How to Build a Box Shelf Behind a Kitchen Sink Next to a Window

Box shelves make nice accent shelves for displaying decorations. A box shelf near your kitchen sink window, for example, would be ideal for a small dry vase with cut flowers. Make your own box shelf next to your kitchen sink window as simple do-it-yourself project. Instead of using new lumber, select some reclaimed barn boards from a salvage yard. The character of the old boards will add to the charm of the box shelf design. You can customize the dimensions to meet your space requirements.

2 Barn boards, 1-by-10-inch, 18 inches long
2 Barn boards, 1-by-10-inch, 24 inches long
Miter saw
Fine-grit sanding block
Wood glue
Frame clamp
Damp cloth
4 keyhole mounts, with screws
Screw gun
Clear spray lacquer

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a 45-degree angle on the ends of the barn boards using a miter saw. The angled ends should be opposing each other on one side of the board so that they fit together like a picture frame to form a rectangular box.
- 2
  Sand the cut edges of the boards with a fine-grit sanding block until they are smooth. Apply wood glue to the cut edges and fit the boards together to form a rectangular assembly.
- 3
  Clamp the assembly with a frame clamp and wipe off the excess glue that squeezes out with a damp cloth. Remove the clamp after 24 hours.
- 4
  Stand the assembly upright with one 1-by-10-by-18-inch side flat on the work surface. Align one keyhole mount on each corner of the 1-by-24-inch edges approximately 2 inches in from the ends. Make sure that the larger opening in the mounts is facing down so that when you hang it over a screw in the wall the screw will enter through the larger opening and slide into the narrower slot. Fasten the mounts to the assembly with a screw gun.
- 5
  Spray two coats of clear lacquer on the assembly. Allow the lacquer to dry 4 hours between coats. Wait 24 hours before you handle the box shelf.
- 6
  Hold the box shelf assembly against the wall behind the kitchen sink next to the window. Mark the location of the mounts onto the wall with a pencil. Set the box shelf assembly aside. Drive the mounting screws included with the mounts into the wall at the marked locations with a screw gun. Lift the box shelf assembly up, align the mounts with the screws and lower it onto the screws to hang it on the wall.

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