A window seat is often the most coveted spot in any room. Whether it’s for gazing out at the view, curling up with a good book, snuggling with a loved one, or sneaking in a power nap, it’s the place that everyone will want to claim.
If you’re working with a limited budget or space, you can easily create a window seat by using a wooden or upholstered bench, or even a loveseat that fits your style. The key is to ensure it fits perfectly beneath your window. Style it with throw pillows, a cozy blanket, or a reading light to make it even more inviting.
These window seat ideas, suitable for every room—from the living room to the bedroom, dining room, mudroom, home office, and beyond—will inspire you to add a cozy spot in your home.
01. Add a Mudroom Window Seat
A mudroom becomes much more welcoming with the addition of a built-in window seat. Becca Interiors positioned this window seat just steps away from the front door of a Hudson River view Colonial home in New York state, making it the perfect spot to take off muddy boots or rest your sun hat and farmer’s market haul.
02. Leave the Windows Bare
To maximize the functionality of your window seat, keep the windows curtain-free—especially if light control or privacy isn’t a concern. Cathie Hong Interiors enhanced a built-in, wood-topped window seat in the dining room with extra throw pillows, creating a cozy nook for off-duty reading or extra seating when hosting guests.
03. Decorate the Landing
If you have extra space on a staircase landing, why not install a window seat? Mindy Gayer Design Co. turned a light-filled pass-through space into a perfect spot for a built-in window seat beneath a wall of double windows, making it a serene area to sit and relax.
04. Create a Daybed Hybrid
One of the perks of working from home is the ability to change your work environment as needed. Anita Yokota designed a cozy window seat daybed in an L-shaped home office, perfect for reading drafts, brainstorming, or taking a quick nap during breaks.
05. Use a Vintage Loveseat
If you prefer an improvised window seat, consider placing a small loveseat beneath the window. Becca Interiors used a vintage velvet loveseat in this home library corner of a Hudson Valley, NY Colonial home, adding charm and comfort to the space.
06. Create an Attic Perch
Turn a finished attic into a cozy reading nook by adding a window seat. Jersey Ice Cream Co. decorated this family-friendly space with soft rugs, pillows, and wrap-around banquettes that include a built-in window seat, which cleverly hides the HVAC system.
07. Install an Extra-Long Bench
For a spacious window seat that can be shared or used to display decor, install an extra-long bench. Emily Henderson Design styled this streamlined window seat with throw pillows, a sconce reading light, books, and a vase of branches, creating a functional and stylish space.
08. Add Dressing Room Seating
Transform a walk-in closet into a luxurious dressing area by incorporating a window seat. Britt Design Studio created this fully-loaded dressing room with ample storage and a built-in window seat under the arched window, offering a spot to prepare for the day ahead.
09. Make It Kid-Friendly
A built-in window seat can add warmth and comfort to a child’s room. Becca Interiors designed this space with vintage wallpaper and furniture, warm colors, and a double window seat—perfect for storytime or daydreaming.
10. Try a Window Bench
For smaller windows or tighter budgets, consider a simple bench instead of a built-in seat. Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design created a stable and stylish option with an upholstered bench featuring hidden storage, wedged perfectly into a bedroom corner.
11. Add Built-In Shelves
Maximize the utility of your window seat by flanking it with built-in shelves. Christina Kim Interior Design designed a coastal home office with a reading corner that includes a comfortable window seat and shelves for books and decor.
12. Occupy a Full Wall
A full-wall window bench can add structure and functionality to a long rectangular room. In this mudroom-laundry room combo from KG Designs, the wall hooks store jackets and backpacks, while the window seat provides a spot to relax as you wait for laundry to dry.
13. Decorate With Plants
Not all window views are scenic, but you can still make the most of natural light. JK Interior Living designed a mudroom with a window seat that faces a brick wall, adding plants on the windowsill to bring in a touch of greenery.
14. Add a Bathroom Window Seat
Incorporate a window seat into your bathroom for a spa-like experience. Desiree Burns Interiors placed a window seat with storage between twin vanities, creating a serene spot to relax or prepare for the day.
15. Try an L-Shaped Window Seat
Make the most of corner spaces with an L-shaped window seat. Mindy Gayer Design Co. created a kid-friendly corner seat that complements the room’s blue, white, and red theme, providing a cozy area for reading or playing.
16. Opt for a Window Bench
When a built-in window seat isn’t an option due to layout constraints, consider a window bench. Emily Henderson Design used a small wooden bench in a bedroom where the closets flanking the window made a built-in seat impractical.
17. Fill a Dead Space
Transform an empty hallway into a useful area with a built-in window seat. KG Designs converted a dead space outside a home office into a cozy spot for reading or seating clients, making the most of every inch of the home.
18. Add Built-In Shelving
Custom-built shelves can frame your window seat, creating a functional and stylish feature. Ursula Carmona of Home Made by Carmona refreshed her parents’ mountain home library with white paint, floor-to-ceiling shelves, and a built-in window seat.
19. Build a Nursery Window Seat
A nursery can benefit from flexible seating options like a window seat. Becca Interiors designed a baby room with a window seat, perfect for everything from burping the baby to supervising toddlers at play.
20. Install a Corner Banquette
A corner banquette can serve as a window seat in an eat-in kitchen. Jessica Nelson Design added throw pillows and a small round table, creating a cozy spot that maintains the flow of the room.
21. Customize a Bay Window Seat
Make the most of a bay window by installing a custom window seat. Kate Marker Interior created a serene spot for reading and relaxing in a forest green home library, making the most of the unique window shape.
22. Try a Curved Window Seat
Add softness to a room by opting for a curved window seat. Sissy + Marley Interior Design installed a curved seat in a chic New York City highrise apartment, giving it a custom, elegant feel.
23. Install a Foyer Window Seat
Make your foyer more inviting by adding a window seat. Chango & Co. modernized a small window seat in a Victorian home with a colorful throw pillow and modern art, blending old and new.
24. Use Neutral Tones
Keep your window seat decor simple with neutral tones that highlight the view. Michelle Berwick Design used black, white, and pale wood in a home gym, adding both open and closed storage for a clean, modern look.
25. Pair Fireplace Window Seats
Create double reading nooks by installing window seats on either side of a fireplace. Chango & Co. designed this living room with paired window seats, perfect for cozying up with a book by the fire.
26. Use Coordinating Colors
For a cohesive look, match your window seat upholstery, throw pillows, and artwork. Britt Design Studio designed a spacious staircase landing with coordinating colors that tie the space together.
27. Add a Roman Shade
Soften the look of a bedroom window seat with a Roman shade. Ashley Montgomery Design used different floral patterns on the window shade and wallpaper, adding a delicate touch to the room.
28. Playroom Window Seat
A deep window seat in a playroom can double as a sleeping area for visiting kids. Chango & Co. designed this colorful playroom with a comfy red cushion and an array of throw pillows, making it perfect for play and rest.
29. Float a Kitchen Banquette
Maximize seating in an eat-in kitchen with a floating wood window seat banquette. Leanne Ford Interiors added under-bench storage and unattached pillows for a casual, effortless feel.
30. Try a Basement Window Seat
Even basement windows, which are often too high to gaze out of, can provide natural light. Michelle Berwick Design created a cozy banquette beneath a tall basement window, offering a unique twist on the traditional window seat.