How to Build the Perfect Window Seat

You Can Get Creative

This article will have a tool list along with a step-by-step process for building your window seat. However, please don’t feel that you have to follow it precisely as it is written. You may be making a larger seat than what’s written. All you need to do is adjust your number to fit your project. 

Another way to get creative is to build drawers, shelves, or other features into your seat. You might be an artist (or have a friend) that will carve pictures or designs into the wood. You might also paint photos onto the wood. There are many other possibilities that you can include, so you always want to keep your creative mind open. 

Try to Make Only One Trip to the Store

Before you receive the list of supplies (and any additional materials that you want to buy for creativity), you need to ensure you write everything down. Hopefully, going to the store a couple of times will not create significant problems — it can take more time than you imagine. 

Think of it this way: you are 30 minutes away from the store, so every time you go, the drive takes at least an hour. Plus, the time you have to search for the items and ask for help. This redundancy can easily turn a quick trip into a two or three-hour ordeal. If you do this two or three times more than you put into your schedule, it can make you feel like you’re struggling or falling behind. Do everything in your power to prepare before shopping, so you know what you need. 

Planning Matters 

This window seat will look flawless. It will give the impression that professionals built it to everyone who looks at it. The window seat’s size that the materials will build is 60 inches wide, 18-1/2 inches high, and 15 inches deep. 

Suppose you don’t have a window that you feel will fit these measurements, no worries. You can easily adjust the sizes to fit your space. The key is to follow our steps but your measurement and any other additions to the plan, such as making cubbies, drawers, or shelves. You will also want to make sure you know if you will be painting a particular color to match your room or showcasing artistic skills to write that in your plan.

Think About All Project Metrics

At this moment, you might be asking yourself how long the project will take. How can you officially make a plan without knowing the details of the metrics? Some of the metrics will depend on if you decide to make a bigger window seat or add any features that are not in this step-by-step process. 

In general, this project takes about 6 hours of working time and 8 hours of total time, including the one shopping trip to gather all supplies. Following the list of materials below, it should cost you between $200 to $400. The skill level is intermediate. It’s important to remember that you might complicate the project a bit more if you add any steps or features, so you want to be prepared. 

You Need Wood and Nails, Of Course

Obviously, you will need wood and nails to put your window seat together. You must have the right length, width, and the right sized nails. For starters, you will need two wall cabinets that are each 30 inches wide by 15 inches high; three two-by-fours that are each 96 inches long; and one trim board, 3-1/2-inch by 96-inch. 

Other materials in this category that you will need include one sheet of hardwood plywood that is 3/4-inch thick by 4-foot by 8-foot; one 3/4-inch by 3/4-inch quarter-round which is 96 inches long; 3-inch stainless steel common nails; and #10 Phillips head wood screws in four lengths: 1/2-inch, 1-inch, 2-inch, and 3-inch. 

But There Are a Lot More Tools

As you’re writing your list, it’s easy to jot down the first few supplies, such as the wood and nails. The only step you need to take in detail with those ingredients is the wood’s size and how many you will need for each. 

It’s important not to run to the store yet because your supplies list is still growing. Beyond what is already mentioned, you also need a paintbrush, tape measure, hammer, carpenter’s pencil, carpenter’s glue, interior-grade paint, primer, tack cloth, and sandpaper. Another important tool you will need is a stud finder, a handheld device used with wood to locate framing studs located behind the final walling surface, usually drywall. Studs help you ensure that everything is secure. 

The List of Supplies Continues 

You might feel like the list goes on and on. While you might add some of your supplies, such as a unique paint color, you will also need a cordless drill, drill bits, drive bits, circular saw, cordless electric nailer, electric miter saw, and washers. 

Finally, you will need a few other items, such as a pry bar, and speed square, a triangular carpenters’ marking out tool. You also don’t want to forget one of the most essential tools: a tape measure. All of the pieces must be the right size so that the frame of your window seat will fit snug along your wall. 

Start With the Standard

No matter what plans you have for your window seat, you always want to start with the standard – especially if this is your first time working on a project like this. The building block you will use with your seat follows the 30-inch-wide by 15-inch-high wall cabinet.

This length of width means that you can double a unit for more expansive windows or quickly transition to one unit for narrow windows. You want to use the height as this is the average height of chairs when the window seat is combined with its 3-1/2-inch high base. The seating itself will be about 12 inches, and while this isn’t comfortable for typical seating, you will add 3 inches by pulling a cabinet forward or following your customized plan. 

Next, Choose the Area

If you don’t already have an area selected for your window seat, this is the next step. When choosing, you not only want to make sure that these instructions and plans will work but that it’s a location you will want to build the window seat. If you don’t like the area, move on to the next space in your home. 

One key to helping you decide on the best location is to ensure the space is at least 60 inches wide and the bottom of the window rises at least 20 inches above floor level. You also don’t want to cover up any heating or cooling area, such as a baseboard heater or HVAC vent. 

Before You Build and Shop, Know the Secret

There is top secret information for people who are about to go shopping and build their first window seat, and this is to purchase wall cabinets. That will not only make your job easier, but it will make you feel like you received a head start. You might also feel it’s more of assembly than building, which is excellent for a beginner. 

You can find pre-built wall cabinets at any home centers, whether you order online or go to the store. Another tip is before you start building, once you have your cabinet, you want to make it as light as possible to move. Therefore, you will take out any shelves and doors that can add to its weight. 

