Hi everyone and thanks for visiting!
Today I am going to be showing you how to make a window box, or window planter as some people call it.
I just finished making three of these for our three front windows. I finally got to fill them today, and I’m in love!!!! They’ve added so much character to the exterior of our house, in my totally non biased opinion, of course!😄😉
These were such a simple, fun project that anyone can do at any level! You got this! Trust me, if I can build these, so can you!
Let’s get to it so you can add that curb appeal as soon as possible!
This post does contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase from any of the provided links I will make a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. So thank you so much if you do make a purchase through me!
Here’s what you’ll need!
- Wood in the sizes of 1 x 8, 1 x 6, 1 x 3, & a 1 x 2. Note that your 1 x 6 will be the bottom and end side pieces so you’ll need and extra 15” times 2 on top of the length that you want your box to be. So, we needed 71” of the 1 x 6 board so we made sure to have 101” for the end side pieces. Also, the 1 x 8’s make up the sides of your box so you’ll need double your original length on that board size. So for example, we needed 71” of 1 x8 so really we needed 142”.
I only put 2 1 x 8’s because our boxes are so long and these will be the two sides of our box. If your window is smaller, you might only need 1 1 x 8. - A table saw or chop saw
- Wood glue
- A nail gun with finishing nails or a good old hammer and nails would work also.
- Tape Measure
- Pencil
- Wood Stain. This is the exact stain color we used for our boxes.
- An all weather varnish to help protect your boxes. They didn’t have it on amazon, but the picture below is what we used and we got it from Lowe’s.
- To hang them up you’ll need:
- Galvanized L brackets. You will find these in the roofing section at your local home improvement store.
- A hammer drill for drilling into concrete or brick.
- Sleeve Anchors. This is what we used to make sure they were in there really tight and strong.
Okay, let’s get started!!
- First, measure your windows that these boxes will be going under and decide how long you want your boxes to be. Our windows were 71” long, so our boxes are 71” long.
- Measure and mark your 1 x 6 to the length of your window. Then measure and mark another 15” two times. Measure and mark your 1 x 8. Then measure and mark it again at the same length.
- Using your table or chop saw make your cuts on the lines you marked off.
- Grab all your 1 x 6 pieces, the wood glue, and your nail gun. You are going to glue and nail the two end pieces onto the bottom piece so that it looks like the below picture. I glued the bottom of the end pieces and then set them on the 1 x 6 and then nailed them on. Then you have a good base to easily get your 1 x 8’s attached.
- Glue all of that wood that is facing you. Then set your 1 x 8 on it, make sure it’s perfectly lined up and start nailing it in with your nail gun.
- Once the first 1 x 8 is all nailed in turn it over and do the same thing to the other side.
Now you have your box! 
Now it’s time to add the trim pieces!
- For the trim pieces you will measure and mark at the length of your other boards plus an extra 1 1/2 ” and mark it off. Make your cuts.
- I wanted to make my box look bigger so I put my top trim piece (1 x 3) higher than the 1 x 8 board. I laid it down flat, set the top trim piece on it and measured and marked 6″ down on each side and in the middle. Make sure you have an even 3/4″ hanging off on the sides. Once my top trim was all even I started nailing it in with my nail gun. (I didn’t use wood glue for the trim pieces because they’re so light, but you can if you feel the need.)
- I then just lined up the bottom trim (1 x 2) piece evenly with the bottom of the board and nailed that into place making sure I also had an even 3/4″ hanging off the sides before I nailed it down.
- Now you’re going to make the side trim. Grab your scrap 1 x 3 pieces, set them against the side of your box lining it up with your front trim piece, make sure it’s straight and even, and then mark off where the wood meets the back of your box with a pencil. Do this step for all side trim pieces. Then make your cuts. Nail those into place making sure they’re all lined up with your box and other trim pieces perfectly.
- Now pick what color stain you want to use. Stain your whole box, and then let that dry.
- Lastly, using a paint brush and your all weather varnish, coat your box 2-4 times just to make sure they’re super protected since they’ll be outside!
*To hang them up we used galvanized L brackets that I found in the roofing section at Lowe’s. Then to screw them into your wall use a hammer drill and sleeve anchors.
You’re done! You did it! I would love to see pictures of your finished products! Post them in comments here, or tag me on instagram @thedecormama.
AND if you want to add another awesome outdoor project to your list, go check out my DIY Corrugated Metal Raised Garden Bed! It’s still one of my favorite projects to date and we have a ton of stuff growing in it that I can’t wait to eat! Although, my two year old did just chop off half of the jalepeno bushes so that was awesome!🤪🤦🏼♀️😆
Thanks so much for coming and I hope to see you back here real soon for my next project!
XOXO,
Lauren
The Decor Mama