Storage solutions: Window seats

Southern Living, May 2000 by Joyner, Louis, Belden, Derick, Clavell, Alicia K, Griffin, Eleanor, Et al

Think of it as romantic storage. Piled with pillows, a window seat evokes memories of spending rainy afternoons curled up with a favorite novel, but beneath that padded seat lurks a lot of storage.

Basically, window seat storage falls into two categories-lift up or pull out. A hinged seat is easier and less expensive to make, but access requires pulling off the pillows and cushion. Reserve this type for seasonal storage. Drawers are more trouble to make, but much easier to use. Consider them for more frequently used items.

Because reading and window seats go hand in hand, plan some convenient storage nearby for books and magazines. The side wall of the niche is often a good spot, but leave some blank space to lean the pillows against. A reading light is also useful.

If you have room, consider making a window seat big enough to double as an extra bed. Try to size the seat to accommodate a standard mattress size. A single-bed mattress measures 36 x 75 inches, a twin is 39 x 75 inches, and a double is 54 x 75 inches. (Note: Mattress sizes vary, so measure the actual mattress before starting construction.)

If you need to store certain items in the window seat, measure these beforehand too. Nothing is more frustrating than designing storage, building it, and then finding out that your boxes don't quite fit.

If the window seat will be used by a small child, drawers will make access to toys and games much easier. If you must use a lift-up lid, be sure to add a safety toy-box lid support to keep it from falling and hurting the child. Dividing the lid into two sections will reduce weight and make it easier to raise.

Window seats are used more as daybeds than as chairs, so the height above the floor is not as critical. (Standard sofa seat height is about 18 inches; chair height can range from 14 to 19 inches.) Remember that the cushion will add 2 to 5 inches to the overall height. For safety, the top of the window seat should always be well below the bottom of the window.