Secure the Area and Property

Another important tip is to secure the area and your property so you can make sure you’re safe through the process and don’t need to stop in the middle to move a piece of furniture or knock an object down. For instance, remove any loose knick-knacks on close bookcases or tables. 

You will also want to take your ply bar and gently pull away any wall trim or baseboards. You also need to remove any floor obstruction, transitions, and door stops. Anything unnecessary to have in the area while building and you can remove, do so. Of course, this is also the time to think of your children and pets to ensure they remain safe during the process. 

Build the Base of the Window Seat

Now it’s time for the steps you’ve waited for – constructing the window seat. First, you want to focus on building the foundation. This portion is the heart of the seat, so you will need to make sure that you take your time, and you have the rest of your plan in order before you start construction. You want to begin by cutting two two-by-fours to 60 inches long each. 

Then, cut five boards to 12 inches each by using the waste material. Set these five 12-inch boards perpendicular between the two 60-inch boards. That means one at the center (30 inches), one at each end, and the remaining two panels between the others — at the 15-inch mark. Use the speed square for checking and then nail the frame together.

Attach the Window Seat Base to the Wall

The next step in this process is to ensure that your window seat base attaches securely to the wall. That might be a challenge if you didn’t make sure that your frame is nailed together correctly, such as a couple of boards are crooked. The key is to take your time and double-check your work before you decide the frame is finished and ready for this step. 

The easiest way to attach the window seat to the wall is to set the window seat base in front of the window. You need to ensure that the back of the frame touches the wall. You will then use your stud finder to locate three wall studs. Once you do, you will pre-drill holes inside of the frame where each stud is located. Finally, use the 3-inch washers and screws to secure the base frame to the wall. 

It’s Time for the Giant Wall Cabinets

Using the 1-inch screws and cordless drill next to you, attach the wall cabinets to the base frame. Start by connecting them at the side and then pair the cabinets with the frame. You will use the 2-inch screws when you secure the cabinets to the frame. 

One tip is that when you pair the cabinets and frame, you want to bring them forward 9/16 inch. This hack will allow for flush insertion of the trim board underneath as a toe-kick. By this point, you should start to see your window seat come together. You might also be including other features in your plan, such as adding a drawer or two instead of cabinets. 

Now It Is Time to Attach the Trim

The next step you will want to take is attaching the trim toe kick. That is one of the smallest steps but can also take you a bit of time because you do need to be cautious about what you are doing and make sure the trim is attached to well. 

You will start this process by taking your miter saw and cutting the trim board to 60 inches or your customized measurement. Once this is complete, you will set the trim board across the base frame’s front as a toe-kick. Finally, you will take six to seven nails and attach the toe kick with your cordless electric nailer.

Cut the Window Seat to Size

At this point, you might already think that your window seat is the correct size, but chances are there is still some cutting you can do to make sure that everything goes smoothly until the end and your seat fits perfectly. 

While this step might seem a little difficult initially, it’s easy and won’t take that much time. The most significant step you need to take is to remember safety when it comes to the circular saw. To complete this step, you will take the circular saw and cut the hardwood plywood sheet to 60 inches by 30-1/2 inches. Once you have finished this process, make sure that you shut your saw off and even clean up a little, primarily if you used the saw in the same area you’re building the window seat. 

Attach the Seat

Now that your project is coming together nicely and it looks like a perfect window seat, it’s time to attach it. With the factory finish edging facing outward, you will rest the seat on the cabinets. When you look at the back, it should almost be touching the wall. It would help if you didn’t have more than a ⅛ inch gap. 

You will then take your cordless drill and place the 1/2-inch screws upward through the cabinets’ roof and inside the seat plywood. While doing this, you will want to make sure that the screws don’t pierce the plywood’s top. However, you also want the screws to sink into the plywood. You should use about eight screws total for this step. 

Attach the Quarter-Round

It’s now time to attach the quarter-round to help complete your window seat project. You will use your miter saw with this step by cutting the quarter-round trim to 60 inches long. From there, you will need to find your carpenter’s glue so you can run a thin line of this along the front edge of the window seat. While you don’t want to overdo it with the glue, you also want to make sure you have enough. 

Next, you will attach the quarter-round to this edge with thin finish nails. There is a possibility that some of the glue will sneak out. You want to wipe this glue off your window seat right away, so it doesn’t dry up. The adhesive can dry quickly, so you want to make sure you do it as soon as possible. 

It’s Time to Sand and Paint Your Window Seat

You might look at your window seat now and get excited about the process because you can see the light at the tunnel’s end. Many people feel that this is one of the best steps in the process, as it’s the moment where you can start to let your creativity show. 

Before you get into the painting, you want to sand your window seat thoroughly. Go over the whole chair, especially the edges, and where the areas are a bit rougher than others. Not only will this help make the addition look smooth, but it will make sure that no one gets a sliver or cut from the edges. Once this process is done, you will start panting. First, you will need to prime the whole surface and then allow it to sit for two hours to dry. Then, you can dive in with the painting and any other finishing touches. Of course, you don’t want to forget to decorate your seat by adding a comfortable cushion, pillows, and anything else that will make your window seat pop. 

Sources:

“How to Build a Window Seat.” Lee Wallender, The Spruce. January 2020. 

“How to Build a Window Seat.” Joseph Truini, This Old House. 

“17 Homemade Window Seat Plans You Can Build Easily.” Walter Westerman, WCMA – Window Covering Manufacturers.