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Relax Comfortably in the Best Window Seats

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By Woodsmith Review Team
Last updated: 14 Jun 2022

The top window seats in 2022 are a great way to turn space into comfort and a useful zone. Everyone loves to spend hours sitting along with the window, relaxing and enjoying the natural light. It's a great place to relax and read books under the fresh sunlight coming from the window. Moreover, these seats usually provide relaxation and are pretty useful to store your stuff as they come with extra space inside the seats. Window seats can be customized as per your requirements or bought pre-made from the market. The best and most affordable solution to window seats in the market is benched (usually ottoman) with or without arms. These benches come in different sizes and along with different features, so it’s easy to find one that fits your window and living space the best.

Best Overall
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Christopher Knight Ottoman Window Seat
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Runner Up
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Linon Lillian Window Seat
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Honorable Mention
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SONGMICS Ottoman Window Seat
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Also Consider
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Convenience Concepts Window Seat Bench
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Show contents
Compare the Best Window Seat in 2022
  • 1 Christopher Knight Ottoman Window Seat
  • 2 Linon Lillian Window Seat
  • 3 SONGMICS Ottoman Window Seat
  • 4 Convenience Concepts Window Seat Bench
  • 5 Camabel Folding Ottoman Storage

Best Window Seat Buying Guide

A window seat looks good in a bay window or any other type of large window. There are three ways you could get a perfect window seat; you can make one yourself, hire a pro or buy one pre-made. Making a window seat yourself could be tricky, especially if you are not a fan of crafting or an interior designer; you could hire an expert, but that would probably end up being very expensive, or you could buy one, but that would also have its pros and cons. Don't worry! We will go through some tips on making your window seat and a buying guide for the premade ones.

Guidelines on Making Your Window Seat

Choosing a reliable and comfortable window seat is highly important because you will be spending a lot of time relaxing in it. People who are fond of observing nature and resting in natural light can understand the importance of the right window seat, so let’s dig into some of the essential features that you need to check before buying.

Selecting the material

Window seats are usually made from plywood, hardwood or any other furnished wood used in kitchen cabinetry. For the cushions to be placed above, you can easily buy customized ones made of any material (like the ones below.)

Size of the window seat

The width of the seat should be at least 32 inches; the bigger, the better because window seats are mostly used to lean or rest on as a day bed. However, the size is relative to your window area; it's best to make one that matches the width of your window. Similarly, the height of the window seat should also be according to your window that is a minimum of six inches below your window because the exceeding height would be both unsafe and visible from outside. At last, the depth should be at least 16 inches to comfortably rest on it.

Type of the window seat

Depending on the window area, you can make a shelf, box, or cabinetry window seat. You can easily create a shelf if you have walls on both sides of your window. However, if you don't have that, you can create a crate type window seat and add doors on the front side, making the cabinetry.

Other features to consider

There are many other things to consider, like if you want storage inside the window seat or not. If you want your window seat to be durable and sturdy, it either uses a very strong wood or supports the normal wood from the inside of the seat. However, you could also keep the inside of the seat hollow and use that space to keep your things.

Another big advantage you could take from the DIY window seat is that it leaves space for electrical outlets since you will be sitting there for long durations, so it would be best to keep your chargers with you.

Buying a Pre-made Window Seat

Making a window seat might seem simple, but things could get complicated. Hence, in that case, you can always buy a pre-made window seat. It will just require some simple assembly, and you will be good to go. Just consider a few things as discussed below;

Size

The most important thing to consider while buying a window seat is the size as the size is not custom as per your window, so it's best to consider options carefully. However, it is important to note that most pre-made seats or benches like the five we discussed above do come in different shapes and sizes, so you can choose whatever fits your place the best. Also, most of the standard benches fit the standard sizes of windows and beds.

Material

There are many choices when it comes to the seat cushion; let's go through them one by one:

  • Fabric - It is a decent looking material that comes in a variety of colours. It can easily fit with any background furniture. Moreover, cushioned seats made from fabric are soft to sit on. However, cleaning stains from this material could be an issue.
  • Leather - It is a material with many advantages. First, leather is easiest to clean; just one swipe with a wet cloth, and you are good to go. But, the downside of leather is that it is expensive and does not always suit the background. Furthermore, leather only comes in dark colours like black and beige. It would be best to choose this type of seat cushion if you have furniture of darker shades around.
  • Rattan - A traditional material used in many seats. It is also super easy to clean. It’s best to choose seats with this material if you have a traditional look at your house.
  • Memory foam - A modern and soft plush material, this form is useful if you are looking for an exceptionally comfortable seat to sit on. This is the ideal material for those with medical issues like pain in their joints.

Types of window seats

  • Button-tufted - These types of seats are very popular and also surprisingly affordable. The cushion is filled with cotton and the material, which is usually leather, is tightly tufted with buttons in a specific pattern. These seats also prove to be more durable. However, these are comfortable to sit on but are not ideal for keeping your things like trays and laptops.
  • With or without storage - Window seats usually come with storage boxes inside them. You can access them by lifting the seat with a hinge or through a drawer or door on the bottom. The type of storage accessibility you are looking for is also important, like what purpose you will be using the storage. If you want to store blankets and cushions, then the top storage ones are the best. However, if you are looking for storage to keep items that you will constantly require to take out or even space for your pets, it would be best to go with the door ones. Moreover, it is also important for pets to look for the ones with air crossing because you may lock your pet inside.

