How to Build & Install Window Cornice Boxes | Quick & Easy Project!

Step by step how I built and installed these custom window cornice boxes / valanes.
Check out some of my build plans! - www.johnbuildsit.com/plans
Follow me on Instagram: @johnbuildsit / johnbuildsit
Facebook: / johnbuildsit
TikTok: tiktok.com/@johnbuildsit
Tools/Products Used:
4’x8’ Bora Centipede Work Table - amzn.to/3uN1h11
Dewalt Right Angle attachment - amzn.to/3r2xZKv
Freud 12" Ultimate cutoff blade - amzn.to/3yIStu7
Mirka Sandpaper sample - amzn.to/3cJkBEd
Starbond CA Glue - amzn.to/33Bsa9b
Graco Magnum X5 - amzn.to/3qZuvZb
Graco 9.5 HVLP - amzn.to/3lRC8gH
Dewalt 20V Max XR Brushless Drill & Impact Kit - amzn.to/3elOMRA
Dustopper Dust Separator - homedepot.sjv.io/0J2zVO
Milwaukee 18g Brad Nailer - amzn.to/3mDFvJe or homedepot.sjv.io/A4Lkx
Milwaukee M12 23g Pinner - homedepot.sjv.io/5bgme2
Milwaukee M12 Fuel Hammer Drill & Impact gun - homedepot.sjv.io/eMjaQ or amzn.to/2OWb4h9
Delta Dust Collector -amzn.to/3e2ZYF6 or homedepot.sjv.io/LPa9qV
Delta Cruzer 12" Miter Saw - amzn.to/3sCK88c
Dewalt Sander - amzn.to/2HuKJXX or homedepot.sjv.io/JgDev
Titebond Quick & Thick Glue - amzn.to/3wBgYb7
Sola Big Red 48" level - amzn.to/3k4rmpf
DryDex Spackling (used for filling nail holes) -amzn.to/2L5Z7UR
Crown molding - homedepot.sjv.io/a15AjQ
Base Cap molding - homedepot.sjv.io/JrJVON
Primed 1x8 - homedepot.sjv.io/ZdXKLW
Primed 1x6 - homedepot.sjv.io/gbD6q0
*As a Home Depot and Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this post.

[@krissifaith6709]

That tape trick was brilliant and the centering to do solo install. Wow. Love what it did to that space. Makes the room look more taller and spacious.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you!! I appreciate it!

[@ahmedalrawie706]

Amazing , you are truly professional. Thanks!

[@KevCoLabs]

A TON of great advice packed into this straight-forward, concise video. I'm not sure I would've thought to do any of these without having watched it. Thank you! • Buying the pre-primed pine to save money • Using painter's tape to line up the mitered corners • Cutting the crown molding nested and upside down to avoid beveling the miter saw • CA glue bridge to reinforce the crown mold's adhesion to the main box • Adding oversized washers to the ends of the curtain rods to prevent the curtain from slipping off • Installing a 1x2 cleat to mount it rather than a handful of angle brackets • Lining up the cleat with the ceiling rather than window itself You've saved me a lot of time. I seriously appreciate it. *cue end-of-comment jingle* "Save big money at Menards."

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Awesome, glad you found it so helpful, thanks for watching!

[@johnsmith-fz3qk]

What a fantastic addition to an already lovely home. 👍

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks I appreciate it!!

[@tanyamarsh4392]

Absolutely beautiful!! Really gives the room an elegant look.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

I agree, thanks for watching!!

[@nikkihopson5362]

Beautiful little helper you have there!🥰❤️ and I absolutely love this idea! Made a huge difference, great work again John

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you!!

[@andamargine5967]

Love it! Thank you so much for sharing. I don't need to research anything else. I'm sure it will look awesome once done. 🤩🙏

[@makermark67]

Great project, John. Great job as always. Thanks for this one.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks Mark!

[@LeroyJenkins13]

That made a big difference. Another great video. I need to make sure my wife doesn’t find this channel or I am going to be busy.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Hahaha, thanks man!

