How to Build a Chest Under a Window

Use a measuring tape to measure the width of the space beneath the window. Install the chest across the full length of the wall under the window. Take the measurement from one side wall to the next. This project works best in window nooks and alcoves.

Cut four pieces of 2-by-4-inch lumber to the width of the space beneath the window using a jig saw or table saw. Measure the desired depth of the chest and cut four more pieces of 2-by-4-inch lumber using this measurement minus 4 inches. Use these boards to construct the frame for your chest.

Lay one of the longer 2-by-4-inch boards on the floor upright. Place it on its narrow end flush with the wall beneath the window. If there is trim or baseboard on the wall under the window, you need to use the curved end of a hammer or a pry bar to pry it loose to remove it before completing this step.

Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall under the window. Attach the 2-by-4-inch board by driving nails from a nail gun through the board into the studs. Measure the desired height for your chest and install a second 2-by-4-inch board flush against the wall at this height following the same procedure.

Position the shorter pieces of 2-by-4-inch lumber flush with the walls. Place these on either side of the window at the same height as the lower and upper boards. Press one end of each board up against the boards attached to the wall, aligning the upper and lower edges. Attach the boards to the wall by driving nails from a nail gun through the boards into the studs.

Position the final two 2-by-4-inch pieces of lumber horizontally between the walls on either side of the window. Align these with the shorter boards you just attached. One board should be laid on the ground with both ends flush with the ends of the shorter, perpendicular pieces. The second board should be installed at the desired height of the chest, its ends flush with the shorter perpendicular pieces attached to the wall.

Add vertical supports between the upper and lower frames if you intend to use your storage chest for seating. Measure the distance between the lower edge of the upper frame and the top edge of the bottom frame. Cut four pieces of 2-by-4-inch lumber to this length. Slide the pieces of wood between the two frames at each of the corners and secure in place. Drive nails from a nail gun through the wood into the studs in the wall and toe-nailing nails into the upper and lower frames.

Cut a piece of 1-inch plywood to the length and height dimensions of the chest frame you just completed. Lay the piece of plywood upright against the front of the chest frame. Align the upper edge with the top of the upper horizontal 2-by-4-inch piece of lumber and the side edges with the edges of the walls on either side of the window.

Secure the piece of plywood in place by driving nails from a nail gun through the plywood into the wooden frame beyond.

Cut five pieces of 1-by-4-inch lumber to construct a top frame for your chest. Cut three of the pieces using the length measurement of the chest. Cut the remaining two using the depth measurement minus 8.

Position the narrow end of one of the longer pieces of 1-by-4-inch lumber against the inside of the upper 2-by-4-inch piece of lumber in the front of the chest frame. Align the flat surface of the 1-by-4-inch piece of lumber with the upper edge of the frame. Secure the piece of 1-by-4-inch lumber in place by toe-nailing nails from a nail gun through the top of the wood into the piece of 2-by-4-inch lumber.

Lay the longer pieces of 1-by-4-inch lumber flat on top of the longer 2-by-4-inch pieces of lumber, composing the upper frame and aligning the outer edges. Secure the pieces of 1-by-4-inch lumber in place by driving nails through it into the wooden frame beneath. In the front of the chest, the first piece of 1-by-4-inch lumber should extend beyond the second piece you installed by about 2 inches, creating a lip on which the lid of the chest will rest.

Lay the shorter pieces of 1-by-4-inch lumber flat, sandwiched between the longer pieces on either end of the chest, with the outer edges flush with the wall. Secure these in place with nails from the nail gun.

Measure the length and width of the opening between the 1-by-4-inch pieces of lumber you just installed. Cut a piece of 1-inch plywood using these measurements. Lay the piece of plywood flat inside the opening to serve as the lid for your chest. Install the lid by screwing two large metal hinges along the back edge of the plywood and onto the inside edge of the 1-by-4-inch piece of lumber installed along the back of the chest.

Paint or stain your chest as desired using wood stain or interior-grade latex primer and paint. Once the paint and stain has dried, you can cover the chest with throw pillows if you intend to use it for both storage and seating. You may leave it uncovered for storage purposes only.