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    Home » Repurposed Items » Easy Window Shelf

    Easy Window Shelf

    Published by Gail | Published August 2, 2016 | Updated June 23, 2021
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    How to make an easy window shelf with hooks out of unexpected bits & pieces. Step by step instructions so you can make this a quick weekend project. #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #window #hookrack #coatrack via @repurposedlife

    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!

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

    parts is partsThen 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.

    gray window shelf with coffee cup and lemonsYou 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)
    • 1x6 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

    designing window shelfIn 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

    gorilla wood glue and ryobi nail gunI cut a 1x6 to size and used Gorilla Wood Glue and my Ryobi Airstrike nail gun to attach the brackets and the window shelf.

    Sand window project

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

    Prepare to paint

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

    first coat chalky paint primerThis 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

    d ringsI 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!

    white window shelfI 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

    coat hooks on easy window shelfMaybe 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.

     

     

    simple white window hook shelf MyRepurposedLife.comI 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!

    vendors village booth 303I took the window shelf to the booth and it sold in just a few days.

    easy window shelf with hooks MyRepurposedLife.com

    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!

    Follow along on Facebook and Pinterest

    gail

     

    see more window projects here

     

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    1. Derrick Lawless

      September 21, 2016 at 9:32 am

      Thanks so much for the kind words and the post! We really appreciate all your word of mouth. Competition is tough for small guys online and we definitely are thankful for all the links you send over!

      Reply
    2. chris aka monkey

      August 03, 2016 at 4:45 pm

      I always love that you put the shelf on the top of the window instead of the bottom like most do, so the hooks can be used and the lawless' are fine bros' and their products are good quality and priced great (i am not affiliated either), finally got the sprayer used to paint a book shelf cabinet and the bottom of an old tv cabinet we now use for the dvd, etc, turned out great xx

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.com

        August 03, 2016 at 5:12 pm

        Thank you Chris! I like the shelf better on the top as well. 🙂

        And I couldn't agree more about the Lawless gang. Always helpful, good prices and great service.

        Yay, happy you go the sprayer and used it for great success. I want to paint something so badly, but it's just too hot!

        gail

    3. Julie @ follow your heart woodworking

      August 02, 2016 at 6:37 pm

      I really like that window shelf. I usually make my own brackets, but your salvaging and saving is a great idea! Those D-rings cost me about $3 for 4! And the only coat hooks I can find are super expensive. I guess I need to shop online!

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.com

        August 02, 2016 at 8:49 pm

        I love saving and using all kinds of parts Julie. The d rings on Amazon are so cheap, I buy them by the hundreds. And the coat hooks at D. Lawless? Can't be beat. I always buy them with other stuff to total $50 so I get free shipping. 🙂 Nice guys, the Lawless'

        thanks for stopping by!!

        gail

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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