Functional window sill-sofa - design options and photos of the best ideas
A comfortable window sill-sofa in an apartment or house solves several design and functional problems at once. This element looks impressive, saves space, creates a cozy nest for relaxation and decorates the window in a new way. You can make a sofa instead of a window sill in the kitchen, children's room, bedroom, living room, library. There are a lot of design options - with hard and soft seats, with shelves and niches, with drawers and the most lightweight designs.
Which window sill can be turned into a sofa?
You can make a seat on a windowsill only if the window is located at a suitable height. The width does not matter - even a small sofa will add zest to the interior. But the depth of the window opening is an important question. If the window sill is very narrow, then you will have to build an additional structure that will increase the width of the bench, but reduce the area of the room.
The easiest way to make a false wall is from plasterboard using the framing method. If the room is already small, you can limit yourself to columns. A practical option is to turn the superstructure into cabinets. This way, the place will not be wasted, and the interior will become original and attractive.
Panoramic windows do not have a window sill, but in this window design they often choose light sofas with legs or seats mounted in walls (slopes).
A bay window is ideal for creating a sofa area - the oval shape increases the length of the seats, and the recessed bench does not interfere with movement around the room. A bay window with a sofa zones the space and makes it functional.
In a private house, you should pay attention to the windows located on the staircases. Small benches will decorate mini-halls and make them functional. In such corners you can arrange libraries, places for relaxation, home offices, and pet beds. If the site is compact, it is better to make the design of the window sill as simple as possible.
Design ideas and photos of design options
A window sill with a seat fits into almost all interior design styles. It is only important to clearly follow the general direction, choosing the right materials for the bench and fabrics for upholstering the seat and sewing pillows. It is more practical to make removable soft seats than permanent upholstery, since the glass needs to be washed periodically.
Cozy window-sofa in the living room
The living room is an ideal place for a soft tray - such a sofa can become a central design element. This technique visually expands the space and makes the window part of the interior. There is no need for curtains, and more sunlight enters the room. But here it is important to consider where the living room windows face. If this is a private house and they face the courtyard, you can do without curtains, but in city apartments such a technique is not always appropriate.
There is no need to give up the sofa in place of the window sill; you just need to stick on a mirror film or think about how to hang the curtains to get the desired result. If there is a water heating radiator under the window sill and it is impossible to move it, you need to use masking screens that create convection and allow warm air to pass through. You can also look for designer radiators with seats.
When remodeling, designers often combine a loggia with a living room, constructing a spacious sofa in place of the former balcony. In this case, the sofa area is located in a natural recess and fits perfectly into the interior of the living room, including those combined with the kitchen.
Soft window sill in the bedroom
In a small bedroom there is rarely room for a banquette, but you don’t always want to lie on the bed. A soft area on the windowsill is a wonderful alternative to a full-fledged armchair or sofa. Here you can read, sit with a tablet or do embroidery. This “seat” is convenient to use when getting dressed and doing makeup. Under the sofa it is possible to build a mini-chest of drawers for bed linen, pillows, and clothes.
If the bedroom is spacious, it makes sense to organize a full-fledged relaxation area with a sofa on which you can not only sit, but also lie down. Such cozy beds are convenient for families with children - kids love to stay in the parents' bedroom.
We have already told you how to make a bedroom in a one-room apartment, but this method is not there. If the window sill is very wide, then you can make a full-fledged sleeping place out of it, which during the day will turn into a roomy sofa with soft pillows. Of course, there is no question of a double bed, but a bed 90 cm wide can be considered. It’s good to make a closet around it – this will leave both usable space and add the required width.
Cozy corner in the children's room
An unusual window with a seat in a children's room will become a child's favorite corner, but in this case it is important to take care of absolute safety. Even if you live in a private house, and the risk of falling is reduced to zero, you must not forget about injuries. It is recommended to install shockproof glass for such windows, protected from destruction and splinters with a special film.
Under the window sill with a sofa in the children's room there is an opportunity to create storage space for books or toys. In a small room, the window opening can be beautifully framed with a built-in wardrobe. For classes, they often build a table - folding, hanging, sliding, turning the window into a useful area.
Which window sill is suitable for use as a sofa?
