Monday, April 08, 2013

DIY window seat

We are slowly making our new house a home and lately we have been struggling to get our great room (living room, dining and kitchen) to look and feel right- its very large and kind of a challenging shape. After configuring and reconfiguring the space, we finally decided what we needed was a window seat in our big bay window to bring the room together. The area beneath the window was awkward and just screaming for a big bench that could double as storage (for the millions of legos we now have scattered around the house). Since we are on a budget and love a good DIY project around here (and since my husband was a structural engineer in his previous life) we decided to tackle the project ourselves!
The space was not square and it has a heat vent in the middle of the floor so there were a few issues to work out but over all it was a pretty simple project. I won't go into all of the project details (just a little peek) but I am sharing the sketches that Andy drew for himself to work from. 




Andy solved the vent issue by building a wood box to redirect the heat.

The front was finished with bead board and framed out with 1 x 4 trim.

A hinge was added to the top segment for easy access to storage.

Hallelujah for TONS of storage!

I sewed up a long cushion and instead of using foam, I stuffed it with a lightweight down comforter so that we have fluffy and cozy seat pad. 

I sorted through my extensive pillow collection and added pillows.

(We still have some nail holes to patch and paint) but the result of our three day project is a WONDERFUl and cozy space that has changed the look and feel of the entire room!


UPDATE- for those inquiring about the curtains they are from Target.

It has quickly become the favorite place in the house.


Like any of the pillow you see? Check in tomorrow because I have a fun pillow post and great giveaway!

50 comments:

Zauberpunkt said...

Zauberhaft!!!!
Liebe GrĂ¼sse aus der Schweiz:-)
Nicole

Mickymunchkin's little space said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Well done, totally blends in and looks so inviting!
Hugs from Germany,
Mickymunchkin

Virginia said...

Oh Alisa that's fabulous, we also have an awkward window space that seems to be crying out for something, shall show this to hubby later as a potential solution!

Tracy VT said...

I so wish I had a window that could accommodate this style of seat...a bright shiny spot to sit and play...fabulous work! Gorgeous fabrics, all round wonderful!!!

Melanie said...

Thats so beautyfull.
Liefs, Melanie

Helen said...

It looks great, like it's always been there! love the mix of fun patterns on all the cushions
Boxing in the heating vent is so ingenious! does it get hot around the funnel?
http://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk/

HollyM said...

Wow, it's beautiful and I love all your cushions!

Eulita said...

It was a great idea and sure it is a nice place to stay with all the light from the outside.

Suman Pandit said...

I have been dreaming abt a window seat, this one is gorgeous.
http://kalasirjana.blogspot.in/

Preeti Dubey said...

Incredible! i loved the way Lucy is sitting in the middle of the seat, with an expression on her face "that my papa made it for me!!!" have a great week ahead.

Photocat said...

Geoooorgeous... I think all houses should have a bay window. We have one in our new house in New Mexico. But it's in the kitchen, so probably not a good spot to put up a wonderful corner like your hubby did. I wondered about the vent but see that he worked around that in a marvellous way! Well done Burke Family!

Vonnie's Pie said...

Love it!!!! I want to know where you got your curtains?? Love all the mix of colors!!!

Mary said...

Everything about this is perfect...visually, functionally and just plain fun! I really like that the seat is big enough to really enjoy...some are pretty to look at but barely afford room for one's butt! lol

I love the way you decorate and your color choices...loads of color, but still calming...how do you do that?

Anni ~ Bazooka Crafts said...

Looks so comfortable! I'd love something like that at our new place as well!

Cheers, Anni
bastelbazooka.blogspot.com

kathy n said...

not only is the window seat, cushion and pillows gorgeous; i want to know where you got the fabric for those curtains!?

patty a. said...

Andy did a great job on the window seat and your cushion and pillows finished it off beautifully!

Unknown said...

awwwwesome

Chrissy said...

This is awesome! Love it!

Unknown said...

what a wonderfully handy man you have!!! ♥♥

lisa b. said...

Yes, please share the curtain details! Love all the work you guys did!

Sarah said...

Fantastic job! And I'd love to know where the curtains came from as well.

nacherluver said...

