Window seats
A seat in the window, and storage underneath it
The sunniest spot in the room, put to work. A window seat gives you somewhere to read and a place for the throws, toys and shoes.
The best seat in the house is usually by the window.
Morning coffee, a book in the afternoon, a view of the street. Fitted to the shape of your window, a seat makes that spot somewhere you actually sit.
Which window have you got?
Bays, flat windows and dormers
The shape of the window sets the shape of the seat.
A bay window
Common in Victorian terraces and 1930s semis. The seat follows the three angled sides, with drawers in the front section and lift-up lids in the corners where drawers can't open.
A flat window
A straight seat between two tall units: bookcases, wardrobes or alcove cupboards. It frames the window and gives the seat a back and sides.
A dormer or loft window
Often the cosiest of all. The seat fills the recess, with storage cut to the slope of the ceiling either side.
Comfortable sizes, roughly
- 450mmSeat height with the cushion on. The same as a dining chair.
- 450–500mmSeat depth for sitting upright against a back cushion. Go to 600 mm to curl up.
- 1,800mmLength if you'd like to stretch out with a book.
Drawers or a lift-up lid?
Both hide a surprising amount. The difference is how often you'll need what's inside.
| Deep drawers | Lift-up lid | Open cubbies | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Things you use every week: toys, shoes, throws | Seasonal things: spare bedding, decorations | Baskets and books you grab daily |
| Getting things out | Pull and reach in, cushion stays put | Lift the cushion off first | Nothing to open |
| Where it works | Straight runs and the front of a bay | Corners of a bay, where drawers clash | Children's rooms and hallways |
| Inside | Full-extension soft-close runners | A stay holds the lid open while you reach in | Shelf heights to suit your baskets |
Many seats mix two: drawers at the front, lids in the corners.
How you'll use it
Where the whole family ends up.
Children read there. The cat sleeps there. Guests sit there when the sofa's full. A window seat becomes the spot everyone heads for, and the drawers underneath quietly swallow the clutter.
Radiators, sills and sockets
Windows tend to come with things around them. Check these before you measure.
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A radiator under the windowA slatted or fluted front lets warm air through, or your plumber can move the radiator before we measure.
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Sill heightMeasure floor to sill. Below about 600 mm, a back cushion may sit above the sill and touch the glass.
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Curtains or blindsA seat stands in front of floor-length curtains. Blinds fitted inside the window recess work better.
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Windows that openA seat makes a low window easy to climb to. Where children are about, fit window restrictors.
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A reading lightA socket or wall light beside the seat is worth planning in. We mark the position for your electrician.
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Uneven bay wallsEach side of a bay is measured separately, with scribes where the plaster isn't straight.
Measure the window, send a photo
Tell us the width of the window wall and the height of the sill. We'll design a seat with storage and send a price range, free. Or try your sizes in the planner first.
Free guide
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Measuring, styles, finishes and how to plan your budget, in one short guide. Then the odd email with ideas worth stealing.
Questions people ask
Anything else, send us a message and we'll talk it through.
What do the cushions sit on?
A solid seat top in the same finish as the base. Your drawings give the exact seat sizes, so a cushion can be made to fit it, corners and all.
Can a window seat be built in a bedroom or a child's room?
Yes. In a bedroom it often sits between two wardrobes. In a child's room, open cubbies and a low seat work well. See children's rooms.
Will a window seat make the room feel smaller?
Usually the opposite. It takes the storage off the floor and uses a space that was empty, so the rest of the room feels clearer.