A stylish sofa on a windowsill can be made if the windows in the room are located at a distance of no more than 50-60 cm from the floor and have a width of at least 90 cm. If this rule is not followed, the bed will turn out to be too high, small and uncomfortable. The depth of the window opening is also important, but if necessary, it can be increased by erecting an additional structure made of plasterboard or installing the tabletop on special supports. Before placing the mattress on the base, it is very important to insulate the window openings to get rid of drafts. If the window is old, it should be replaced. Also, when creating a design, you should take into account the features of windows:
- Panoramic - do not have a window sill as such. Designers recommend choosing light sofas or seats and fixing them in the walls (slopes).
- Bay windows are best suited for creating a sofa area. The length of the seats is increased due to the oval shape, the recessed bench keeps the living space of the room as untouched as possible.
- Located in stairwells, such corners of the house are ideal for creating recreation areas. The design of the window sill-sofa should be kept as simple as possible.
- In the living room - if there is a bay window, the space can be expanded, covered with a mattress and a bright fluffy blanket, and decorated with voluminous pillows.
- In the kitchen, the windows fog up due to the steam coming from the stove. Therefore, it is better not to place a sofa here. Instead, you should think about creating a wooden bench for seating that fits into the overall concept of the interior.
An ordinary window sill can also be used to create a relaxation area. To turn it into a sofa, you need to install and strengthen a wide tabletop, then you can do the design. Another option is to remove the classic structure and build a podium in its place.
A sofa on the windowsill for children will not only look good, but will also serve as an additional place to sleep. Only the windows must be insulated so that in winter children do not catch a cold or get sick. You can also make an unusual bed on an insulated loggia or balcony. Created according to a special project, it will allow you to transfer these rooms from utility rooms to the most comfortable places in the house.
Redevelopment must be coordinated with the Housing Inspectorate.
Window sill - work area in the office or kitchen
Most often, the window sill acts as a working area in the kitchen, children's room or office. You can also use it to set up a work area in the living room or bedroom, if that is where you decide to install a computer or create a permanent place for a laptop.
In the kitchen, there are two options for arranging a work area on the windowsill: with or without moving the sink and hob. The first option is more expensive, as it will require changes to the location of communications - in this case, you will have to install water supply and sewerage to the sink located under the window. Moving a gas stove is completely problematic, since such redevelopment will have to be coordinated with the relevant service.
The second option assumes that the window sill will simply become a continuation of the tabletop. In this case, the costs of money and time are not so great, and the benefits of an additional work area are numerous.
If you don’t want to change the size of the window at all, and the height of the window sill and the countertop do not match, you can arrange a separate dining table or bar counter under the window, which is in no way connected with the main working area of the kitchen countertop.
The choice of materials for the window sill, which has turned into part of the countertop, is very large: marble, artificial stone, metal, ceramic tiles, concrete, quartz stone, acrylic, glass, wood, laminated chipboard and MDF. It all depends on the financial capabilities of the owner and the overall design of the kitchen interior.
As for turning a window sill into a work area in an office, nursery or living room, in this case there is no need to level the height based on adjacent surfaces, as in the kitchen. However, sitting at such a table should be comfortable, and if there is no desire or opportunity to reduce or expand the height of the window opening, you will have to take care of having chairs of optimal height.
In the kitchen
A bar counter, a work surface, a dining table - this is what you can turn a window sill into in the kitchen by reconstructing it. If you need additional space for preparing food, it is better to replace it with a wider countertop.
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In this case, a sink is mounted on one side of the work table, and a stove on the other. A very interesting option is when the sink with water taps is located right next to the window.
To make a dining table, it is not necessary to dismantle the window sill. A small table is attached to it as a continuation (for a small kitchen, a folding one is better), and the table is ready.
Of course, you won’t be able to gather a large family over it, but for a quick breakfast before work or school, you won’t find a better place.
To create a bar counter, you will have to completely reconstruct the window by raising the window sill by 30-40 cm. You will also need to organize the space around it accordingly: make decorative lighting, put a couple of bar stools, hang shelves with coffee cups, glasses and various props.
Important. A bar counter in the kitchen can only be made if it is spacious enough. But when there is a balcony in the kitchen, there is a great opportunity to attach it to the room, remove the window frames and make a full-fledged place for relaxation with a bar counter instead of a window sill.
We create the interior with our own hands
You can easily make a window sill-sofa with your own hands
If your house or apartment has a large window with a wide opening, you can create a window sill-sofa with your own hands. It will turn out to be roomy: to do this, just slightly increase the width of the existing element and place a mattress on top.