[@pcbexile1078]

You said it before I could. Lol

[@leticiaarroyo6439]

I m making this, love the way they look on your window, wow what a difference

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you!!

[@chrisroyak4479]

Great finishing touch for the windows and curtains! Another great project and video!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

I appreciate it man!

[@kevinhopson4291]

Makes a huge difference 👊🏻

[@LisaCunninghamLieveEnterprises]

Beautifully done!. What a difference! 💕💝💗💖

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you!!

[@MuslimComputerTuts]

Wow, man. Knocked it out the park 👏👏👏

[@erhantimur]

Absolutely beautiful

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks for watching!!

[@justjo5379]

Beautiful! I love them!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@timscott3311]

Wow! It turned out great!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks!!

[@pcbexile1078]

Great idea with the window box and a great video start to finish.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks I appreciate it!

[@Whois2440]

That really created a WOW effect in the room. I think this is a winter project for me! Great work.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks for watching!

[@nadinepiazzabaldwin5322]

So pretty - but seriously...THE WORKSHOP is amazing!

[@r3jk8]

Wow! Looks great!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you!

[@wcmauldin81]

Very nice project that adds a nice character to the space.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks man!

[@MichelMawon4982]

That LOOKS awesome!!!!!! You're really good at explaining.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you!!

[@alexat62]

Excellent DIY video; succinct yet enough detail to follow along. Gave me the confidence to attempt it myself.. Thanks!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Awesome, thanks for watching!!

[@ariesylvester7232]

love your work and art skills

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you!!

[@josephsantoli9972]

Excellent work. Very nice addition

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you!!

[@austinferdinands]

Looks amazing!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks man!

[@holdemNE1]

These look great. Very enjoyable video. Thanks for posting.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you!!

[@SledDog5678]

Beautiful work!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you!

[@edprosser9685]

Followed your general procedure and it worked like a charm! Great tips and video!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Awesome!

[@robc4440]

Will be hanging mine tomorrow. Thank you for your awesome video.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Awesome man!

[@wf8933]

Great job, it looks a lot better now

[@JohnBuildsIt]

I think so too!

[@animeanibe]

Beautiful job!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you!

[@graceandgravel8345]

So beautiful!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks!!

[@timothyjones6601]

I just got finished with mine and wouldn't have attempted but your video was spot on. I did everything you did and turned out amazing. I cant thank you enough for sharing your expertise. The tape trick and crown cuts were a game changer for me!!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Awesome!!

[@angelrodriguez-rj2uk]

You did an amazing job !! Great video!! 👍🏼

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks!

[@brunoangel4556]

Great job very elegant.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you!

[@bellabell737]

Fantastic! My husband just built a 3,000 sq. Ft. House and was going mad bcs I want a cornice. He watched this and got some great pointers. Thank you🇨🇦

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Awesome!!

[@machone1672]

Nicely done!!!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks!!

[@jimmyr4448]

Looks awesome 👌

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks!!

[@PaulScott_]

Smashing job and now I have to get off my duff and try those in the bedroom. I just have two to do, each about 4ft in length so thanks for the inspiration and sharing what you do!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Awesome man, thanks for watching!

[@lisasuidgeest7368]

You make it looks so dang easy!! Thanks!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks for watching!!

[@joedez454]

wow. looks great.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks!!

[@Jmhfl7]

looks great!!!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@williamkennedy1149]

Love everything you do. Never miss a video but the cornice look takes me back to 1990

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Haha it fits with this house though!

[@davidmarshall6188]

Another great video sir and great idea they look wonderful

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you!!

[@taylorhopson9740]

Love it!!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you!

[@haywardgordon1973]

Thanks for the info, great teaching project

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks for watching!

[@jamesyoungblood5263]

Nice clean work!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks!

[@shirleyrobinson3423]

Great job I love what you did to your window

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you!!

