Build a Hall Tree

Build a hall tree to place near an entry to corral coats, scarves and hats plus provide a seat for putting on/removing shoes.

Room by Room : Episode RXR-2302 -- More Projects »
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Watch The Video: Build a useful hall tree to provide a place to check your look and put on or remove shoes as you come and go.
Materials:

1x2, 1x3, 2x2 and 1x12 pine lumber
router table with straight bit
wood glue
finish nails
hammer
drill
2-1/2" long drywall screws
2-1/2" long lag bolts
wooden buttons
luan plywood
mirror
mirror adhesive
220-grit sandpaper
miter saw
tack cloth or rags
wood filler

Steps:

1. The hall tree is made of two sections--a taller back portion and a seat that looks like a box. The back piece is made up of two 2x2 side stiles and a series of 1x2 slats. Three cross supports are made from 2x3s.
2. Cut the stiles and slats to length using a miter saw (the stiles should be longer to accommodate the mirror). For the three cross supports, route a groove on one side of two of them using a router table with a straight bit. Place the slats in the grooves and secure each with wood glue and finish nails.
3. Secure the stiles by drilling pilot holes through them and into the cross supports. Screw them in place with drywall screws, and then hide the screw with wooden buttons glued in place.
4. Cut the plywood to size and use adhesive to attach the mirror to it and secure it from behind to the top portion.
5. The lower portion of the hall tree is basically a box made of 1x12s with an opening in the front for shoes. Build the box by cutting all the pieces to size and glue and nail the pieces together. Cut 1x3s to make the legs and nail them in position.
6. To attach the two sections of the hall tree together, drill pilot holes into the stiles and the box from the back and secure them with lag bolts.
7. Fill the nail holes and let dry. Sand the entire piece and remove the dust with a tack cloth or damp rag. Prime and paint the piece as desired, allowing it to dry between coats.

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