Please note that the height of the window should not exceed 50 cm from the floor: only in this case will it be possible to create a comfortable place to sit. It is also desirable that the frame be large, otherwise your sofa will turn out to be too small and uncomfortable.
Window sill-sofa with a beautiful view of the lake
A successful combination of wood and stone in the interior of a relaxation room
Minimalism in the interior of the kitchen of a private house
A glass balcony with a place to relax is a very bold decision
To get started, you need to have a number of necessary things. To do this you should purchase:
- pencil for marking;
- polyurethane foam;
- measuring tape;
- jigsaw or file for cutting the base;
- level;
- silicone sealant;
- metal brackets and corners;
- base for the window sill.
Today, a cozy window sill is becoming more and more in demand.
Comfortable window sill-sofa in an Art Nouveau style interior
Window sill-sofa for interior in any style
Wonderful living room in eco-style
As a rule, the interior design of a room is developed in a single style. It emphasizes the individuality and taste preferences of the owner. All interior details must fit into the chosen design.
If the room is decorated classically, then the sofa-window sill is most often made of wood or stone. It should be wide and roomy, with plenty of pillows and a high mattress.
Window sill-sofa in the design of a high-rise apartment loggia
Bright elements will help dilute the black and white interior
High-tech, in turn, requires minimalism, and in this version a plastic base is used, on which a low mattress is placed. The base is most often made narrow. This sofa is more suitable for relaxing and reading or drinking tea than for sleeping.
Various ethnic motifs in the interior require the use of natural materials: stone or wood. A narrow flat sofa mounted on a window to expand the space will look best.
An elegant Mediterranean style, or Provence, can be created using a wooden base for a window sill. By adding small pillows, you will have a comfortable place to spend time with your laptop or tablet.
A sofa on the windowsill is a great addition to the living room interior
A successful contrasting color combination in the living room interior
Art Deco will offer you colorful fabrics and materials to create your interior. The plastic base can be covered with a bright mattress with pillows, decorated paintings or unusual patterns.
Which style you like best is up to the owner of the room to decide. You can fit a sofa-window-sill into any of them, the main thing is to adhere to a single concept and take into account the capabilities of a particular room. To make the right decision, you should look at the different types of window sills and sofas in the photos on the Internet. This will allow you to choose an option that will take into account the owner’s preferences. The sofa will become functional and comfortable, and will also look perfect in the room.
Convenient window sills for storage: sofa window sill, how to make
Storage-friendly window seats make a lot of sense. If you have enough space for them, use them to store seasonal clothing, miscellaneous gear, or bedding. Open storage areas are ideal for books and magazines.
Spare seating can take many forms. Some of them repurpose Ikea cabinets as window benches, using the spare space inside them.
Others build entire storage walls with random windows in them. Regardless of the shape you decide to go with, storage accessories like baskets and drawers can also help you declutter and create a convenient window spot.
Window sill ideas
There are many advantages to converting a window sill. It is more pleasant to relax, cook, and work with a beautiful view from the window. In addition, by using part of the window, you can significantly save space for other furniture.
Let's share the coolest ideas!
Workplace
The wider the window, the larger the working area. Attach an additional tabletop to the windowsill and place a comfortable chair. To prevent battery heat from causing inconvenience, install temperature regulators.
Kitchen table
By analogy with the previous idea, you can arrange a kitchen table in a small kitchen or a countertop for cooking. Choose according to your taste.
Bar counter
If the window sill is high enough, attach a narrow tabletop perpendicular to the window, install one support on the other side and the bar counter is ready! It will take up less space than a freestanding one. And several stylish bar stools will complement the seating area.
By the way, such a bar counter can be organized on the balcony, even if it is not insulated. In the summer it will be a pleasant place for breakfast and meeting with friends.
Place for rest and storage
The window sill can be turned into a small sofa. It will be appropriate in the kitchen (instead of chairs), in the living room, children's room - in any room.
To do this, it is enough to lengthen the surface of the window sill and attach a small frame. By the way, it can be made with drawers and shelves. Get extra storage space!
The seat of the “sofa” can be a large foam cushion upholstered in fabric. And soft decorative pillows will add comfort and comfort to your back.
Dressing table
Why clutter your bedroom when you can use a window sill? By the way, applying makeup in natural daylight will be much more convenient.