[@kathyphetteplace6053]

Loved the video!! It made a huge visual difference and really looks beautiful!! Loved that darling baby girl in the Intro as well!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you!!

[@stevendiffy768]

Wow, that looks great! I want to build an entire box with wood on all four side. And then I can attach curtains/blinds to that. But. I may just do it this way.

[@Maxwendler7]

Great video John

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks man!

[@jonspringhorn5224]

Nice work brother. Looks fantastic

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks! 👍

[@uhhh684]

Love the cross😁

[@guzmangil5476]

this is f... good! I was going to build a simple bulkhead with drywall and you gave me a new approach to (I learned the word just now) pelmets.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Haha right on!

[@rahspardobvy709]

Thank you!

[@thomaswoods3420]

Nice project!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks!!

[@_ErIc1976]

Hey man that looks great and seems pretty cheap . Thanks brother God bless

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you! 👊🏼

[@jacobrios8374]

Great job buddy

[@JohnBuildsIt]

🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@cutflower36]

Very nice!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks!

[@Opine.Social]

Thanks for the post. I had to make mine 9' long so I added to support brackets in the middle. Also the width was 10" so I used MDF instead of pine.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Nice!!

[@tomm8188]

I’ve never considered adding these to my home but now thanks to you and this video, my list of projects just grew. LOL Great job!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Haha sorry man! 😂

[@tomm8188]

@@JohnBuildsIt Haha, all good man. Keep up the great videos!

[@keith536]

I grew up in a house with custom cornices in every room but the basement. We had fluorescent indirect lighting over the longer ones. Never thought how nice those were till I was building my own house. I didn't do it but building some now.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

They make such a huge difference!

[@patchworkpoppit]

Wow... Nice job. I want to makes these. I immediately subscribed after watching.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks for watching!!

[@karynagostino2853]

Soulful Whisper 🙋‍♀️ Same! I'm a follower now!

[@obughan2266]

Man U have a dream work shop .. awesome 👏

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks for watching!!

[@joannebogias9299]

Great vid

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks for watching!

[@TJay1999]

These are gorgeous! I'll be using yours as a reference point for mine when I build them. You did a fantastic job with the instructions.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Awesome, thanks for watching!

[@dandsarahyrudder8650]

solid!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks for watching!

[@VijayKumar-pj7wf]

good job 👌 may God bless you.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thank you!!

[@beck943]

This is IMPRESSIVE!! I don't have the tools to do this myself...I don't suppose you travel to do this for other people 😃

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Haha, thank you!!

[@WellsLarry]

I like em.

[@jguerrero837]

Hello! Great video and guidance. I just built 5 of them! They look amazing! Wish I could post pictures. Thank you! 👍💪

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Awesome!!

[@csimet]

Nice build. I did something similar, but 4 sided with a back piece against the wall, to hide my zebra shades. I'm okay with curtain rods showing, but hate the look of most blind tops. They not only hide them, but also allow me to hold the blind mounts without the need to screw them into the window frames or walls and are solid unlike many mounts that rely on drywall anchors.

[@kaylaolmstead2196]

Cool! I’ll take 3 please! 🤣

[@JohnBuildsIt]

👌🏽👌🏽

[@carolvancleef4570]

I came here looking for ways, primarily, to mount cornices I want to build to hide 6 wall-mounted, upward shining light fixtures (which look all the world like they were made from rain gutter.) The largest alteration from your installation is that I think I'd simply need to mount it upside-down! (If I get so fancy as to add crown molding, I'd attach that right side up, of course.) Since mine would have a 'bottom' rather than a 'top' I could mount the wall cleat below the fixtures, place the 'bottom' below the cleat and screw upwards, through the bottom and into the cleat. (My very simple and basic original design was to leave top and bottom open to save material costs.) Maybe I'll add one small, inconspicuous, L-bracket, over-hanging the top of each side, to prevent the top edge from pivoting out. -Thanks for the ideas!

