How to Build Wood Window Seats
Installing a window seat adds storage and seating space to a room. The window seat is a permanent structure that sits even with the windowsill. Most window seats have custom-made cushions or a series of pillows that sit on top of the seat for comfort. A bay window is a perfect candidate for a window seat, but you can use any window with a spectacular view. Any do-it-yourselfer can easily construct a window seat without much effort. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Carpenter's pry bar
- Hammer
- Utility knife
- 3-inch wood screws
- 2-by-4 lumber
- Cabinets
- Power screwdriver
- Wood glue
- 3/4-inch plywood
- 1 1/2-inch screws
- Small wood clamps
- Finish nails
- Decorative trim
- Miter saw
- Paint or stain
- Seat cushion
- Pillows
Please enter your 10 digit phone number only.
A link to this article has been sent to the phone number provided.
Instructions
-
-
1
Remove the baseboard trim at the window seat location using a carpenter's pry bar and hammer. Remove the bottom piece of window trim using a utility knife to cut the line between the trim and the wall. This will allow you to remove the trim without damaging the wall.
-
2
Measure the wall to determine the width of the window seat. Measure the distance from the floor to the window sill. These will be the overall dimensions for your window seat.
-
-
3
Purchase cabinets from a lumber yard to match the existing cabinets in the house. Use the dimensions from step 2 to decide on the cabinet sizes. You will be adding a toe kick to the cabinets. The cabinets need to be at least 3 inches less than the overall height.
-
4
Frame a base for the window seat using 2-by-4 lumber. Make the frame the same width as the cabinets and 3 inches narrower than the depth of the cabinets. This should be 21 inches for standard cabinets. Add supports that will sit right below any two cabinets where they are attached. If the distance is more than 12 inches between the supports, place a support in the middle of the cabinet. Use 3-inch screws and wood glue to construct the frame and use a miter saw for cutting the pieces to length. Attach this frame to the wall using 3-inch screws and a power screwdriver. Place the screws at every wall stud.
-
5
Set the cabinets on top of the frame and attach the individual cabinets together at the face frame. The face frame is the front of the cabinet that you see just behind the doors. Place a small amount of glue on the edge of the face frame and clamp the two sections of cabinetry together so that the face frames are even with each other. Pre-drill a pilot hole for the screw near the top and bottom of the frame. Screw the cabinets together at the face frame.
-
6
Slide the cabinets back on the frame and attach them to the wall with 3-inch screws at each stud location. There will be a wide strip of material at the top edge of the back of the cabinet; join the cabinet at this location. Use a power screwdriver for this.
-
7
Measure the top of the cabinet for the plywood deck. The decking needs to be level with the top of the windowsill. Cut the decking to fit the cabinets without any overhang. Attach the deck to the cabinet using 1 1/2-inch screws at the corner blocks at the top of the cabinets. Corner blocks are small triangles that are at the top corners of the cabinets used to keep the cabinet square and to attach the plywood to the cabinet. Use the power screwdriver for this.
-
8
Attach a piece of decorative trim at the top of the cabinet to hide the joint between the cabinet and plywood decking. Cut the trim to length so that it will be a continuous strip along the front of the cabinets. Use finish nails for this step and a hammer. Cut the trim with a miter saw.
-
9
Paint or stain the cabinet and decking to you taste. Make a custom cushion or use several pillows for the cushion.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Wear safety glasses when using power tools.
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
