Clothes Hanger Hacks: 14 Clever Ideas That Make Old Hangers Too Useful to Toss

Clothes hanger hacks are having a big moment, and it makes sense, because almost every home has a tangle of spare hangers stuffed at the back of a closet. This month a simple video of three plastic baskets and a few wire hangers turned into a hanging storage shelf passed 1.4 million reactions and 94,000 shares in about ten days. People loved it because it costs nothing and solves a real problem. With the holidays two months away, it is the perfect time to clear space for guests, gifts and winter coats. You do not need tools or skills for most of these ideas, just the hangers you already own and a few minutes. Here are 14 smart ways to give old hangers a second life before you think about throwing them out..

Clothes Hanger Hacks: The Three Tier Basket Stand

This is the idea that started the buzz. Three plastic baskets hang one under the other, linked by straightened wire hangers, and suddenly you have a tiered stand for fruit, onions or kids toys. The viral reel that showed it was shared 94,000 times this month, and it is easy to see why. It frees up counter space in a small kitchen for the price of nothing. Grab three baskets of the same size and give it a try..

You will need: Three same size plastic baskets with holes, three wire hangers, pliers and a sturdy ceiling or wall hook.

How to make it: 1. Ask an adult to straighten the hangers with pliers and bend a small hook at each end. 2. Link the baskets with three wires each so they hang level. 3. Hang the top basket from a strong hook and fill from the bottom up.

A Scarf Organizer With Shower Curtain Rings

Scarves love to slide off shelves and tangle in drawers. Clip a row of shower curtain rings onto a sturdy hanger and loop one scarf through each ring. Now every color is easy to see and grab in the morning, and the whole collection takes the space of one shirt. It also works for belts, ties and tank tops. With winter close, this is one of the most useful clothes hanger hacks on the list. How many scarves are hiding in your drawer?

You will need: A sturdy wooden or plastic hanger with a flat bar and eight to ten shower curtain rings.

How to make it: 1. Clip the rings along the bottom bar of the hanger. 2. Fold each scarf in half and pull it through a ring. 3. Hang it in the closet with the brightest colors in front.

Clothes Hanger Hacks for the Door: A Wreath Frame

Before you buy a wreath frame, look in your closet. A wire hanger bends easily into a circle, and the hook at the top becomes a built in hanger. Wrap it with faux greenery, add a bow, and you have a full holiday wreath for a few dollars. You can swap the greenery for fall leaves now and pine later. Ask an adult to help with the bending so the cut ends stay safe. Which door would get the first wreath?

You will need: One wire hanger, faux greenery stems, floral wire or zip ties and a ribbon bow.

How to make it: 1. Pull the hanger into a round shape and keep the hook at the top. 2. Wrap and tie greenery stems all the way around. 3. Add a bow over the hook and hang it on the door.

A Pant Hanger Cookbook Stand

Holiday baking season means flour on every page of the cookbook. A metal pant hanger with two clips can hold your book or tablet open at the right page, standing up off the messy counter. Bend the hook back so it works like a little easel, then clip the pages. It is one of those clothes hanger hacks you will use every single week. It also works for recipe cards and kids homework. Which recipe would you clip up first?

You will need: A metal pant hanger with two clips and a cookbook, recipe card or tablet.

How to make it: 1. Bend the hook backward until the hanger leans and stands on its own. 2. Open the book to your page. 3. Clip the top edge of the pages with both clips.

Clip Hangers That Keep Boots in Shape

Tall boots flop over on the closet floor and get creases that never come out. Hang them upside down instead. A skirt hanger with clips holds a pair by the soles or the top edge, and they stay straight and dust free all season. It also clears floor space for shoes you wear every day. Put a bit of felt under the clips so they do not mark the leather. How many pairs of boots are lying down in your closet right now?

You will need: Clip hangers or skirt hangers, small squares of felt and a free spot on the closet rod.

How to make it: 1. Glue a tiny piece of felt inside each clip. 2. Clip the boots by the top edge or the soles. 3. Hang them side by side at the end of the closet rod.

A Kids Art Gallery With Binder Clips

The fridge can only hold so many drawings. Hang a few wooden hangers on small nails or removable hooks along a hallway, and clip the newest art to each one with binder clips. Kids feel proud when their work is on show, and you can swap pieces in seconds. The row of hangers looks like a real little gallery. This is one of the sweetest clothes hanger hacks, and it costs nothing. Whose art would go up first in your home?

You will need: Three wooden hangers, binder clips and removable wall hooks.

How to make it: 1. Stick the hooks in a straight row at kid eye level. 2. Hang a hanger on each hook. 3. Clip one or two drawings to each hanger and swap them each week.

A Rustic Towel Bar From a Wooden Hanger

A plain wooden hanger has the look of a farmhouse towel bar without the cost. Hang it on a hook beside the sink and drape a hand towel over the bar. Guests will think you planned it that way, and nobody will guess it came from the closet. If the wood looks worn, a quick coat of stain or white paint makes it fresh. With holiday visitors coming, it is a fast way to add one more towel spot in a small bathroom. Will you leave yours natural or paint it?

