If you have an ugly, outdated doorbell box; you know the type, usually yellow or off white with a speaker cover on it, kind of resembling an old fashioned radio, and you want to keep your existing doorbell (hey, it works fine) but want to disguise the ugly hardware then create an open shelving pattern for a great look and effective camouflage. Doing so is fairly easy and the end result is just great.
First of all, decide how many open shelving boxes you are going to make to create a pattern. I used three that I tiered like stairs, but you can make them up and down, sideways, spaced apart in a geometric design, or you can even make one single box, if you choose to.
Gather the supplies you will need for the job. They are the following:
Tape Measure
Enough wood to make your project (this depends on the size and amount you make)
Safety glasses
Circular saw
Pencil
Tape measure
Level
Drill and drill bits
Clamps
Chisel
Dry wall screws
Keyhole hangers (two for each box)
Self-Drilling anchors (two for each box)
Sandpaper
Paint primer
Paint or stain (depending on your desired finished look)
Don your safety glasses and cut your boards to the desired size with your circular saw. You want four pieces for each box; two that are the same for the edges, and two that are the same size for the top and bottom pieces. Make these same cuts for any other boxes you are going to be hanging for this project.
If you are going to paint or stain your wood, you can do this first and allow it to dry thoroughly. Just be sure to touch up any areas that may need it once installation is complete. Run sandpaper over the wood to rough it up a bit first. This allows the primer or paint to adhere better.
Use a clamp to hold in place one corner of your box. You create this corner by overlapping a long piece of wood over a short one (the top or bottom piece over a side piece) and drilling into place. Space your screws several inches a part and make sure you allow room at the end of each piece to prevent splintering from screws. Countersink your screws. Now you want to do the same thing with the other two pieces of wood, after you have fit them into place with these two pieces, effectively creating a box to your desired sizing. Drill and countersink the corners.
If you are putting boxes up that are going to be attached to one another, after you make them, screw them together with drywall screws at this point.
Install your keyhole hangers with a drill making sure they are going into studs so that your boxes are certain to remain firmly attached to the wall when complete. You want to countersink them into the wood so your boxes are flat against the wall. You can do that with a chisel, making sure you only make the space big enough for the hanger to fit snugly in it allowing for a flush surface. Screw or nail the hangers in place. You want to do this for each box space.
Use your level to make sure your boxes are in the right position. Use your pencil to lightly mark the corners on the wall. Install self-drilling anchors and then screw the drywall screws into them. Attach your boxes so that your hangers are over the screws in the wall and pull it gently but firmly into place. You now have an attractive doorbell box that turns an ugly fixture into a decorative one. If you are installing multiple boxes you can add decorative items to the other boxes, such as flowers, photographs, books, knick-knacks, trinkets, etc., depending on where the boxes are located and what your current decorating theme is going to be.
You now have a simple-to-make decorative shelving system for your doorbell box and any other items you wish to display. If you choose to be more fancy in your woodworking, feel free to do so. You can create different edging styles or add decorative finish if you wish. Your options are as endless as your ideas.
