Do you have windows that are too large or low to fit standard furniture pieces under? Check out this long, low under window bookshelf Chris built.
Have I ever told you that I can be a bit of a bully?
It’s true. It doesn’t happen often – but when I want something, I want it.
Usually that entails me doing it for myself, but there are times when I want something for someone else so I pressure them into it.
Only good things – promise.
Like this under window bookshelf… I have wanted one for my friend’s place for over a year. With Covid and lockdown I rarely go over, but it’s been niggling at the back of my mind as to how much better it would look, and how much more storage he could have, if he would just let me build a damn bookcase!
Last week was go-time.
Well, I was building my mudroom built-ins, so technically it was go time for him… whether he liked it or not (hence I’m a bully).
Chris designed this long, low bookshelf to fit perfectly under his window while still allowing room for the heating vent to function.
He used ¾” plywood in Aspen – which had a gorgeous grain – just perfect for a clear coat finish.
The two side sections – with four legs – were built first. Chris ran the 2″ x 2″ legs over the table saw at about ¼” depth to create the neat detail on two sides of each leg.
The two side sections were glued, nailed and then clamped in place until dry.
The centre section of the bookcase is just two pieces of of the plywood, notched at the corners, and then glued in place so that they underlap/overlap the side sections slightly. It’s just a design thing – we didn’t want this to look too “Ikea”.
If you plan on building a version of this under window bookcase and hope to put anything heavy on the centre shelves, Chris suggests attaching small supports underneath the middle shelves for extra strength.
A bit of birch edge-banding hid the plywood edges and gave this low bookshelf an expensive look.
The 2″ x 2″ legs were made from plain old home improvement store lumber and didn’t match the aspen, so I decided to paint them black.
(He designed and built, I sanded and finished.)
I think that little detail makes all the difference don’t you?
Low enough to fit underneath his living room window, long enough to span the distance, with room for ventilation and LOTS of storage for games, books, knick-knacks etc.
I *might have brought in a few items to girly it up a bit – but they were painted in matte black – so I feel like it’s still macho enough for a single-Dad pad.
Bow-chicka-wah-wow Lance Romance.
With a pig farting game underneath. 🤦🏻♀️
The candles can only help his “game”. 😂
If you have large windows that don’t allow for a console table underneath – this under window bookshelf can easily be adjusted to wider or narrower widths, as well as lower or taller heights. It’s really just a matter of cutting your 2″x 2″s and/or your plywood in longer/shorter lengths.
I’m so glad I pressured him into it – clearly all the credit should go to me and not the designer or builder. 😂
All kidding aside – this is a beautiful piece Chris – thank you for letting me share your plans.
Have a great one!