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Window Seats
Window seats are a great addition to any home – they provide both extra seating and extra storage and they can become a staple element of your home’s décor. Think window seats, and you probably think of curling up with a good book or magazine, or enjoying the view of your garden from the comfort of your home.
Choosing a Window for your Window Seat
Ideal windows for your window seat include bay windows and any window that does not reach all the way down to the floor. If you don’t have a bay window, look for windows that are placed in alcoves or between two side walls. However, it is still possible to build a window seat along a standard wall, but you will have to make allowances for the fact that the seat will stick out from the wall somewhat. Ensure that you have enough clearance space that walking around the window seat will not be awkward.
Designing and Building your Window Seat
A window seat can be as simple or as complicated as you wish, but the basis for most window seats is just a box with some form of access for storage added. Because most people tend to use their window seats for relaxing more so than as formal seating, the height of the seat is not critical. A good guideline is not to build the seat any higher than the windowsill itself. If you have a floor to ceiling window, that’s OK, too. A seat height of fourteen to nineteen inches is generally more than enough.
Once you have decided on a height, you will need to decide on how deep the seat will be. Again, it is up to your personal preference but anywhere from seventeen to twenty-four inches will work in the majority of cases. If you are using your window seat for storage as well, you will need to decide on your preferred method. Some options include a hinged lid, cabinet-style doors, sliding doors, or drawers. When making your decision think about what you intend to store and how often it will need to be accessed.
Don’t forget to allocate room for your cushions and pillows, as you want your window seat to be plush and comfortable! The cushions will add height to your seat so if you are planning to use thick, plush cushions, consider making your seat a couple of inches lower than you otherwise would. Similarly, build the seat a little higher if you are intent on using flat cushions.
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Related Categories
Building
Windows