Dollar Tree Fall Coat Hanger Wreath

This Fall tutorial shows you how to make a wreath using inexpensive dollar tree supplies for a Thanksgiving or fall-themed wreath.

Get more details about this project

What you need

Orange Coat hangers

E6000 Glue 

Fall themed plaque (Dollar Tree)

Zip ties

Fall leaves

Instructions

Using the photo as a guide you can see the layout of the coat hangers or clothes hangers. It is 12 on the bottom and 12 on the top. Start with the bottom flower first and then the top flower and layer them.

This wreath is perfect for a quick decoration for your porch. Inexpensive to make and great for group crafts with children or adults. you can decorate your fall wreath as little or as much as you like.

You will place all of your coat hangers in the flower design before you begin to use the zip ties. Once the design is in place you’ll place zip ties, loosely, in directed spots but not tightened all the way. Once all zip ties are in place, loosely, you’ll begin tightening the ties to keep a sturdy, stable and neatly aligned flower.

Use the glue to place the flowers and a centre plaque into position.

This photo was contributed by Donna S C. Thanks for sharing Donna, we love it! Such an easy project.

Before You Begin

Use 24 hangers that are the same size and shape. Mixed hanger styles can make the finished wreath noticeably uneven.

The hanger hooks do not need to be cut off. They point toward the middle of the wreath and are hidden behind the decorative plaque.

Do not fully tighten any zip ties until all 24 hangers are arranged. Leaving the ties slightly loose gives you room to straighten the spokes and correct the spacing.

If your hangers are not already orange, assemble the wreath first, trim the zip ties and then spray-paint the entire structure. Choose paint labelled for plastic and work outdoors or in a properly ventilated area.

Instructions

Step 1: Make the first circle of hangers

Lay 12 plastic hangers flat on the floor.

Position them like the numbers on a clock, with:

• The hooks pointing inward toward the centre.
• The wide triangular bodies pointing outward.
• The hanger shoulders overlapping slightly with the hangers beside them.

The bottom bars of the hangers will form the decorative outer web of the wreath.

Begin at the 12 o’clock position and work clockwise. Try to keep the hooks evenly spaced around the centre rather than piling them directly on top of one another.

Step 2: Loosely connect the first layer

Attach each hanger to the hanger beside it using a small zip tie at the point where their outer shoulders overlap.

Use one zip tie at each neighbouring overlap, but leave every tie loose enough to slide the hangers slightly.

Once all 12 are connected, step back and check the shape. The ring should resemble a large flower or sunburst.

Measure across the wreath in several directions. Adjust the hangers until the circle is reasonably even.

Step 3: Secure the inner section

Add zip ties around the narrow neck areas of neighbouring hangers, close to where each hook begins.

These inner ties stop the hangers from twisting independently.

Do not attempt to pull all 12 hooks into one tight bundle. Let them overlap naturally in the centre. The decorative sign will hide this section later.

Step 4: Build the second hanger circle

Repeat the same process with the remaining 12 hangers.

Lay them in a separate circle with the hooks pointing inward, join the outer shoulder overlaps and loosely secure the inner neck areas.

Straighten this second circle before placing it over the first one.

Step 5: Stack the two layers

Carefully place the second hanger circle over the first.

Rotate the upper layer slightly so its hangers sit between the hangers in the bottom layer. An offset of roughly half the spacing between two hangers usually gives the fullest result.

For example, if one bottom hanger points straight toward 12 o’clock, position the closest top-layer hanger slightly to its left or right rather than directly over it.

This offset creates the layered, web-like appearance.

Step 6: Join the layers together

Use longer zip ties to connect the top layer to the bottom layer.

Secure the layers in at least eight places:

• Near the inner necks of the hangers.
• At several outer points where the two layers cross.
• At the top, bottom and both sides of the wreath.

Keep the wreath lying flat while doing this. If you lift it too early, the loose arrangement may twist out of shape.

Step 7: Straighten the entire wreath

Before tightening anything fully, check the following:

• The hooks are all directed toward the centre.
• The outer points are evenly spaced.
• The wreath looks round rather than oval.
• The top and bottom layers are evenly offset.
• No hanger is sticking noticeably higher than its neighbours.

