Transform An Old Chessboard Into Stylish Entryway Storage With A Clever DIY

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Coat check takes on a whole new meaning when you transform an old chessboard into stylish entryway storage. Drew Michael Scott, aka @lonefoxhome, figured out a clever DIY based on a unique idea by designer and maker Peter Marigold. Instead of using a coat rack, Scott purchased an inexpensive chess set on Amazon, drilled small holes into the bottom of the board and several different pieces, and used screws to attach them to various squares. He then added a few picture hangers to the back of the chessboard before hanging it on a wall to hold coats and accessories.

If you're handy with a power drill, this is an easy DIY that will help you declutter coats from a crowded entryway. You'll also need a few short screws and a handheld screwdriver. And, of course, you'll need a chess set. Scott opted for the $22 Vamslove Wooden Chess Checkers Tic-Tac-Toe Game Set from Amazon. 

Although you don't necessarily need this specific product, it has a few features that you'll want to keep in mind while picking the perfect chess set for your new entryway storage. First, it's a solid wood board with wooden pieces, both of which makes drilling pilot holes infinitely easier than acrylic versions which could break easily, sending you back to square one. Second, the chessboard itself is thin enough to remain low-profile even after individual pieces are attached. And lastly, the chessboard doesn't fold in half for portability, which means it will lie flat against the wall once installed without the cost or hassle of adding any bracing to the back.

Once you've gathered supplies for this project, it's time to make your first move. Each chess piece will be used in place of a coat hook, so take some time to figure out exactly how many you want to use and where you want to place them. Make a pencil mark or use a small piece of painter's tape to mark each square so you know where to drill. Consider using a jig to ensure each hole is precise. An easy drilling hack for perfect accuracy every time is to use a piece of scrap wood to make one.

After you've made a hole through the center of your marked squares, drill a small pilot hole into the bottom of each chess piece. Then, place a small screw through the back of your chessboard into the chess piece before tightening it into place. Repeat the process until all of the pieces are attached. Finally, add two sawtooth picture hangers to the top back corners of your new chessboard coat rack to distribute the weight of whatever you decide to store on it. 

The right height on a wall to hang a coat rack depends on whether your kids are hanging backpacks, your partner is dropping the dry cleaning, or you need a place to put your overcoat. However, the typical mounting recommendation is about 60 inches from the floor to the center of the rack. That said, we think this clever DIY could also double as a jewelry display or keep your bathroom towels in check.