30 Striking Window Seat Ideas for Every Space
Recreate these sunny seats in your living room, bedroom or kitchen nook.
Charming and cozy, window seats provide the perfect spot to soak up natural light, take a power nap or curl up with a great book. Adults, children and pets can all appreciate the beauty and comfort of a window seat, especially one with upholstered cushions and plush throw pillows. Whether you've got enough space for a single seat, roomy bench or stylish daybed, we've rounded up charming window seat ideas for every style and setup.
Most window seats are built into the house, which allows for custom features like extra storage, built-in bookshelves or a hidden laundry shoot. Make the most of a bay window by building a homey window seat, whether it's in the upstairs hallway or across the living room. Try a modern window seat in your welcoming entryway, add extra seating in the bedroom or turn an awkward corner into a reading nook. Install a beautiful wall-to-wall bench in the kitchen or dining area, then use a bistro table to make a quaint breakfast nook.
When you're building a custom window seat, the options are endless! But for a cheaper DIY option, you can also use a bench or daybed for a similar look. As you scroll through these designer-approved window seats, you're guaranteed to find a photo that'll inspire your next project.
Layer in Plush Textures
This upstairs hallway, designed by Hilary Matt, is the perfect spot to rest and soak up natural light. Ensure your sunny seat invites relaxation by upholstering the cushion in a soft fabric and weaving in throw pillows and blankets.
Warm Up a Room With Wood
Complete with intricate wood carving, this paneled alcove (designed by Hay Runner) draws a connection to nature. An elephant-patterned cushion and geometric pillow elevate the space.
Build in Hidden Storage
Not only does this custom built-in contain concealed storage, Kraydi Builders hid a laundry shoot beneath the bench. For drama, Third Street Architecture pairs the walnut wood with navy blue walls and trim.
Turn It Into a Daybed
This built-in makes room for a window seat the size of a twin bed. Designer Jenn Feldman customized this bonus space with a chic spot for children to nap, adults to read and family pets to keep watch — plus storage!
Devise a Dining Area
A clean, white painted wooden bench with neutral throw pillows lines the length of two walls. To dedicate a space for dining, Juniper Interiors adds a dining table and two farmhouse chairs on the opposite side.
RELATED: 80 Modern Dining Room Ideas to Strike up Conversation
Create a Reading Nook
Here, Emily Clark of Clark & Co. Homes turns an awkward alcove into a whimsical reading nook. Actual pages from her favorite children's books centered on farm life add intrigue to the space, while a Dr. Seuss quote punches up the stairs.
RELATED: 22 Stylish Reading Nooks That Are Designed for Getting Cozy
Don't Fear a Geometric Design
Whether your sunny space forms a square, rectangle, hexagon or octagon, a window seat is a create way to maximize natural light. Here, MV Architects builds a U-shaped banquette that spans the width of three large windows.
Turn a Closet Into a Cozy Nook
Valerie Saunders of Sérendipité Designs converted this closet into a little library with a cushioned bench, built-in shelving and blue-and-white bolsters. The mix of color and prints makes it a fun place
to lounge and read.
Stick to a Soothing Shade
Follow Heritage Homes' lead and choose a pastel blue for walls, curtains and bedding. This calming bedroom provides plenty of seating, from the cheerful window seat to the hanging egg chair.
RELATED: 20 Inspiring Bedroom Curtain Ideas to Recreate in 2024
Design a Breakfast Nook
Tuck a small banquette beneath the window, then bring in a bistro table with two chairs to make the most of your small kitchen. Create interest with a combination of colors, patterns and textures.
RELATED: Charming Breakfast Nook Ideas That’ll Cozy Up Any Small Space in Your Kitchen
Fill an Empty Corner
Sarah & Sons Interiors turns what might otherwise be wasted space by the front door into a practical corner bench — AKA, the perfect spot for putting on and taking off shoes. Plus, the patterned throws add a pop of color to the white entry.
RELATED: 25 Charming Entryway Ideas to Leave a Lasting Impression
Make the Most of a View
Skip the drapes and instead, let the view outside become a focal point of the room. A minimalist window seat, by Four Brothers Design + Build, is a great place for soaking up the sun — even in the winter.
Craft a Cozy Spot for Kids
Give kids a designated place to sit, read or cuddle with stuffed animals by adding a plush cushion and soft throw pillows to a window seat. For a playful touch, designer Colleen Simonds paints this built-in blue and installs woodsy wallpaper.
RELATED: 30 Lively Kids' Playroom Design Ideas to Spark Endless Creativity
Take a Vintage Approach
Full of floral, plaid and scenic fabrics and antique plates displayed on the walls, this bedroom by Maggie Griffin Design makes use of vintage elements.
Match Curtains to Cushions
Once you settle on a pretty pattern for your Roman shades, use the same fabric to upholster a seat cushion. Take note from designer Kasey Fitzgerald and paint the walls a complementary shade.
Create a Cohesive Look
Let your window seat blend seamlessly with your space by painting it the same shade as the walls and maintaining the molding. Use the sunny space for decor like houseplants and books, plus incorporate a few throws for comfort.
Flank Seating With Cabinets
By building sky-high cabinetry on each side of this wooden bench, Hay Runner ensures plenty of storage space. For a pop of color, the fronts of the cabinets are painted a cheery blue-green.
Take Advantage of Natural Light
Use a sheer white Roman shade to allow a surge of sunlight to enter your dining space while also ensuring privacy. Create a bit of contrast with black dining chairs, as MV Architects does here.
Add Bookshelves on Both Sides
In a room dedicated to wellness and relaxation, BarnesVanze Architects builds bookshelves on each side of a cushioned bench.
Go for Bright White
Painted a crisp, clean white, this sun-filled alcove feels light, airy and larger than it actually is. For a pop of color, MV Architects adds two teal throw pillows atop the bench.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
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