the bottoms? In serious need of a rack and this one is absolutely gorgeous, i have seen some very similar being sold for close to $400
What size pipe did you use for this project? Half-inch pipe? This has given me some ideas, though I think I would want dual racks and wheels (casters) to make it more portable.
Hi Thrifty. I’m currently trying to make a clothing rack from old reclaimed scaffolding planks and pipes/fittings just like the ones you have used. Found your site and thought I’d say I like your work, lovely.
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on
the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for
me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a
designer to create your theme? Superb work!