Window Seats

Window seats always seem to trigger a warm response with homeowners. Maybe you had one in a childhood home or perhaps they have always been a part of a fantasy home wish list. It’s no wonder window seats are often the most loved element in a home. They offer comfort-especially with a thick cushion on top-and views to the outdoors. They create a sense of coziness and security, thanks to the niche that defines a window seat. And they provide extra storage when fitted with drawers, cabinets, or a simply hinged bench top. But perhaps it’s their ability to take an unused or awkward space and turn it into a charming focal point that warms our hearts most.

You can find window seats in homes representing just about every American architectural style, from colonial to contemporary, and the fact that they’ve endured this long speaks to their form and versatility. They also have a place in every room, wheeher as a banquette in the kitchen, a boot bench in an entry, or a hideaway for reading a book in the den, and can be trimmed to match existing moldings.

A window seat is actually fairly easy to insert into architectural plans if you are in the stages of working on a renovation. Think about impact to electrical outlet locations and maybe adding a lighting element or sconce. Some additional trim costs will be incurred but often not much. If you are thinking about a spot to add a window seat, a qualified handyman like our friends at DogGoneHandy can easily tackle this project. Think about how you would like to use the bench, storage or just seating, how the face should be dressed, plain wood, stained, painted, bead board or paneled and you are on your way to creating a timeless feature in your home.