DIY Beaded Hat Organizer

DIY projects, the absolute gift and the curse. You read a blog or watch a detailed Youtube video, with step by step instructions on how to accomplish this easy project. Easy, it’s so easy! Yet, after you’ve spent your hard earned cash gathering all these supplies from the Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Facebook MarketPlace and the neighborhood yard sale, your alleged uncomplicated DIY, has you sweating, frustrated and is the equivalent of Theo Huxtable’s, Gordon Gartrell shirt on The Cosby Show. Hashtag big fail.

That being said, you won’t want to pull your hair out with this simple hat organizer. Now let’s be clear, I had a moment where I was convinced this might be headed towards “Gartellifcation” but in the end it worked out and I’m hoping that the tips I give you will help to avoid the same issue I had.

When I had my house built, I specifically asked to have a hat rack put in my closet. While it was working well for a while, my hat collection has matured and now I need more space. This was actually a perfect solution.

I chose to make my organizer on the door because my ceilings slope in my closet and I did not have a tall enough wall to accomplish the look I wanted elsewhere. Because I was using the door, I opted to use command strips in lieu of a nail but these are all individual preferences and you can use what you like.

The supplies:

Scissors, clothes pins, 3M Command strips or a nail, twine, measuring tape and copper pipe (mine is 2ft, precut from Home Depot or click the link and order the same size from Amazon.)

Step 1: If you’re using Command Strip hooks, follow the instructions for prepping your surface. The hooks I used only hold .5 lbs, which is why I used 2. Be mindful of the weight of your hats when choosing hooks, you may need to go bigger. Place your hooks in your desired location and do allow them to set for the recommended time, so your organizer doesn’t fall.

Step 2: Determine how big your triangle needs to be and cut the appropriate amount of twine. My triangle is 13″ from the top point to the base. I also doubled my twine by cutting double the amount I needed, then folding it in half, for more stability.

Step 3. Thread the twine through the pipe and create a triangle.

Step 4: Cut 3 additional twine pieces for the hats to be clipped to. I did 2 sixty six inch pieces and 1 thirty three inch piece. I have 8 hats, so the plan was to do 3 hats on the left and right and 2 hats in the middle, so it wouldn’t tilt to either side. Tie your long pieces at least on inch from the end of the bar and your middle piece, centered between the 2 longer pieces.

It was at this step, that I decided that I wanted to use the beads, which is optional. I had these beads left over from when I used them in my hair but they are beautiful and really enhance the Boho chic vibe that this organizer gives. I added 3 beads at the top of the long pieces, then a hat, then 3 beads and repeat. For the shorter strand, I only used 2 beads, hat, 2 beads but again, this is totally up to you and your vision. The beads can be purchased here.

Ok, remember that hiccup I mentioned earlier? Step 5 is where we encounter it. This is totally a one man project but if you have an extra set of hands laying around the house, like a husband, see if they can help you attach the hats, otherwise the thing just goes topsy-turvy when there’s too much weight on one side and can cause all the hats to fall off.

Step 5. Add the beads by sliding the twine through the hole and attach the hats, with the clothes pin.

****TIP**** Be sure that the clothes pin opening is pinching both the hat and the twine, otherwise the hats will slip down.

Step 6: Organize your hats so they lay flat to the wall or door.

Voila! You’re all done! Cute and functional and we’re not just talking about me!

Let me know if this was easy for you or if I “Gordon Gartrelled” you. Thanks for reading.