25 Window Seat Ideas for a Peaceful Place to Relax

Traditional Window Seat Idea

A classic window seat is built into the wall, creating a nook-like feel. While you could add a seat cushion, throw pillows can also be rearranged to the sitter's comfort. Here, a mix of blue and white cushions in classic patterns finish off the traditional look. If your window doesn't need covering for privacy, pillows add color and interest for a more budget-friendly option.

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Window Seat Upholstery

Office window seat — Christina Schmidhofer

Use the window seat to play with textiles by occasionally swapping out your pillow covers, whether you buy them or sew your own. We love the mix of patterns used for this window seat idea, which feels eclectic yet cohesive, thanks to the consistent use of blue.

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Wooden Window Seat Idea

If you want your room to feel warmer and cozier, consider using wood on your window seat. Polished wood tops this functional window seat, which doubles as a mudroom bench. Unlike fabric-covered cushions and pillows, the wood is durable and easy to keep clean, so it's perfect for dropping backpacks, grocery bags, or wet coats.

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Midcentury Window Seat

When considering window seat ideas, including the upholstery, keep in mind the style of your home. A funky ikat-style print cushion looks right at home in this midcentury sitting room, and the bolster pillow nods to the trend toward geometric design typical of that era.

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Tucked In Window Seat

This petite window seat is a cozy spot for a quiet cup of tea and a good book. The neutral color palette keeps the space calm and relaxing. Beaded board on the walls adds a rustic touch, repeated in the upholstered pillows covered in earth tones and texture. The beaded board on the drawer makes the window seat feel more special.

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Window Seat Casing

Building a casing around the window seat will create a nook-like oasis. It can blend into the rest of the room or, like here, become a focal point with a coat of paint or wallpaper. This window seat is built out from the wall, so a similar design is an option if you want to add this feature and you’re not remodeling or building new construction.

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Integrated Window Seat

An integrated window seat idea becomes a cozy listening spot in a music room, especially when combined with moody colors. Space under a window is often wasted because finding furniture that fits the dimensions can be challenging, but adding a window seat makes the space a desirable spot to hang out.

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Bench-Style Window Seat Idea

Rather than a solid box, this window seat has legs in the front, giving it a casual furniture feel and adding to the room's open and airy feel. This style also allows for storage underneath, useful in more high-traffic spaces, such as mudrooms.

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Window Seat for Small Spaces

A corner window seat is a wise use of space in a smaller home because it can be used for relaxing and enjoying morning coffee or an afternoon snack. Adding a table can create a place for eating or working from home. Built-in storage under the seat adds even more utility, maximizing the function of a tiny spot.

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Bunk-Style Window Seat

A window seat that doubles as a bed is a guest-friendly addition. This built-in bunk features sconces for reading and shelves overhead for easy access to books and water during the night. Roman shades ensure the cozy bed doesn't get too much light when it's used for sleeping. The soft blue paint provides a relaxed and nap-friendly atmosphere.

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Window Seat with Wallpaper

Wallpapered window seat — Nathan Schroder

Similar to a powder room, splurging on wallpaper is a smart option for a window seat, given its limited surface area. To make the investment worth it, choose a design that leans more classic than trendy, or use a peel-and-stick wallpaper for easy updates when you're ready for something new.

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Window Seat Molding Detail

This breakfast nook features a window seat with simple molding, creating a traditional feel that echoes the rest of the room's decor. A smooth facade would make the bench feel more modern. Consider details like this if you're building a window seat from scratch since they can add an inexpensive but effective design touch.

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Playroom Window Seat Idea

A window seat can be a launching pad for children's imaginations or a great place to read, making it a practical design addition for kids' playrooms. Open storage instead of drawers keeps toys and games visible and accessible. Bold upholstery is playful and visually engaging, while white paint cuts down on the visual clutter of kids' belongings. Baskets are always a clever way to corral small objects and collectibles.

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Tufted Seat Cushion

Tufted window seat cushion — Helen Norman

Tufted cushions or mattresses are a stylish and useful window seat idea—the tufting guards against sagging and ripping. If your style is minimal, tufting is also a way to add texture and visual interest. Added pillows bring patterns to the room without much expense, and the small repeats don't fight with the bold floor.

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Nursery Nook Seat

If you're remodeling or building a new home, consider a fully integrated window seat like this simple, modern design. Window seats, especially in cozy nooks, are popular in kids' rooms, as they can be a place to read and rest or a setting for imaginative play. The custom-upholstered cushion fits perfectly, so there won't be much shifting or moving, no matter what kind of activity kids get into.

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DIY Window Seat

You can create your own window seat—no carpentry needed! Here, a daybed frame and mattress fit just perfectly into this space, making a place to sit or lounge. Plenty of throw pillows make it an irresistible spot. It could even double as a guest bed if needed.

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Window Seat Height

If you're building a window seat, make sure it's at a comfortable height for most people to use. The tallest you'll want for your window seat is 18-23 inches, the maximum height for a regular chair. Building a taller window seat will help you get in and out more easily if mobility is an issue.

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Window Seat in a Bay Window

Bay windows can be surprisingly tricky to furnish, so a window seat is a wise use of the space. Given all the angles in a bay window, you might want to hire someone to complete this job. Once your window seat is finished, add a small side table for beverages or a larger one to sit and work on a puzzle or a craft, or add an ottoman for a footrest that doubles as a place for a tray to hold dishes and glassware.

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Faux Window Seat

Rather than being built out from the wall, this window seat idea consists of a simple wooden frame designed to fit within this nook. If you have room for a window seat but no plans to remodel, this is a route you can take. A colorful tufted mattress is a perfect, ready-made cushion if you have the space for it.

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Window Seat Design

Take inspiration from how this sofa is designed for your window seat: Natural wood planks make up the base, and fluffy boucle fabric covers the cushions. While using only throw pillows is possible, adding a bolster pillow to the back will add comfort and support. The multiple fabrics and sizes in this small space don't clash because the colors are the same in the various pillow covers, and the pale walls allow the patterns to shine.

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Storage Bench Window Seat

Since there's never enough room for everything, building a window seat is a convenient opportunity to add storage to a room. You can install one or multiple drawers in the window seat base. Your cabinetry style should align with the rest of the room so it looks like it's been there all along.

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Choosing Window Seat Upholstery

Choosing upholstery is one of the fun parts of window seat design. A busy pattern in a sturdy fabric will hide stains and withstand long-term use. Here, the fabric's colors reflect the exterior view and tie into the green cabinetry.

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Window Seat with Drawer Storage

Window seat storage drawer — James Nathan Schroder

The best window seat ideas are surprisingly practical. If you add storage to them, either through drawers or a hinged seat, you’ll not only have a place to sit but also additional room to store things. Drawers and their hardware are also a fun way to add another layer of texture to a room.

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Window Seat Styling

Tiny House window seat — Ellie Lillstrom

Style your window seat to suit the rest of the room. Sheepskin and woven pillowcases complement the rustic feel of this den. An upholstered seat cushion and matching throw pillows would feel more buttoned up.

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Window Seat Banquette

A dining room or kitchen window seat doubles as a natural and comfortable banquette, seating at least three more people at the table. This eclectic space is highlighted by multiple colors and patterns on the throw pillows, textured chairs, and a trendy bubble light fixture that is an unexpected touch.

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