How to Build a Kitchen Window Shelf with a Wine Glass Rack

If you have a window over your sink, you can create functionality and keep the view. This shelf is easily removed for cleaning windows. Under the shelf is a wine glass rack for hand drying your most delicate and expensive stem ware. The rack allows the glasses to drip dry into the sink! This shelf was made with scrap lumber and painted with many coats of glossy mildew resistant paint, so its surface is washable.

Things You'll Need

• 1x2" or similar width scrap wood
• wood for shelf, 1/2 thick
• 1/4 x 4" wood trim
• level and ruler
• wine glass rack
• saw
• hammer and nails
• carpenter glue
• screwdriver
• paint brushes
• optional under shelf light

Instructions

1. 

   Measure

   Measure carefully determine the width and depth, leave about and inch between window and shelf. If you have curtains or blinds make sure your shelf leaves enough space to accommodates opening and closing. Determine the height of your shelf. If two people use the kitchen compromise, so the view is good for both.

2. 

   Mark Position Of Shelf

   Use a ruler and level to draw the line for the bottom of the shelf. You will align the top of your supports on this line. Measure the depth of the shelf and subtract one or two inches. Using super strong carpenters glue, run a bead on the wooden support and carefully press onto wall. Make sure the wood is perfectly on the line!

   Hold for a few minutes to set. I tried to screw it in at this point and it moved -messing up the support -so it wasn't level but it's not noticeable.

   Wait until glue is set up and pre-drill holes for screws. Check alignment again and screw through supports into wall. This will add additional support for your shelf.

3. 

   Build Shelf

   Measure the distance front and back to make sure your shelf will fit. Many old houses are no where near square! Cut your shelf and attach border to front, it should be wide enough to hide the wine rack and anything else you attach to the bottom.

   Attach wine glass holder to bottom, have the open end that you slide the glasses positioned towards the window. You have you shelf cut, so it leaves a few inches, which is perfect to accommodate hanging stem ware.

4. 

   Install Shelf

   The shelf should slide right into the space and sit on top of the supports. If it sticks, simply use a wood shaver to shave off thin pieces until it fits in smoothly. You'll want to have it a little loose, since wood swells in humid weather.

   Remember, the shelf is removable so you can wash your windows.

5. 

   Adjust Stemware Rack

   Test the rack by trying different wine glasses. This is the time to make any adjustments, you have all your tools handy!

6. 

   Adjust Shelf

   Check to see how the shelf sits on the supports on each side. This is the time to glue shims in place. A wobbly shelf will cause things on the shelf to fall.

7. 

   Dress Up Your New Shelf

   This shelf has been very handy. I no longer break glasses or search for a 'safe place' to dry them. In the winter the leaves are gone and the window is very sunny -so, I have herbs all winter. It's a great place to put things out of reach of children and dogs. If you need to take medication, this is a good place to keep it out of the way and in sight! There is also plenty of room for a small wine rack, but you'll want too protect the bottle from direct sun and heat

Tips & Warnings

• Add cup hooks to hang mugs

• A very good place to leave car keys, so you are not looking for them all the time.

• The trim facing is a great place for sticky notes!

• Paint with glossy paint to keep it easy to clean.

• Use thick wood for your supports and a good shelf that will not bend or buckle.