If you have a few useless chair backs available, consider transforming one or two into a strong and durable clothes hanger. This project is ideal for the person who is handy working with wood and electric tools. It's straightforward and takes unwanted chair backs out of the waste pile.
Edit Steps
- Cut chair back to size. Measure a wooden hanger to see how wide and deep to cut the chair back so that it will work as a hanger. While a curved chair back will likely be easiest to work with, even a sleek, straight chair back that is a little longer may still work well, especially for outfits you need to lay flat.
- Cut the chair back in a workshop or garage, using an electric hand saw. To keep chair back in place while cutting, hold it inside a vise or have a friend hold the chair in place while you cut.
- Make sure you wear required safety equipment such as goggles and gloves.
- Cut the chair back in a workshop or garage, using an electric hand saw. To keep chair back in place while cutting, hold it inside a vise or have a friend hold the chair in place while you cut.
- Sand down any rough edges. Rough edges will snag clothing, so be sure to round out any sharp edges. And dust off any sawdust before using.
- Drill a small hole on the top middle portion of the now-cut chair back. You may want to use a ruler to determine the exact middle position of the chair back. Use a very small drill bit and drill a ½ inch/1.2cm hole into the top of the chair.
- Screw the curved hanger top piece into place. Twist and turn the hanger top deep into the pre-drilled hole until it feels secure.
- Add a few drops of glue to make the hanger top connection solid. Don’t over glue, just a few drops will set it in place. Allow ample time for it to dry before using.
Edit Tips
- Consider purchasing a fun paint color and either color code or paint the hangers. For example, for all your black clothing, you could hang them on black chair back hangers, coordinate red with red, etc.
Edit Things You'll Need
- Chair backs from broken or unwanted chairs (thrift store, attic, secondhand store, etc. or ask on Freecycle)
- Electric hand saw to cut the chair backs to a small size
- Fine sandpaper
- Strong metal clothes hanger tops (the curved portion of a hanger that connects the hanger to the hanging rod) – either repurpose hanger tops from existing hangers or purchase single hangers; must be able to support the wood
- A drill and a small drill bit as you will only be drilling a hole that will be used to hold the hanger in place.
- A bottle of Super Glue or Liquid Nails
