There is something so very magnetic about a window seat. The minute we see that sun trap, bathed in beautiful natural light, we just can’t wait to plant ourselves up against the glass. Proximity to the outside world makes us feel connected, without putting a foot outside the comfort of home. Upper floor window seats can float you above the city or put you amongst the birds in the treetops, ground floor benches unite you with garden life even in rain, sleet or snow. From simple extensions of the lowly window sill, to key extensions of living space, this extensive collection of inspirational window seats has it all.
Pulling elements of the garden inside helps a window seat connect with the outdoors. This crisp modern example is flanked by a lush indoor vertical garden wall to soften the look. A contemporary swing arm wall lamp extends over elegant white cushions.
Bed indoor plants right into the bench top, like in this sleek sunken planter design. Note how a subtle green pendant light is positioned to highlight the leaves, as well as to provide reading light. We love how the bookcase on this one is an open ladder design, making each tome look illuminated and precious in the diffused window light.
Another example of a reading nook style window seat, this time with lots of drawer space underneath. The drawers are a handy stow away for study supplies, or maybe just some cosy blankets… and snacks. Don’t forget the snacks.
A nook next to the fire. What could be more perfect than a window seat between a majestic tree and a crackling fireplace, heaps of blankets and a perfectly positioned wall light for reading on deep into the night?
Benches for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A window seat is great way to amalgamate extra seating around a dining table, just like at this stylish breakfast nook.
Sitting in this seaside box bay feels far from boxed in.
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Visualizer: Ngoc Do, Nguyễn Thà nh & DClaw 12
Inspired by SP Penthouse by Studio MK27, this living room with a spectacular view features an entire frame of bookcases with a lengthy bench at its core. The view shines through like an enormous piece of wall art to feed the soul.
Room for all the family. As anyone with a young family knows, often everyone seems to congregate in the tiniest part of the house, so might as well prepare for it…
A bedroom furniture refit presents ideal opportunity to incorporate a window seat. It doesn’t matter if your window isn’t in its own recess when you can fashion a new one between built-in closets, or added onto a bespoke desk.
Window seat goals. Although the porthole bookcase looks like something fresh off a kids TV show set, the hanging cocoon chair looks like a great place to put yourself for a timeout.
This massive window seating nook could have been utilised as more floor space for the living room, but where’s the fun in being conventional? The elevated platform gives the kids their own stage, and the adults a sense of boundary.
Laying down common ground. This loft room has a satisfyingly symmetrical layout of built-in twin beds, separated by a small but perfectly formed window bench seat.
Camouflage a window seat by colour matching its base with the window frames, like this slick black on black design.
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Designer: Tecnova Architecture & archi5
Swinging the pendulum in the other direction entirely, create a showstopping seat design with a vivid frame that colours the entire bench, sides and ceiling of the reveal. The design pictured here features a colour matched companion bench that wraps around a few inches lower and branches into the room.
The L-shaped window seat. If you’re lucky enough to have a dual aspect window, then you just gotta make the most of it. How utterly gorgeous is that botanical themed seat cushion too!
Bank it. This modest sized window seat is given much bigger impact by becoming part of a larger bank of shelving. A contrasting frame helps the piece push out from the rest of the white unit.
Now lets get grounded. A grass green rug, or even some faux grass is all you really need to pull off the indoor-outdoor connection, though a fancy skylight certainly helps.
Make the window seat part of a cohesive living room layout using the same materials, and extending its linear aesthetic into storage units and the tv wall.
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Photographer: David Hotsun
At a first glance, an alcove may have seemed an uninspired place to have a window let alone a window seat. Nevertheless, this nook has been given its own identity with a pastel paint job and a day bed to form one super welcoming spot.
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Architect: Eduard Balcells + Tigges Architekt + Ignasi Rius Architecture
Raw natural materials and a midway shelf craft a characterful window seat on a modest budget.
Its all about the details. This narrow wall becomes the site of a magnificent window, finished off with a compact window seat. A modern wall sconce is fitted to highlight the feature after dark.
Create your own sense of zen, even if you don’t live in pared back perfection. You won’t be looking at the rest of your room once you’re enveloped by the outside view.
If you go for a plain seat base then you can change up colours how and when you like just by swapping out the seat pad and pillows – and maybe an inexpensive roller blind too.
This deep frame design builds a cosy cocoon. Unfortunately it’s been completely claimed by the cat… guess the human will just be over there on the bed then.
If you’re looking for a real window seat for cats, then this is your guy. Four stong suckers make this kit completely repositionable without damage to the window or surrounding walls. But the best bit has got to be that your furry thug won’t swipe all your stuff off the window sill to make space for sunbathing. Everyone’s a winner.
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