Good morning! :) I just know warmer weather is just around the corner. I can feel it! :) How about you? Annnnd I am itching to get my hands in the dirt and plant some flowers! I just love flowers! I really want them everywhere around my house. In the garden, in the flower beds, in pots and in window boxes. The more the merrier! :) So, today I am excited to share how we made these cute DIY Cedar Window Boxes with just a few supplies and in just one afternoon. Let’s get started! :)
We made these window boxes for around $30 each. So, this is a very affordable project as well. Yay! If you follow this tutorial, you will have enough wood & supplies to make two 36 inch window boxes. So please adjust the measurements as needed to fit your windows. Let’s get started! :)
Supply List:
1x12 cedar board
1x8 cedar board
clamps
wood screws
1 inch nails
hammer
wood glue
table saw
miter saw
drill
wood stain (optional)
Remember safety always comes first. Please use eye protection, ear plugs & follow all safety precautions when using power tools.
First, you will trim your wood down. I chose cedar wood for this project because it holds up well outside & is resistant to decay. I made these several years ago, and they are still holding up well. You could also use treated wood if desired. First, you will trim (3) long ½ inch strips off your long 1x12 cedar board. Set them aside to use later on for the trim. Then trim your long board down to match the width of the 1x8 board.
Next cut six 36 inch boards & four 6 inch boards using the 1x8 board & the trimmed down 1x12 board.
Assemble your boxes as shown & clamp each box into place using three 36 inch pieces & two shorter 6 inch end pieces. Remember you will be able to make 2 boxes from the wood we cut just cut. Also, on this step you will need to decide if you want the rough side of the board or the smooth side of the board on the outside of your window box. Since I wasn’t planning on staining mine, I decided to have the rough side of the wood out. I love the texture it gives the window boxes.
Next, you will screw your boxes together using wood screws. Always predrill your holes before screwing in the screws. This will help prevent the wood from splitting. Use two screws, one at the top & one on the bottom, on each side & on both ends of each of your window boxes.
Flip your window box over, clamp on the bottom piece & then you’ll be able to screw the bottom piece into place. You’ll screw in two screws on each end & two screws along each side of each window box.
You’ll want your window boxes to have good drainage for watering & when it rains. So, you’ll want to drill four drainage holes along the bottom of each window box using a ½ inch drill bit.
Do you remember the ½ inch trim pieces we set aside in step one? Well, now it’s time to get those out. For each window box you will need (4) 34 ½ inch pieces & (2) shorter 8 inch pieces. Using wood glue & 1 inch nails nail them in place with a hammer.
To make the x across the front, we nailed down one strip going diagonal across the box. Then we used a pencil to mark where to cut the other trim piece where it overlapped. Then we cut that piece with a saw, & then nailed & glued it into place. All done!
The only thing left to do was to hang these window boxes under our favorite windows. To hang ours we used coated wire threaded through the weep holes of our window frames. Then we screwed some wood screws on the back of our boxes & then attached the wire that way.
You could also use shelf brackets, screws or wooden braces depending on what your house is made out of & what is recommended for that material. Then it was time to plant some beautiful flowers. :)
Question or comment? Shoot me an email at ginger@gingersnapcrafts.com. :)
What are you looking forward to this spring? Let me know that, too.
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