Your Guide to the Perfect Window Seat

The window seat has long-been a favorite perch for book-readers and tea-drinkers alike. They’re a dream feature for many, but most homes don’t have one built-in. Don’t let that discourage you—with a little work, you can make it happen. Today, we go through how you can create and decorate the window bench of your dreams, from finding your window seat dimensions to coming up with creative ideas for your window seat. Before you know it, you’ll be curling up and enjoying the view.

• No Window Seat? No Problem!
• Get Comfy
• Picking Patterns
• Curl Up and Enjoy

No Window Seat? No Problem!

If you’re not one of the lucky ones with a built-in seat, you can make your own.

There are many guides out there that go through how to build a window bench from scratch such as this one.

But if you don’t have much of an inner craftsman, there are other ways.

Finding Your Window Bench Dimensions

The first step in building your own window bench is finding the right window seat dimensions.

If you want your window seat dimensions to be the same size as  your window, first measure the size of the window you’re building the seat for.

However, if you plan on making your seat dimensions to be bigger or smaller than your window size, compare the window dimensions to the desired, height, length, and depth of your window seat.

Building Your New Window Seat

Now that you have the dimensions of your bench planned out, it’s time to build! You can purchase lumber either cut to size or that you will cut yourself to build the seat with.

Is purchasing lumber is too expensive or building your own bench is too time consuming? No problem! Pick up a flat-pack of sturdy shelves or cabinets and configure them so they’re horizontal under the window and about the right height to sit on.

The key here is to make sure the shelves are able to hold the weight of people sitting on them. Plus, they should be properly anchored for safety.

Get Comfy

Do you plan to sit on your bench quickly to put on some shoes, or do you want to settle in for a reading session?

For a quick sit, you can leave the top of the bench without a cushion. Just toss on a few decorative pillows to make it clear that it is indeed a seat, and you’re good to go.

A cushion is the key to a truly cozy spot near the window. Depending on the size of the bench, you might be able to find a pre-made cushion out there.

To save money, create the perfect-sized cushion, and control the look, make a DIY cushion.

Picking Patterns

Whether buying or making your cushion and pillows, you have to consider how you want them to look.

Since they’re a small-scale design choice compared to a couch or a carpet, you can have a lot of fun with color and pattern.

Before choosing your color scheme, ask yourself these questions:

• What styles/colors are in the room surrounding the seat?
• What color are the window treatments?
• What colors/patterns make you happy?

Your window seat doesn’t have to match the room, but it should compliment it. If you have a room with grey neutrals, you can play with a fun pattern, like a navy chevron.

A room with loud curtains, on the other hand, may benefit better from a neutral bench.

No matter what color you choose, use outdoor fabric instead of indoor. Since the cushion will be by a window, outdoor fabric does a better job of holding up against the sun without fading.

Curl Up and Enjoy

Now that you have your amazing window bench, take a seat with your favorite drink and your favorite book on a snowy day and relax.

Enjoy the view of your backyard from the comfort of your home or watch the soothing patterns of the rain while staying dry. Your window bench is your own personal getaway and your ticket to comfort and relaxation.

Since the window seat is as much about the window as the seat, you might want to bring your window up to par.

Contact us if you want help replacing the perfect picture window, bay window, or set of double hung windows to pull your dream together.