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I'm installing a wardrobe at the edge of a window in my 1930s apartment. The sides of the wardrobe are plumb, but the window frame is not, as you can see in the photo -- about 5/8" over roughly 63"H. (The lower piece of blue tape in the picture marks where it's about 1/4" off, and the upper one about 1/2".) There's no easy way to straighten the old metal frame -- opening up the wall isn't feasible -- so it seems my only option is to compensate for it. (I am able to drill/screw into the frame.)

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I thought about covering the entire wardrobe side with 1/4" drywall or plywood, extending back into the frame to make a single surface, but that would leave the extra 1/4" sticking past the door at the front and I can't move the door. Something like thin Masonite would fit at the frame bottom, but I don't know what support I could put behind it with so little depth available (and the frame's vertical lip prevents attaching anything behind the wardrobe). So, I'm at a loss, and would really appreciate any ideas. Thanks so much!!

SpackleIsMyFriend
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Shim the bottom (right side) of the furniture until it lines up with the window.

If the windowframe isn't plumb, the furniture next to it should not be either...

Basically, in an old house (or sometimes not so old) your options are to jack the house so some part of it is level or plumb (getting all parts that way may not be achievable, and jacking houses comes with risks of its own) or accept that to look like it belongs, the new thing will need to match the old, hard to move thing, with whatever compromises that entails. Few things on shelves care much if the shelf is perfectly level. Most that do can be leveled on an un-level shelf.

Ecnerwal
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