You will need: A wooden hanger, a strong adhesive or screw in wall hook and a hand towel.

How to make it: 1. Sand and paint or stain the hanger if needed. 2. Fix a hook to the wall beside the sink. 3. Hang the hanger and fold a towel over the bar.

Clothes Hanger Hacks That Double Closet Space

Here is the trick people cannot believe works. Slip the ring of a soda can tab over the neck of one hanger, then hook a second hanger through the lower hole. Your shirts now hang in a cascade, two for the space of one. Do it down the whole rod and you can almost double your closet space before guests arrive. Save your can tabs for a week and you will have plenty. Ready to try this on the busiest part of your closet?

You will need: Clean soda can tabs and matching hangers.

How to make it: 1. Slide the top hole of a tab over the hook of the first hanger. 2. Hook a second hanger through the bottom hole. 3. Repeat to make short chains of two or three.

A Bent Wire Paper Towel Holder

Counter space is gold in a small kitchen. A single wire hanger can be bent into a holder that hangs under a cabinet, and the paper towel roll slides right on. Ask an adult to cut the bottom wire and bend the two ends inward to hold the roll. It takes five minutes, and the whole counter is clear again. It is one of the quickest clothes hanger hacks for the kitchen. Where would yours hang?

You will need: One white wire hanger, pliers for an adult and a cup hook or adhesive hook.

How to make it: 1. An adult cuts the bottom wire in the middle and bends each end up a little. 2. Slide the paper towel roll onto both ends. 3. Hang it from a hook under the cabinet.

A Belt and Tie Rack With Cup Hooks

Belts and ties get lost in drawers and tangled in piles. Twist small cup hooks into the bottom bar of a wooden hanger, and each hook holds one belt or a couple of ties. Hang it on the closet door and the whole collection is easy to see. Cup hooks twist in by hand, so no drill is needed. Clothes hanger hacks like this one make lovely small gifts for a dad or grandpa too, and they take less than half an hour to finish. How many belts would yours hold?

You will need: A wooden hanger with a bar, six to eight small cup hooks and an over the door hook.

How to make it: 1. Mark even spaces along the bar. 2. Twist a cup hook in at each mark. 3. Hang it on the door and loop belts and ties over the hooks.

A Velvet Hanger Christmas Card Display

Christmas cards will start arriving in a few weeks, and they always end up in a pile. A velvet hanger on the wall makes a pretty display, and mini clothespins hold each card along the bar. Tie a sprig of pine or a bow on the hook and it looks like part of your decor. When the bar is full, hang a second one under it. It is a happy way to see every card at once. Where do your cards usually end up?

You will need: A velvet hanger, mini wooden clothespins, a pine sprig or bow and a wall hook.

How to make it: 1. Hang the hanger on a hook in the living room or hall. 2. Tie a pine sprig or bow on the hook. 3. Clip each card along the bar as it arrives.

Clothes Hanger Hacks for Jewelry

Tangled necklaces are the worst. Paint a wooden hanger in a soft color, add a row of tiny screw hooks along the bar, and hang it on the bedroom wall. Each necklace gets its own hook, and bracelets can sit on the bar. It looks pretty enough to be decor and keeps everything easy to see, so getting ready in the morning is faster. It also makes a sweet handmade gift for a teen. Which color would you paint yours?

You will need: A wooden hanger, acrylic paint, tiny screw hooks and a wall hook.

How to make it: 1. Paint the hanger and let it dry. 2. Twist the tiny hooks into the bar about an inch apart. 3. Hang it on the wall and add your necklaces.

A Drying Rack for Gloves and Hats

Wet mittens on the floor are a winter mess. Hang a few hangers on hooks by the door and clip gloves, mittens and hats to them with clothespins. They dry in the air overnight, and kids always know where to find them in the morning. Put a tray under them to catch drips. Of all the clothes hanger hacks here, this small change may make busy winter mornings the calmest. The hats keep their shape too, because they are not squashed in a basket. Who in your house loses their gloves the most?

You will need: Two or three wire or plastic hangers, wooden clothespins, wall hooks and a boot tray.

How to make it: 1. Fix hooks by the door at an easy height. 2. Hang the hangers and clip on the wet items. 3. Set a boot tray below to catch drips.

Clothes Hanger Hacks Inside a Cabinet Door

Pot lids slide everywhere in a cabinet. Fix two plastic hangers flat on the inside of the door, and they hold lids by the knob and thin cutting boards behind the bar. Now you can see every lid when you open the door. For more no drill ideas, our adhesive hook hacks pair perfectly with this one. Ask an adult to fix the hangers with small screws or strong hooks. Which cabinet will you sort first?

You will need: Two plastic hangers, small screws or strong adhesive hooks and your pot lids.

How to make it: 1. Hold the hangers flat inside the door and mark the spots. 2. An adult fixes them with small screws or strong hooks. 3. Slide lids and boards in behind the bars.