Work gradually around the wreath, tightening each zip tie a little at a time. Do not tighten one side completely before working on the other side, as this may pull the wreath out of shape.

Once you are happy with the layout, tighten all the ties firmly.

Trim the excess zip-tie tails with wire cutters. Cut them as close as possible without damaging the locking head.

Step 8: Paint the hangers, if needed

Place the wreath on a protected surface outdoors.

Apply several light coats of plastic-compatible spray paint rather than one heavy coat. Spray from different angles so the sides and overlapping areas are covered.

Allow the paint to dry fully according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Orange, rust, copper, mustard and deep brown all work beautifully for an autumn wreath.

Step 9: Attach the centre sign

Position the fall plaque over the centre cluster of hooks.

The plaque should be large enough to hide most of the hooks and inner zip ties.

Whenever possible, thread two small zip ties or pieces of floral wire through existing holes in the sign and around the hanger structure. This gives the sign proper support.

Add strong craft glue behind the plaque only as extra reinforcement.

A glue-only centre can eventually loosen, especially when the wreath is hanging on a warm front door.

Step 10: Add the fall leaves

Arrange faux leaves around the outer edge before gluing them.

You can place:

• One leaf at every second outer point.
• Leaves around the entire wreath.
• A heavier cluster along the lower half.
• A small group around the centre plaque.

Use hot glue for lightweight fabric leaves. Use stronger adhesive or floral wire for heavier decorations such as mini pumpkins, pinecones or wooden pieces.

Keep the embellishments fairly light. The hanger frame is large, but too many heavy decorations can make it sag.

Step 11: Add a hanging loop

Attach a strong loop of floral wire, cable tie or ribbon to two hangers near the top of the wreath.

Using two attachment points helps distribute the weight and keeps the wreath hanging straight.

Hang it from a sturdy door hook and check that the centre sign remains level.

How to Tell Which Way the Hangers Go

This is the part that caused the most confusion in the original version:

• The hooks point inward.
• The wide triangular sections point outward.
• The hooks remain attached.
• The centre plaque hides the hooks.
• The wreath uses two separate layers of 12 hangers.
• The second layer is slightly rotated before the layers are fastened together.

Think of each 12-hanger layer as a clock face. The hanger hooks gather around the clock’s centre, while the wide ends form the outside edge.

Troubleshooting

My wreath keeps turning into an oval

The zip ties were probably tightened before the spacing was corrected.

Loosen or replace several ties, lay the wreath flat and measure across it horizontally and vertically. Adjust the hangers until both measurements are similar, then retighten gradually.

The hangers keep slipping while I work

Use small pieces of painter’s tape to temporarily hold several outer intersections in place. Remove the tape after the zip ties have been added.

The centre is too bulky

Allow the hooks to overlap in a loose circular arrangement rather than forcing them into one tight stack.

Choose a slightly larger centre sign or add a cluster of faux leaves around the plaque to conceal the remaining hooks.

The wreath twists when lifted

Add more joining ties between the two hanger layers, particularly near the centre and at four evenly spaced outer crossing points.

My decorations keep falling off

Hot glue can release from smooth plastic, especially outdoors. Roughen the hidden gluing area lightly with sandpaper and use a glue formulated for plastic.

For heavier decorations, use floral wire or zip ties instead of relying entirely on adhesive.

I cannot find orange clothes hangers

Use any matching plastic hangers and paint the completed frame with spray paint made for plastic. This is often easier than tracking down 24 hangers in one exact seasonal colour.

Decorating Variations

For a rustic farmhouse version, paint the hangers dark brown and decorate the lower section with burlap ribbon, muted leaves and small pinecones.

For a brighter Thanksgiving wreath, use burnt orange hangers with mustard-yellow leaves, berries and a “Give Thanks” sign.

You could also turn the same hanger base into a Halloween spider-web wreath by painting it black and replacing the leaves with spiders, webbing and a spooky centre decoration.

Readers looking for more seasonal ideas can browse the CraftBits collection of DIY wreath projects or add a few coordinating decorations from these pumpkin craft ideas.

This wreath is inexpensive, wonderfully oversized and much easier to assemble once you know where those mysterious hanger hooks are supposed to go.