Inspiration

For now and forever solutions for building a window seat

Article by Your Home and Garden

The dream reno project of Your Home and Garden’s senior designer is a window seat. We discover the short-term and future-proof solutions

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For now and forever solutions for Catherine Wilkinson’s dream reno project

“A daybed or window seat would be the perfect sun-drenched spot to snuggle up with my cats, a glass of wine and some tapas,” says Your Home and Garden senior designer/stylist Catherine Wilkinson.

Catherine’s house is a new-build and it doesn’t have any window alcoves. She would love to add a bay window and daybed or window seat – ideally with storage space underneath.

For now solution

Purchase a comfy chaise longue or an armchair and footstool. Alternatively, get creative and build your own window seat.

Pros
Simple and affordable; no structural changes needed.

Cons
May take up too much space in the room.

Considerations
+ Style of house and room.
+ Sun direction.

Time: Anything from a few hours to a few days.
Budget: $50-$2500.

Forever solution

Create a bay window extension in a part of your home with all-day sun. Install large windows and a fitted window seat and create a pretty garden or courtyard outlook.

Pros
Adds value to the house.

Cons
An expensive project for the return you will get – make sure you plan to use it a lot.

Considerations
+ Sun direction and house style.
+ Enough land for extension and planting?
+ You will need building consent and an excellent builder as finishing will be key.

Time: Four weeks once building consent has been issued.
Budget: $15,000-$20,000.

Words by: Fiona Ralph. Photography by: Maree Homer/bauersyndication.com.au.