Sometimes I’m a little slow to process ideas. Today I’m going to show you a project that I have been waiting years for it to speak to me. I finally made this repurposed hutch top into a coat rack shelf.
How to Repurpose a Hutch Top
My friend Cathy gave me this top piece of her china cabinet so long ago. It sort of got buried in my shed. I drug it out recently and decided that I must do something with it.
Start With Primer
Many times when I can’t figure out what a piece wants to be I paint it. I think making the color uniform helps me to see what it can be. Look again at the before—you can see that once it’s all the same color, it is easier to talk to. 
It’s at this point that I decided to make it a coat rack shelf by trimming off a little on each end, and adding some new lumber for a shelf and extending the bottom in order to accommodate the coat hooks.
Trim Over Sized Hutch Top with Saw
I clamped the piece onto my compound miter saw and trimmed some off each side. I chose to do it right beyond the smaller hole—less to patch.
Add Extension Piece to Hutch Top
In order to have room to add hooks, I would need to add a board to the bottom of the original hutch top.
For a long time my Kreg R3 Jr.
was my favorite, but I have found that this Kreg Jig K4 
is much easier on my bad shoulder. It’s also much quicker to drill several pocket holes back to back.
Need more details on using a Kreg Jig? See my article How to use a Kreg Jig Pocket Hole System
You can see I used the pocket holes to attach the bottom board the the lower portion of the original piece.
The repurposed hutch top becomes a coat rack shelf . . .
If you look closely, you can see a small indentation that is perfect for the addition of a shelf.
I added more pocket holes to attach the shelf. I seriously don’t know how I ever built anything without pocket holes. It makes projects quick easy and it gives a strong, secure hold.
By the way, I had a visitor while I was doing this—a nephew. While he was watching me drill these holes a neighbor stopped by. I think both men were a little jealous of my Kreg Jig!
Gorilla Wood Glue for Strength
You never know what someone might put on this shelf, or who might try to do a pull-up on it. For extra strength I supplemented my pocket holes with Gorilla Wood Glue. The pocket holes are under the shelf, and screw into the original piece. I was sure to stagger the holes so they would not interfere with the screws/holes from the extension piece. Do you see that little mark by the pocket hole? I always mark my spots during a dry fit.
Updated Hutch Top Mantel Coat Rack
What do you think? The repurposed hutch top is really turning out better than I imagined.
I mixed up some DIY chalky paint primer and gave everything 2 quick light coats.
I’ve seen this dresser on Pinterest for awhile now. I have loved the paint technique, but never really had anything with enough detail to pull it off.
Well, I sort of followed the directions. I didn’t have the paint they did. I did a clear coat over the entire shelf.
(you can see a bunch of hooks in the background. Then, I was trying to figure out which hooks to use for the coat rack)
I brushed on some black paint and wiped it back. Honestly, I can’t say that I immediately loved the look.
I was testing out the hooks I had. Then, I realized I needed shorter hooks, but I wasn’t liking the silver—brushed nickel.
Make a Hutch Top Coat Rack Shelf
I went back to my stash of hooks and found these oil rubbed bronze hooks from D. Lawless Hardware.
The paint technique didn’t turn out how I wanted or expected, but I’m okay with it. I have the repurposed hutch top coat rack hanging on my plank wall, above my kitchen cabinet window seat.
The small REPURPOSE sign is a tile that was made for me by a blog reader many years ago.
The color of the repurposed hutch top is much darker than the inspiration piece, but it’s growing on me.
What would you have done with this piece? Would it have taken you 4-5 years to complete?
gail
woohoo! So excited to have this project featured in the Spring 2021 issue of Country Sampler Farmhouse Style Magazine!
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Donna
I was given my grandmothers bedroom set when she die 20+ years ago. It’s really showing its age.but I’m so sentimental I can’t get rid of it. The dresser has a mirror that has a decorative top kind of like your coat rack shelf. This gives me the idea to do this with my grandmothers mirro top and I will still be able to keep a part of it with me! Thank you so much for the inspiration!
Gail Wilson
Donna,
I am soooo happy you found my project and are inspired by it! What a sweet tribute to your grandmother to have part of the bedroom set live on!! I'd love for you to share the final project with me!
gail
girlfromwva
love this awesome project! great job!
Gail Wilson
Thanks so much! I'm so happy to have it featured in the magazine!
gail
Cathy
Love it!!!
But what is the Minwax Express Clear in a Tube? How is it applied?
Thanks,
Cathy
Christina Woodcock
Gail,
I love this! I also love the fact you included the meaning of "repurpose", I think people tend to get confused. You nailed this one, it's adorable. Shared!
maureen
Sarah, did you ever end up using the old oak buffet top? I just came across this post. I have one that is 6'4" and am struggling to come up with ideas. I thought of a shelf or bench back. If so, did you post a pic?