[@bosoares]

Looks pretty good, definitely makes the room look more expensive.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

I agree, thanks for watching!

[@neilmcintosh5150]

I'm a British architect and I can tell you these 'pelmets' are very impressive.

[@mikemeister458]

Yeah boy!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@camos79]

Shit hot, mate. We’ll done and thank you.

[@laikeo5437]

thank will build windows for my room

[@ohandanotheronebitesthedus6247]

Oh thats really nice man the wife will love this who deserves the brownie points me or you lol

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Haha all you man!

[@audreylenell2985]

Fantastic job!!!! Omg, this project was executed to sheer perfection. Love your eye for detail. Windows look amazing!!❤

[@robc4440]

Awesome job John. Exactly what I was thinking and looking for. Can you tell me more about the Cleat? What did you use? Thanks

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Just a 1x2 if I’m remembering right

[@tdavey5599]

HI John--excellent job!!! I couldn't build these in 100 days and mine still wouldn't look anywhere near as good as yours

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Haha I appreciate it, nothing to these though!

[@edwardyandoc2004]

very nice, i'm worried about showing my wife this video, if i do she will want them this weekend

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Haha I hear ya on that!

[@krg3604]

This inspired me to do the very same. I used a 1x2 anchored into the header with 6 deck screws and the cornice is also attached with 6 deck screws. Any idea on how much weight you could place on top of this? thinking shelf decorations. Thank you!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

I’d feel confident hanging on them with my body weight haha any decorations will be fine 👍🏽

[@icedanilzation]

This is almost exactly what I was looking for, thanks for doing this. One question I have is, how would I do it so that it mounts to the ceiling, would it just be a matter of finding the ceiling studs and screwing through the roof of the pelmet into the ceiling studs?

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Yea!

[@stevemansfield6237]

Hi John - Great video and I am going to start working on a small bedroom cornice after seeing your work. Quick question what are the dimensions of the pre-primed pine that you were working with? Primarily the height of each board. Thanks a ton

[@JohnBuildsIt]

They’re 1x8s, so 7.25 wide 👍🏽

[@babymamabda09]

Great job! Looks good. Where did you get the curtains?

[@JohnBuildsIt]

I think Kohls. Was probably 5 years ago though!

[@rafael2661]

🙌

[@mattdirado6834]

Love it. Exactly what i want to build. How many hours did it take someone with your experience to build one?

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Maybe a couple hours to get materials and build! With fast drying primer and paint they were done in a day👍🏽

[@patrickguyot1290]

Very nice job ❤,what is that nail gun your using?

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Milwaukee M18 18g brad nailer

[@thomasbrown6303]

What did you add behind the crown to add strength? They look 👍

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Just beads of glue. Sometimes I use dowels for more glue surface

[@Gleadogg]

Great stuff as usual! No eye protection while using the miter saw? As an emergency room tech I've seen it all, and it's only a matter of time, Brother.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Man I always do and in all my other videos I am haha guess I just forgot here only being a few quick cuts. Thanks for watching!

[@turmat01]

I might do that in my room to block the light from hitting the ceiling

[@JohnBuildsIt]

yep that's a great benefit of them!

[@texasmike7994]

Damn son, that’s awesome. Where are you located

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Indiana

[@texasmike7994]

@@JohnBuildsIt same here, up here in lake county

[@joycekozain9351]

Could you please tell me the measurement on the side pieces? It looks like 4" or so? Your video is amazing! Thanks!

[@JohnBuildsIt]

Thanks! It’s 6”

[@FawnaNazza]

Hi there love your cornices. I am planning on making several myself. I was wondering how wide your pine board was? 1x6 or 1x8. Your trim in your house looks similar to what I have in mine. Nice job love the cornices.

[@JohnBuildsIt]

The face is 1x8 and top is 1x6

[@FawnaNazza]

Thank you so very much.

[@gartoy]

Where the French cleats in your material list? How did you attached them to the wall?