quick trick: belt organizer

belt hanger 08

I had one of those annoying revelations last night about my current knitting project. The yarn I was using (and determined to use) just wasn’t the right gauge. No matter how much I wished, pleaded and tried to make it work. Silly me for even trying, I guess. lol. Looks like a trip to the crafty store this weekend is in order for some more suitable fiber! So instead of my intended post (on snoods and fun stuff), here is a quick little project just in time for some springtime organizing!

I have loads of belts. Even after whittling down my collection before I moved, I still managed to hold on to quite a few. To be honest, however, I haven’t been terribly good about storing and organizing them–they’ve been looped over various hangers for awhile. Which I know is quite bad for the leather. So in an effort to be more “grown up” about organizing my closet (and not having them collectively slide off the hanger into a heap on my closet floor!), I came up with a simple and inexpensive way to organize them all.

belt hanger project 01

Supplies: Vintage (or new) wood hanger with a flat strip of wood at the bottom. 3-5 metal hooks (you can use the size or number that suits your needs). Lace or ribbon for decoration.

belt hanger 02

Attach two hooks: one to either outer side of the flat cross bar. My hanger had pre-drilled holes, but these hooks are usually easily to screw into wood. Just be careful not to cause the wood to split!

belt hanger 03

Measure from the two outer hooks and find the center point. Mark and screw the third hook in. If you have two more hooks (for a 5-hook hanger), simple find the center points between the center and outer hooks for proper placement.

belt hanger 04

After the hooks have been attached.

belt hanger 05

Tie the ribbon or lace around the hanger (totally optional, but I like to add a bit of charm to even the most utilitarian things!).

belt hanger 06

( Click for larger view. )

The finished hanger! Doesn’t it look so much neater now? Finally I can actually see all the belts I have (although honestly, this isn’t all of them… the rest are in storage!).

belt hanger 07

( Click for larger view. )

This is also the perfect way to hang up purses for easy “grab and go” storage…

April 15, 2009 · 8 lovely thoughts
posted in casey's musings · tags:

Sal April 15, 2009 at 15:30

You are BRILLIANT! My belt collection overfloweth and I desperately need help getting it organized. This’ll be just the thing.

Hannah April 15, 2009 at 18:58

That’s a wonderful idea! I’d love to do something similar but I don’t own my house so I can’t go putting holes in the walls. At the moment I keep mine all folded up in a small vintage suitcase which is neat enough, but it would be nice to be able to see them when getting dressed.

Noir Girl April 15, 2009 at 20:08

Lovely idea! I love the vintage hanger!

vintage_mck April 16, 2009 at 10:57

Oh about a month ago I finally broke down and bought 3M sticky hooks for my belts! This is such a better and creative idea!

Eunice April 16, 2009 at 15:56

Very creative idea! You should also make a tutorial for organizaing necklaces. I saw in on of your pictures a frame that you turn into a necklace organizer it would be great if you can show me how to make it :)

Eunice April 16, 2009 at 15:58

It just hit me…you also use the hanger for long necklaces but the picture frame holder is so much prettier for necklaces…

Sam April 16, 2009 at 17:52

that is a really great idea! i might totally do that next year since i actually own leather belts now!

Jennine April 21, 2009 at 03:34

LOVE this idea! wow!

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