Oh my gosh! I love it! I always wanted a window seat. Our current house has one. Sort of... if you use your imagination and don't expect to get comfortable!!!!
;)
Will definitely check back in tomorrow. Pillows. Yay!

Anonymous said...

It's a great space! I love the curtains, too!
~Julia

jabbott said...

looks really well made.i wouldnt mind one

Shannon P said...

This is so beautiful! I love the storage.

Debbie said...

How fabulous! I don't think I would have thought to do that. Please come to my house, and do that for me! Thanks for all the tips and tricks, that you share here on your blog.

Madeline Rains said...

Fabulous window seat, fabulous husband, girl and colors! Yes, I am very much in love with many of the pillows.

Colleayn said...

This is so gorgeous! I love it. I would love to know where you got the curtains or the fabric to make them. Is it your artwork on the fabric?
You both do amazing work.

Anonymous said...

I love that rug. It looks great. I always wanted one when I first see it on a magazine.
~adal

studioGypsy said...

oh...!! i lovveee window seats!! and yours is just perfect!! :) cushions, cutie, bead board..curtain!! lovelovelove!!! :) xoxo

Asyadan Esintiler said...

çok gĂ¼zel olmuÅŸ.yastıklar harika,rengarenk ve çok şık duruyor.içinin sandıklı olması çok akıllıca bir fikir.

Serena Lewis said...

WOW!!! Absolutely GORGEOUS!!!

vintagevixenarts said...

Your hubby is quite amazing! And you dressed up the project beautifully! What and fantastic snuggle spot!

Adrienne said...

This is awesome we have a nook like this in our kitchen where are 2 little dogs jump up on the window sills and look like cats! I would love to try this in our space, we too have a vent there so you answered that question for me! I think we really might try this to get the dogs of the window sills! Just awesome!

drooz doodles said...

Great post! I love the use of the down comforter filling- and your mix of colors and patterns- perfection!
(I was wondering about the curtains! You answered before I could ask!)

Soul Pretty said...

I love it...it's just gorgeous...funny...I just did a post about window seats on my blog today...smile.

www.soulpretty.blogspot.com

myownplace said...

PLEEASE tell me where you got the curtains-or the fabric for them. Did you paint them?

Minta Gatlin said...

Prints, prints, and more prints! I love every single pattern that's in there! The patterns may not be the same, but everything works well together and looks beautiful combined! I've seen a few people making a DIY window seat and it seems like I should start a project like this real soon! You did a really fantastic job! :)

Shauna said...

Absolutely stunning!

TanyaMac said...

Wow you two are the dream team! What a great little nook ;)*

Anonymous said...

Love this and all the patterns of fabric! Do you mind sharing where you got the seat fabric? I've been looking for something just like that (large circles/polka dots) for another project! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

we did a similar seating but can't figure out what king of hinges to use. Could you tell me what kind you used?
thanx

Mariam Freame @ Live Oak Construction said...

The reason I love bay windows so much is because of how you can sit in front of one and just relax. That said, you did a great job with the window seat. Kudos for making it as a storage option too!

Unknown said...

Looks so comfortable! I'd love something like that at our new place as well.online beds company

Dias de inspiraciĂ³n said...

Beautiful!
In Spain we don't have this kind of seats, but I have always seen it on the movies and I love them.
I live in Mallorca, a little island in the Mediterranean sea. Do you know we have a very typical fabric who looks like your ikats? It's name is "roba de llengos". You would love them.

Best wishes.

Anonymous said...

What a great project! I’ve added a link to one of our pinboards. Check them out at Pinterest.com/Homedepot

-Megan Peterson 4 The Home Depot

Unknown said...

You inspired me to build a window seat. It turned out great. I changed the front to distressed painted wood. I love it. Thanks

Nik said...

This is pretty gorgeous! I like that it's so plushy; seems so comfy compared to a typical bench seat. I also love your curtains. Great work!

Stephanie said...

Where did you get the curtains? I'm in love and need these for my home!

Sabrina Pizzuti said...

So I know you said you got the curtains at target but sadly they don't seem to sell them. So you know the name/brand/tag info? I need these curtains in my life!

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