DIY: Removable Window Shelf for Plants

Even in the dead of winter, I am buying new plants. My family thinks I’m crazy — yep, crazy plant lady! — but they support my love for greenery. They often add to my collection, which has created a need for more indoor space to contain them. I also needed a place high enough that the dog wouldn’t be able to nibble them.

The simple solution was to build a removable shelf in a sunny window.

This removable window shelf is a simple solution for creating space indoors for plants.

I had a few small plants sitting on the existing sill already. Given the terrific sunlight, they were growing like gangbusters. It was only natural to take advantage of the spot by extending the ledge.

Here’s what I did:

I bought a 1″ x 8″ x 6′ pine board and cut it to length with a miter saw. I then cut out the back two corners (marked below with an “X”) so the shelf would rest against the window.

This removable window shelf is a simple solution for creating space indoors for plants.

To account for the caulk along the windowsill, I routed a beveled edge along the shelf’s bottom.

It’s not a necessary step, but the clearance lets the shelf sit tight against the window.

This removable window shelf is a simple solution for creating space indoors for plants.

Then Sam got really fancy and routed a lovely edge along the front of the shelf.

He used this ogee bit, which he had on-hand from building our daughter’s dresser.

This removable window shelf is a simple solution for creating space indoors for plants.

A couple of passes through the router and my simple shelf concept was vastly enhanced.

This removable window shelf is a simple solution for creating space indoors for plants.

After a light sanding, the shelf was ready for paint. I wonder now if I shouldn’t have stained it instead, giving it a farmhouse charm… but it got two coats of white paint.

While that dried, I cleaned and fixed the caulk around the window.

This removable window shelf is a simple solution for creating space indoors for plants.

Every so often I’ll host a party and slide the sofa in front of the window to make more room, but otherwise there’s nothing blocking the window.

Nevertheless, I wanted the option to remove the shelf without too much work or damage, and so Sam came up with these guys.

This removable window shelf is a simple solution for creating space indoors for plants.

He cut two blocks out of the scrap (from when the board was cut to length), then sanded and painted the exposed edges.

To avoid the chance of the wood splitting during installation, he drilled pilot holes and added countersinks so the drywall screws would drive flush.

He then installed them in the corners right above the shelf.

This removable window shelf is a simple solution for creating space indoors for plants.

Now you can slide the shelf in and out, and the little boxes keep it from tipping forward.

A quick touch-up with white paint to the screw heads and the little boxes are virtually invisible.

This removable window shelf is a simple solution for creating space indoors for plants.

A seriously easy fix that makes me, my plants and my dog seriously happy.

This removable window shelf is a simple solution for creating space indoors for plants.

Thanks to this removable window shelf, I can easily bring plants indoors over winter and start new ones before spring has officially sprung.

What are some of your favorite house plants?
Please share in the comments below.
Thanks so much for reading! — v.


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11 thoughts on “DIY: Removable Window Shelf for Plants”

  • Luckily I found this post again as I really need to do this ASAP in my dining area It’s narrow so having the shelf removable will allow me to extend the table when needed.

    I’ve started experimenting with growing houseplants in water so need more shelving. So far I’ve had great success rooting cuttings – now I’m trying lemongrass and orchid.

  • Great idea for my houseplants. Since I have old drafty double hung windows (home built in the 1870’s) I use shrink wrap on most of my windows in winter. I have shelf brackets on either side of my windows for shelves in front of the window. I will however build this easy to build plant shelf for a different use on a newer window that gets very little sun; a window perch for my cat. A bird feeder is about 20′ from the window.

  • Serendipity! Just lately trying to think of a way to fit plants on my windowsills. This looks like a great way to do it. Hope my daughter can construct it for me.- Thanks!

  • I found this webpage on Pinterest. Great idea! Very easy , and the shelf came out beautiful! The blocks on the ends was a great idea! I wasn’t sure how I was going to complete this task until I saw your page. Thank you for posting!

  • This is a great idea and quite easy . I did Ogee the ends and that made the shelf match up perfectly to the window sill. Hold down blocks were a great idea. Thanks

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