Transform an old coat rack into a stylish, eco-friendly hanging plant stand with this simple DIY project—perfect for adding greenery and charm to any space!
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How I love creating fun outdoor projects during summer! A couple of my most recent favs that have been hits in usefulness are the file cabinet garden tool storage, and the vintage desk garden station! So for that reason, I have another upcycled outdoor project that not only is useful, it looks super cool too! But first, a little backstory…
How I landed this coat rack
Once upon a time, my son and I were eating at a local diner. I kept admiring the old diner styled clock (just like this!) and old weathered wooden coat rack they had near the front door. Both appeared vintage.
During one meal, I learned that the cafe was closing down! I was so sorry to hear that, and asked if I could possibly purchase both the clock and coat rack as memory pieces of them since I had admired them for so long!
But hey wouldn’t LET me purchase them… because they wanted me to have them for FREE! Oh my word…
Today I’m joining forces with the Thrift Store Decor Team to transform things easily found at a thrift store! Be sure to visit each one at the bottom of the post! Here’s what I did with that decadent coat rack…
So I’ve had both ever since. The coat rack has been used in my photo studio for holding work aprons, glue gun, extension cords, etc. But nothing special.
However, once I was challenged to make a hanging plant stand out of an upcycled coat rack, I couldn’t pull off the aprons and cords fast enough! What an exceptional idea! And I had the perfect way to honor the original owners too…
Coat racks can also be easily found at most thrift stores that sell furniture. You could also check Facebook Marketplace! So here’s where I plan to put mine to work…
Very plain outdoor sitting area before… let’s change that!
This is a little deck (where my inflatable hot tub goes when up) I have out back in a spot with a great view. However, since it’s a hot area, plants don’t do well in full sun here, so the deck always looks so plain. BUT… I came up with a way to make this space a whole lot more inviting thanks to that coat rack!
The end result is so utterly charming, and was so easy to make! This concept could also work well for a front porch if you can find a way to stabilize the base. But don’t even blink, because this tutorial is gonna go fast!
Here’s how I made the cutest DIY hanging plant stand from an upcycled coat rack that really woke this sitting area right up instantly!
Easy DIY hanging plant stand from an upcycled coat rack
Supplies I used:
Cordless Drill (I like these Bosch!)
Drill bit to make holes (I like these with the hex shank tips)
10-12″ wood round (I used a cheese box lid)
Cafe stencil from Funky Junk’s Old Sign Stencils
Stencil brush (I prefer dome tips if you can find them)
Prep, then paint coat rack if desired
1. Clean the coat rack really well. Then sand off any rough edges. Paint if desired.
There was no doubt years of diner dust and grease on the stand, so I scrubbed it with hot soapy water and a stiff brush. I had planned to paint it but then quickly realized I’d be removing all the history of the piece! So I decided to use it as-is, however I did enhance it a little.
A low grit sandpaper sponge was used to smooth out any rough edges which was still gentle enough to not scuff up the paint. That’s when I really noticed the original patina with the black… and it was perfect! I also had plans to protect it once it was complete.
Mount 2 plant hanging brackets to the coat rack
2. Remove coat hooks from two sides of the coat rack post.
3. Install two plant hanging brackets instead, at two different levels.
Both plant hanging brackets were different sizes so they don’t even have to match. In fact, the more funky and mismatched, the better I say!
I also left the other 2 original coat hooks in place.
Purchase or make a sign with your chosen theme
4. Purchase a 10″ or smaller cute outdoor metal sign of your choice. Or make your own! I’ve saved a few cute signs in my Amazon store HERE you can check out.
This could be Welcome, a house number, Welcome to My Garden, or whatever you wish! Since I couldn’t find one quick enough, I decided to make a CAFE sign for my sitting area! How fitting!
I pulled out a 10″ round cheese box lid that was stained on one side from my stash, along with the CAFE stencil design. (the stencils are being placed with digital downloads coming soon!)
CAFE stencil design is from HERE (digital downloads coming soon!)
How I stenciled the CAFE sign:
- Position the stencil where desired.
- Load a stencil brush with paint, then remove most onto a rag until the brush feels dry.
- While holding the stencil in place, tap the paint through the stencil until desired coverage is met.
I wanted all the graphics just in black so it would chime in well with the coat hook stand.
Mount the sign to one of the plant hanging brackets
5. Mount your sign to one plant stand bracket.
You could hang a sign with chain, twine or string. Since there was a hole in my plant stand bracket, I simply drilled a hole into the top of the sign, then screwed them together!
Attach the coat hook stand to a wooden base
6. Choose a wood base to attach your plant stand to. Predrill holes on all 4 sides along the bottom of the stand, then attach with screws.
My little wooden deck was the perfect base for the stand.
And since my stand was made out of wood, I was able to predrill holes, then attach the stand to the deck with screws. You can also use some kind of brackets if your stand is metal.
