How far below a window should a window seat be?

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

• Electric miter saw
• Cordless drill
• Drill bits and driver bits
• Cordless electric nailer
• Circular saw
• Prybar
• Tape measure
• Hammer
• Speed Square
• Carpenter's pencil
• Stud finder
• Paintbrush
• Sandpaper
• Tack cloth

Materials

• 2 Wall cabinets, each 30 inches wide by 15 inches high
• 1 Trim board, 3-1/2-inch by 96-inch
• 3 Two-by-fours, each 96 inches long
• 1 Sheet of hardwood plywood, 3/4-inch thick by 4-foot by 8-foot
• 1 3/4-inch by 3/4-inch quarter-round, 96 inches long
• 3-inch stainless steel common nails
• #10 Phillips head wood screws in four lengths: 3/4-inch, 1-inch, 2-inch, and 3-inch
• Washers
• Carpenter's glue
• Primer
• Interior-grade paint
• Paintable caulk (optional)

Instructions

The building block of your DIY window seat is the standard 30-inch-wide by 15-inch-high wall cabinet. Its 30-inch width means you can use one unit for narrow windows or double it up for wider windows. At 15 inches high, it will reach the same height as most chair seats when combined with its 3-1/2-inch high base. While 12 inches is not deep enough for comfortable seating, this will be remedied by pulling the cabinet forward 3 inches and covering the back section with a cantilevered plywood seat base. Be sure to purchase hardwood plywood, a type of furniture-grade plywood topped with a fine veneer such as birch.

1. Choose an Area for the Window Seat

   You likely already have an ideal spot in mind for the window seat. Make sure that it is at least 60 inches wide and that the bottom of the window rises at least 20 inches above floor level. Also, be sure not to locate your window seat over an HVAC vent or in front of a baseboard heater.

2. Remove the Cabinet Doors and Shelves

   Remove the cabinet doors and any shelves since this lightens the cabinet. Leave the hinges on the cabinet. Set the doors, shelves, and screws safely aside.

3. Remove the Baseboard and Obstructions

   Gently pull away the baseboards with the prybar. Remove other wall and floor obstructions such as door trim, door stops, and floor transitions that will be unnecessary after the window seat is installed.

4. Build the Window Seat Base

   The heart of the window seat is its two-by-four frame. Cut two two-by-fours to 60 inches long each. Using the waste materials, cut five boards to 12 inches each. Place the five 12-inch boards perpendicular between the two 60-inch boards: one at each end, one at the center (30 inches on-center), and the remaining two boards between the other boards (15 inches on-center). Nail the frame together, frequently checking for square with the Speed Square.

5. Attach the Window Seat Base to the Wall

   Place the window seat base in front of the window so that the back of the frame touches the wall. Locate three wall studs with the stud finder. Pre-drill holes on the inside of the base frame at the location of each stud, then attach the base frame to the wall with the 3-inch screws and washers.

6. Attach the Wall Cabinets to the Base

   Using the cordless drill and the 1-inch screws, attach the wall cabinets to the base frame. The cabinets should first be attached together, from the side, with 2-inch screws. Next, attach the paired cabinets to the frame, stepping them 9/16-inch forward to allow for flush insertion of the trim board underneath as a toe-kick.

7. Attach the Trim Toe-Kick

   Cut the trim board to 60 inches on the miter saw. Place the trim board across the front of the base frame as a toe-kick. With the cordless electric nailer, attach the toe-kick with six to seven finish nails.

8. Cut the Seat to Size

   With the circular saw, cut the sheet of hardwood plywood to 60 inches by 30-1/2 inches.

9. Attach the Seat

   Rest the seat on the cabinets, with the factory-finish edge facing outward. The back should nearly touch the wall, with just a slight 1/8-inch gap. Using the cordless drill, drive 3/4-inch screws upward through the roof of the cabinets and inside the seat plywood. Make certain that the screws sink into the plywood but do not pierce the top of the plywood. Attach with eight screws.

10. Attach the Quarter-Round

    With the miter saw, cut the quarter-round trim to 60 inches long. Run a thin bead of carpenter's glue along the front edge of the window seat. Attach the quarter-round to this edge with thin finish nails. Be careful to quickly wipe up any carpenter's glue that might squeeze out.

11. Sand and Paint the Window Seat

    Lightly sand with fine-grit #220 sandpaper, particularly the joint between the quarter-round and the seat to bring down any minute lips or to sand off dried glue. Apply paintable caulk to any gaps between the seat and the wall if desired. Prime all surfaces, let dry for at least two hours, then apply two coats of interior-grade paint. Attach the doors again after all of the paint has dried.

    What is a good depth for a window seat?

    The trick is getting the measurements right. Standard shelf depth is 12 or 16 inches; for comfort, the window seat should stand proud, for a total depth of about 18 inches.

    What is a seat under a window called?

    A window nook or alcove is a great way to add extra seating, as well as personality, to a room. As the name implies, the window nook can be the perfect spot for relaxing while enjoying the view.

    Are window seats a good idea?

    Is a window seat a good idea? A window seat is a good idea – as it has so many uses. From a practical point of view, the otherwise unused space can be used for storage, while providing seating for reading, eating or just enjoying the view.

    How thick should foam be for window seat?

    Either way the cushions need to be thick enough to provide comfort, but not so thick that they are much too large for the base of the seat. In general, cushions of at least 50mm thick will be comfortable enough for a seating pad, 75mm for a bench or window seat, and approximately 100mm for a daybed.