Easy Window Shelf

I have another easy window shelf to inspire you using odd bits and pieces as brackets. The fun thing about window projects is how different each can be!

I once had this petite armoire that I made into a kid’s art center.

Then in March of 2015 I did some demolition on it to make it into the art center that it is now. I took the bottom trim off and of course, I did NOT throw the pieces away.

You may remember I recently made this gray window shelf using the leftover pieces of the picket fence arbor for the brackets.

As I was looking for parts for my newest easy  window shelf  project, I found the bottom trim pieces left from the petite armoire.

Materials

• Old Window
• Wooden Brackets (I used some pieces left over from another project)
• 1×6 cut to the width of your window plus 1.5″
• Coat Hooks
• D Rings (for hanging)

Supplies

• Lead Test Kit (if lead based paint is suspected)
• Wood Putty or Spackling
• Wood Glue
• Sandpaper
• Paint
• Plaster of Paris
• Paint Brush

Tools

• Saw (I use a miter saw, but you can use any saw you have)
• Drill
• Drill bits
• Brad nail gun (or small finishing nails)
• Putty Knife
• Paint scraper (or painter’s tape)
• Dust Brush

Design window shelf

In this photo, I have already trimmed a little “off the top” of each of the new brackets, and filled the holes with some wood putty. This is pretty much the “dry fit” stage.

Attach Shelf and Brackets

I cut a 1×6 to size and used Gorilla Wood Glue and my Ryobi Airstrike nail gun to attach the brackets and the window shelf.

Sand window project

I carefully sanded the window frame (test YOUR old projects for lead before sanding).

Prepare to paint

I mixed up my favorite DIY chalky paint primer with Plaster of Paris and Polished Pearl. Still loving my cansealid from Amazon.

This looks like it might be after a coat of the primer, and then a coat of the semi-gloss as the top coat. Notice I used some of those left over pieces from the arbor to raise the window frame off of the table. Isn’t my DIY picket fence looking pretty with some white paint in the background? (finally!)

Attach d rings for hanging

I scraped the paint off the glass using a razor blade and used my favorite d rings for secure hanging of the window shelf. This is why I buy these things by the 100’s. I use them for every hanging project!

I wanted to add my D. Lawless Hardware hooks to the sides of the window frame a few inches from the bottom, but it wasn’t an option because the sides of a vintage window have deep grooves to allow the windows to raise and lower. Had I secured the coat hooks where I wanted, the screws would be visible from the sides. Make sense?

Easy Window Shelf

Maybe this helps the explanation?

I LOVE these hooks, and they are such a great deal from Dave and the boys at D. Lawless

**I am not an affiliate for them, and I purchase these hooks myself, always spending over $50 so I can get free shipping**  It allows me to sell my windows at a lower price. I didn’t have the hooks for the gray window above, and I paid dearly for the hardware at the store.

I love it! Have you ever priced those wooden brackets? They are really high. I think my friends at D Lawless hardware need to start carrying them!

I took the window shelf to the booth and it sold in just a few days.

Think outside the box when you need brackets, or have you already? Do you have a great, easy, cheap solution for shelf brackets? Do share!

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gail

see more window projects here