Turn A Wire Hanger Into A DIY Solution That Keeps Garden Hoses Organized

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Sprawled across the walkway or getting tangled around your outdoor décor, a pile of messy garden hoses is an eyesore, but it's also a safety hazard, as it's one more thing to trip over while working outside. While you can invest in a dedicated organizer for your hoses, this can get pricey, depending on the size of your hose or if you need multiple holders. So, rather than spend extra on a hose reel, why not DIY a wall-mounted solution yourself using a common item you may have on hand: a wire clothes hanger.

This home project, as demonstrated by YouTuber Thaitrick, involves bending a clothes hanger into a holder shape, then securing the finished piece to a wall before use. A major perk to this DIY is that it requires minimal materials to get started; really all you need is a hanger and then some hardware to mount the holder after you're done. What's more, you can do a lot of trial and error until the holder looks exactly how you want.

If you're DIY-ing a single hose organizer, one hanger will work. Those looking to construct multiple storage spots for different areas, though, should set aside a hanger for each hose, though you may be able to hang several off of one depending on the size of both the hanger and hoses.

You'll also need screws and a drill to secure the finished piece to a vertical surface, like a shed wall or fence post. A pair of bent nose pliers can make the bending process easier, especially if the wire is stiff. If storing outside, you can also use outdoor spray paint or a rust-resistant coating.

To start, squeeze the hanger's sides to bring the bottom up, then bend these narrower sides into a U-shape. After you do this, bend the hook forward, and loop the top of the U-shape over it — this will lock the overall shape in place. Next, about 2 inches up on each arm, bend the end straight up; this is how you'll mount the holder (right image above). Lastly, to make the hook as strong as possible — as this is where you will hang your hose — twist the hanger's hook several times (left image above).

Once in the desired shape, you have the option to coat with outdoor spray paint or a rust-resistant spray like Rust-Oleum Rust Reformer Spray. This addition helps protect the metal from moisture and lets you personalize the piece with color. 

To mount your DIY wire hanger hose organizer, screw the arms to a wall or fence. Then, coil your garden hose as usual and place the loops over the hook. Once the garden hose is in place, secure the hose by bending the hook up and against the hose, and you're done (with one more genius way to repurpose an old hanger to transform your garden space).

A renter-friendly or small patio organization solution includes mounting the hanger to a scrap wood post, rather than drilling directly into a structure. Simply place the post in an outdoor planter or box, and add gravel around the base to help weigh it down. Also, adhesive strips most likely won't be able to hold the hanger and hose together. To hold 20 pounds, it would take four pairs. (Find more tips and tricks for organizing garden tools.)