Protect any wood for added outdoor durability
6. Protect all the wood with some kind of weather protectant.
My favorite outdoor weather protectant is Olympic Waterguard in Clear. I love that it doesn’t yellow the wood over time. But you will have to treat the wood every year.
I painted the wood protectant on the front and back of the sign, as well as the coat rack. This is the part where the scraped wood edges really started to shine! Literally. The product left a satin finish which made the two-toned wood look totally intentional and much more dressed up!
7. Hang a hanging basket to the other plant hook on your new plant stand!
I selected one of my smaller baskets as to not add too much weight to the stand, just in case! I then placed a larger fern on a stool to give this little spot a much more lush look! Then once I had a few real and faux plants scattered about…
… my lovely little sitting area was as cute and cozy as can be!
I love that the CAFE sign pays homage to where the stand originated from. Thinking of the cafe owners gives me very fond memories so this seemed like such a good fit.
And check out that 2-toned stand! The distressed black paint marries the deck well, while still giving the plant stand a bolt of black energy to really stand out from the rest. I’m so glad I didn’t repaint it now!
The upcycled plant stand made ALL the difference! The CAFE sign adds a themed decorative touch, while the stand gives a hanging basket some height. Then with other plants scattered about, this cute sitting area went from…
… way too plain, boring and bare… and looking very hot!
To totally cool, happy and inviting! With the umbrella in the up position during the main heat of the day, it shades both plants and me perfectly!
Have you checked out hanging plant stands recently? I couldn’t even find anything I liked! But I sure like this upcycled one! It’s sturdy, easy to customize and looks so nice!
And you can bet, I sat myself right down and enjoyed a fresh coffee to try it out for size… in which the fit was perfection.
On Hometalk – Plant Stand Video
Visit above to watch how I made this coat hook plant stand!
Would you try this plant stand hack? It sure worked out well!
See many more of my other super creative outdoor projects HERE!
Easy DIY hanging plant stand from an upcycled coat rack
Supplies:
Instructions:
- Remove 2 of the 4 hooks from the coat rack from opposite sides.
- Clean the coat hook stand well, then lightly sand. Paint if desired.
- Hang two plant stand brackets on both sides of the coat hook stand at different levels.
- Predrill holes into the bottom of the stand, then screw the coat hook stand to a wooden surface for stability such as a deck surface.
- Either make or purchase an outdoor sign of choice and hang it on one plant bracket. Hang a light weight plant on the other bracket.
- Protect the stand if it's wooden for outdoor durability.
Notes
And now it’s time to visit the rest! Visit each link below to see what everyone else flipped!
1. See how Funky Junk Interiors’ forgotten coat rack got a 2nd life as a charming DIY hanging plant stand. Perfect for an outdoor patio!
2. Kristin transformed a $3 glass vase into a high-end vintage crock with a simple napkin decoupage technique.
3. Learn how to update a Dollar Tree rope basket with Mod Podge and a sunflower printable to craft a budget-friendly gift basket from Our Crafty Mom.
4. Songbird is showing us how easy it is to make elegant glass domes from thrift store crystal bowls!
5.Learn how you can update a wood stain finish to match your favorite wood tone on an Oak Plate Rack from Shop at Blu.
6. Redhead Can Decorate is showing us how black paint can make a stunning impact in a small space!
Which project inspires you?!
Donna, I want to grab my sandwich and fruity drink and head on over to the Funky Junk Cafe! I love those old coat racks. This is a great way to add some height on my deck. On my list! Pinned.
Haha!! Come on over! Yeah, that wooden coat rack is a total keeper. I also love that I can easily bring it indoors and still use it for storing my boring computer wires and apron over winter! But my new coat rack plant stand cafe is winning at the moment. It’s so fun!
This is a great project, Donna, and that sign complements the plant stand perfectly! Now you have me thinking outside of the box with an old freestanding coat rack collecting dust.
I need this in my life!!! So clever…I have a Shepards hook out there right now and my plant is dead, but that’s ok, lol. I love the entire seating area! FJ Donna’s Cafe!
Just beautiful! Your ingenuity always amazes me. I’ll have to keep an eye out at my church’s next rummage sale for a coat rack. Thanks for the additional project to add to my list LOL!
I love how your little deck area looks. It has truly inspired me to get on with it an build some deck areas around our farmhouse too.
And you are so right the plant stand is the perfect addition to this. I love that it keeps a happy memory alive!
I am sooooooo doing this!!!! What a brilliant upcycle, Donna. We have a large blank wall outside that’s begging for some cafe magic plus I have a ton of Hoyas and Christmas cacti waiting for a spot to shine.
When I saw this, it was like, “OF COURSE!” What a brilliant up-cycle idea, and I love how you secured it to the deck. Keeps it simple, but removable for winter. Another fav to add to my list of Donna Creations! Hope you don’t mind if I share it!