Indoor-Outdoor Window Hutch — Make It on Both Sides of a Wall!

2 Materials
$25
3 Hours
Medium

Adding shelves to our window inspired us to create a hutch by adding a table below. Then we realized a hutch could be made on both the inside and outside of a window at the same time. Back to back! Check out our VIDEO for tips on how to make an indoor-outdoor window hutch.

How to Make an Indoor-Outdoor Window Hutch

With the right shelves you can make a window — or windows — even those in a rental property, into beautiful storage. There are many styles of shelves and hardware that will work and still allow you to open and close a window.

Our shelves were very simple. But even simple shelves make a window extra functional.

We added a table to complete the look of a hutch. You can add a buffet, a console, a desk, a table, a dresser … any piece that will add storage or a work surface on top.

Before

This photo is what our poor window looked like when we started this series, How to Make a Sad Window Cheerful Three Ways.

The brackets were a great find at Hobby Lobby on sale.

A long-handled screwdriver with a rubberized grip made screwing the shelves in place very easy. You could also use a power screwdriver. Press the wood toward the screwdriver as you screw. Use screws that are short enough that they will not break through your shelf when they are fully turned.

We made our shelves sturdy. Later we'll add some small rails so that objects will not easily tumble off.

Even if you have multiple windows that are spread apart, you can get the effect of a hutch or dresser because shelves and furniture tie everything together … especially if you use paint to make all the surfaces match.

If you have a window outdoors that is over a patio, porch, or level ground, you can add a work surface below and matching shelves. Our YouTube video gives tips on how you can place shelves and still be able to open a window.

This is what the window looked like inside, before.

Here is our window now, inside. We didn't know the sill was concrete and made to look like varnished wood. The crusty air conditioner had never been moved! Now it looks like a scene from Cornwall (in our dreams) with a very deep sill. We really don't need a hutch here, but we've got our eye on another window where we can do the indoor-outdoor window hutch, as illustrated in the video at the link above.

We've got something fun planned for the top shelf too. That will be Part Three. If that's too much suspense …

… here's a peek at what we're using in Part Three of How to Make a Sad Window Cheerful! For more photos of this project, check out blog page here. Don't forget our contest running September 2020 for a free roll of the lead tape. The information is in our post about making the leaded glass effects. See you soon!

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Stephie McCarthy
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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  • Melissa Soucy Melissa Soucy on Nov 20, 2020

    you never cease to amaze me at what you do you always give me ideas not as elaborate as yours but ideas I love the table it really adds to that window effect and your hanging lamp is just wonderful

  • Anna Ibarra Anna Ibarra on Nov 20, 2020

    This is genius! 👌🏼😍. I have a window I can do this too. It looks into the master bathroom 😬, LOL but it is off a private large balcony, and I can make it try it. Thanks,

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