Tania
It could have easily been a small backing of a bench. No matter, this is just as awesome. Gail, I have a question. When you protect your projects for outdoors what is your best solution? I refinished a bench swing a year ago and before the year was up it was already losing its beautiful finish and you can see the exposed wood is drying out now. I used the Spar Urethane spray that was supposed to be for outdoors use. Helsmann brand I think it was called. I don't know if I didn't use enough coats or if spray on was a bad choice. I've been meaning to find some of your outdoor projects to see what you've used but thought I'd ask in the meantime and while it's on my mind now. By the way...I think the color on this came out great. I hope it grew on you. 🙂
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Tania,
It's so difficult to protect the finish on projects that are left outdoors all year long. It's best to bring items in during the colder, winter months. You used the right "kind" of product. I recommend marine spar varnish, but brush on, not spray. If you do use spray you should definitely do several light coats.
gail
Tania
Thanks Gail. After I asked my question I did some more research and found I should probably use a marine spar varnish or an epoxy with exterior varnish or something worded like that. I may try that. It seems to be a little extra work but I'll try anything once. 🙂 I really like having my swing out but had to put it under our sunroom anyway cause those darn birds kept using it as a perch and doing their nasty business on it! If I can construct me a swing cover for it...lookout! Ha! I meant to tell you in at least one of my comments to have a happy 4th as well. So now I'm hoping that you did. Later gator.
Sarah
How wonderful!! I have something similar that came off a old oak buffet. Rejected by someone else! Just keeping it till I get inspired. This is it!! I've always known I wanted to hang it as an accent piece - it's that beautiful. I'm going to dig it out! Thanks for a great idea!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
awesome! My friend didn't like this piece on her hutch... so she replaced it with crown molding. So happy you found this!
gail
Frank Dango
Love it!!! What method do you use to hang the coat rack?
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
great question Frank! I use "d" rings on all of my hanging projects. You can see them on my favorite products page. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/my-favorite-products/
thanks,
gail
TwoPlusCute
It is fantastic and I like the color.
If you gave me the choice between this and white, I'd take the blackwashed one anytime!
Victoria
great!!!
Bliss
Love and pinned.
Mary Barber`
I love the finished product. I have a pediment that has been collecting dust out in my shop for a couple of years now. You have given me inspiration. Thank you. The "Repurpose" sign is too small for me to read. Can you tell me what it says? I'm curious.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Mary,
Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment. The small sign is a tile a reader made for me years ago. It's simply the definition of "purpose" Repurpose- {re- a prefix meaning again}
I'll update the post to add a picture of the small tile sign.
gail
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
There you go, rocking those tools again! I really love the way this turned out. It's really pretty and totally functional too!
Robin @ Redo It Yourself Inspirations
Your headboard coat racks are always so beautiful but this one is yet another favorite of mine.
Is it okay to have a bunch of favorites?
The top of the headboard is totally eye catching, the finish is lovely and the hooks are perfect!
<3
phyllis
Hi Gail, love your shelf; its a beauty. wish u lived close by; I would enjoy getting to do some crafts w/you. I haven't started on the headboard yet. How do I send u pictures when I do something?
Keep them coming. want to make some of those concrete planters you posted. loved them.
take care, Phyllis
Mindi
This turned out so beautiful Gail! I love it when a project finally speaks to you, and I can see what you mean about how it helps to have it painted...I love it! And the finish is cool! Great job, as usual!
Catherine Martinez
I love this - both the piece and how you staged it with the bench underneath. Beautifully done, as always!
Ellie LaJuett
Nice makeover! What a great idea, and a seriously great tutorial! Thank you!
Colleen
Great idea. Now I'm going to have to be on the lookout for a great headboard so that I can copy this idea.
Mary
Lovely creations!! Mary
girlfromwva
love how the rack turned out; the color & the hooks are great!
Patricia
Oh yeah! It takes me a long time do projects!
This one is so great. I like seeing all the ways you use your Kreg jig !! I'm not proficient with mine yet. However, I can use it and none of the men around here can!! 😛
Catherine
It really looks fantastic! And I love the dark finish!
Yes, I already told you I would've built a tall cabinet around it--but I actually am TOTALLY sold on your idea of the coat rack. It's really perfect as an architectural piece--and I may have to do this one myself very soon-- ; D !!! I have a couple of pediments in my stash too!
Catherine
Machelle Smith
I LOVE IT!
Susan
Brilliant idea! You did a beautiful job on this piece. Love the choice of stain, too. 🙂
Jeanne
My favorite repurposed piece of all time. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
Tracy@www.bluridgevintage.com
You are my hero....you have a tool for all jobs and tasks. This is a great repurpose and is a wonderful addition to an entryway, hallway, or maybe even a kitchen. It just might take that long for it to actually speak to me on how to use it. Is that bad? Should we move quicker on projects or is it like fine wine.....it gets better with age?
cassie
looks fabulous- love the details on it and i love that it has a little display area!
Kirby
Gail, I think you ,isn't be ahead of us...we would've taken either a week or five years....it's one extreme or the other with us! I love the paint effect and think it looks really chic.
Sara
I love this! As always, thanks for the inspiration!