You may also choose a window seat without the storage option. The advantage is that benches come in more durable quality without storage at the same price.

Other essentials to consider

There are some other extra features to look for while buying a window seat. For instance, some seats can also add an extra bed if the depth of the seat is sufficient. Other than this, there is also an option for trays and footrests on these benches. Furthermore, if you have a wall on either side, an armless bench will do, but consider the arm support if there is nothing to lean on.

DIY Window Seat

If you'd prefer to DIY a window seat for your bay window or another large window, it's a somewhat simple project to complete. For a video tutorial, check out this content from Jenna Sue:

Compare the Best Window Seat in 2022

1

Christopher Knight Ottoman Window Seat

– Best Overall
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Check On Amazon
THE SCOOP

This extravagant looking window seat with a tufted buttoned seat and arms on end provides both ease and luxury. The tufted buttons are stitched in a diamond pattern and are finished with leather. The rolled arms are also refined and tightly tucked with the couch. Moreover, this couch also has extra space for your stuff like shoes and blankets; the bench’s seat can be lifted, providing plenty of room inside for your goods. There are also hinges on the side when the seat is lifted to make it easy for you to use the trunk. Furthermore, the couch is elevated with solid wood legs. The dimensions of the bench are 50W*19.75D*20.50H inches.

Pros
  • Modern looking yet comfortable
  • With extra space inside the bench
  • Easy in assembling
Cons
  • Bench is small in size
2

Linon Lillian Window Seat

– Runner Up
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THE SCOOP

If you are looking for something different from a simple bench, it would be helpful to buy this window seat. It is a modern looking bench with printed fabric. It has sturdy and durable feet made from dark mahogany, giving it elevation and ease to clean underneath the bench if needed. Moreover, the bench is versatile as it can be used besides beds, in the hallways, in the living rooms or along with the windows. The bench also comes in different shades but at alternating prices. The bench seat is comfortable as it is ultra-soft plush, and it can support weight up to 130kg. The dimensions of the bench are 45.08W*17D*23.23H.

Pros
  • Printed finish design
  • Light in weight but can support up to 130kg
  • Ultra-plush seat and sturdy feet
Cons
  • Does not have an extra storage space like the rest
3

SONGMICS Ottoman Window Seat

– Honorable Mention
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Check On Amazon
THE SCOOP

If you are looking for something attractive yet multifunctional, we have another window seat for you. This classic looking bench is finished with leather and button tufted inside in a beautiful pattern. This ottoman bench is sturdy as it can hold weight up to 300kg and seat up to three adults on it. Moreover, you can also put food and drinks as it is easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth. The set-up of the bench is easy, and the bench can be folded when not in use.

Key Features

Moreover, the bench has a trunk inside the seat that has a storage space of 120 litres. The dimensions of the bench are 43L*15W*15H inches. Lastly, the bench also comes in decent shades, so you can choose what fits your background best.

Pros
  • Can hold up to 300kg of weight
  • Extra storage space for your stuff
  • Has an easy-to-clean surface
  • Easy to assemble
Cons
  • It is not too durable
4

Convenience Concepts Window Seat Bench

– Also Consider
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Check On Amazon
THE SCOOP

A great window seat with versatile usage, this storage bench also has tufted button accents and cushioned furnished. Moreover, it has rolled arms on the side and legs at the bottom, which provides a good elevation. The seat opens up and provides storage for small items like cushions, books and magazines. The bench is easy to assemble and compact in size when not assembled. The size of the bench is 51.25L*17W*25.25H inches. Furthermore, this bench also comes in different shades and sizes (at alternating prices). Also, the material used in this bench is flame resistant, so that you can use it near fire spaces.

Pros
  • Great, flame-resistant fabric
  • Available in different colors and sizes
  • Extra space for small stuff
  • Attractive elevated legs
Cons
  • Issues with the packaging
5

Camabel Folding Ottoman Storage

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Check On Amazon
THE SCOOP

This window seat is the best choice for you if you are looking for something that seeks attention. It is made from bright faux leather, and the biggest advantage of this material is that it is super easy to clean. It gives luxury vibes at a low price. Also, the bench is durable as it can support 2 to 3 adults and weighs up to 300kg. Furthermore, this ottoman bench has plenty of storage inside the flip lid. It would be best to use this cube seat leaning against something like at the bottom of beds, against the walls, or of course, near windows. Lastly, the dimensions of the product are 44D*15W*15H inches.

Pros
  • Made from bright, easy-to-clean, faux leather
  • Can sustain weight up to 300kg
  • Has a lot of storage space
Cons
  • Issues with the packaging of the product

People Also Asked

Q: How thick are the window seat cushions?

A: 75mm is a comfortable thickness for a cushion on the window seat.

Q: Is it simple to make your own window seat?

A: Yes, if you have the basic skills of crafting and an easy area to work on, then the task of creating your own window seat is very simple.

Q: Can I buy a window seat?

A: Yes, you can measure the size of your window, the width and the length, then buy any window seat relative to that size.

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By Woodsmith Review Team
The Woodsmith Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you choose the best tools and gear to build great-looking projects confidently. The content is created by The Woodsmith Review Team. Woodsmith’s editorial staff is not involved. Woodsmith is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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