Important points
Rebuilding a window sill requires a competent approach, in which it is important to take into account all the nuances:
Calculate the maximum weight and strengthen the structure so that the window sill does not bend.
If the window sill protrudes strongly, be sure to provide additional support.
Too small a distance between the radiator and the window sill can reduce the heating efficiency. It must be at least 10 cm.
If you are adding a frame and there is a battery under the window, be sure to make a ventilated box and door so that you can get to the battery in case of a leak.
Come to Hoff for everything you need to realize your interior ideas!
Styles and decoration for different rooms
Despite the apparent monotony of the design, you can decorate a sofa-window sill in a variety of ways. At the same time, a design solution can enhance the recognition of a particular interior style. For example, even a version of a sofa-window sill, lined with large rough stones, complemented by a laconic mattress and several pillows, can add aesthetics to the interior.
However, in order for the furniture to fit harmoniously into a particular stylistic solution, it is necessary to rely on its resources.
Each style has its own. For example, to decorate bay windows in the Provence style, you need light shades, materials with small floral or striped prints, and an abundance of frills and natural textiles. Minimalism is important for modern stylistic trends. This is the simplicity of forms, their symmetry and laconic texture. Ecological styles need to demonstrate natural materials and their texture. Retro design is conveyed through the bright colors of the pillows and the creativity of their texture.
In the modern world, quite often people have to buy small-sized housing. But this also has its advantages, if, of course, you decorate its interior correctly and at the same time maintain as much free space as possible. There are many tips and ideas from designers that will help you visually enlarge any room. Quite recently, an idea arose about how to use a window sill, which was previously intended only for flowerpots.
Now you can use its surface as an additional place to relax, which will significantly save room space. Such a sofa from a window sill has become very popular today, because more and more people have become interested in its properties. This solution is suitable for a children's room, living room or library, depending on your preferences. You will be able to surprise your guests and please your loved ones, because it is very comfortable to sit or lie on the windowsill, where you have a beautiful view from the window.
There you can think and watch what is happening on the street, or read your favorite book and be transported to a fairy-tale world of fantasy. The main thing is that you don’t have to fill the room with unnecessary furniture, which will definitely make it smaller. If you think that such a sofa can only be built in a private home, then you are mistaken. After all, on a high floor in an apartment you can get even more pleasure from relaxing on this piece of furniture.
You can decorate the interior, add something mysterious, unusual and original to it. Pillows or mattresses of different sizes and colors are usually placed on top to improve the level of rest. The finishing style of such a window sill sofa should be combined with other interior items. If you want to emphasize your refined taste and uniqueness, then you can use the most daring solutions in the design of this sofa model. Under which you can make an additional shelf for books or magazines, which will be very convenient and original.
Mini bar
Decorating a window sill in the form of a minibar is a fairly common idea. By combining a wooden tabletop with a long table and adding a few interior elements, you can get a cozy corner where you will want to drink hot tea or something stronger.
Even a cup of strong coffee will not invigorate you in the morning as much as a bright view from the window, and at night during a romantic dinner no candles will outshine the lights of the city at night.
Soft window sill made of different materials
Such window sills-seats are made of wood, stone, plastic, tiles, MDF and chipboard.
Tree
To create a window sill-sofa, it is better to prefer wood. It has high quality and good thermal insulation properties. Popular wood is from trees such as oak, larch, cherry, ash, chestnut, maple, mahogany and beech. It is recommended to install a pine window sill if you need to reduce the purchase price. Wooden window sills are environmentally friendly and durable (especially those made of oak and larch, which are very hard).
Wood has a positive effect on human health. It does not cause allergies, promotes natural ventilation and normal humidity. Pine has natural antiseptic properties.
Wood can be used in any design style. It suits any interior.
One of the main disadvantages of wooden window sills is their low resistance to moisture. Therefore, they are periodically treated with anti-rotting agents. They need protection from mechanical damage. Natural wood has a high cost.
In construction stores, you can choose a window sill from a large collection of models made of MDF or chipboard, but their disadvantage is that they lose their qualities when in contact with moisture.
Plastic
A wide window sill in the interior can be made from inexpensive plastic. It does not rot, is lightweight, does not deteriorate from the sun's rays, does not require periodic painting, and is easy to install.
It is easy to cut it with a jigsaw, but you need to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from small particles from the plastic being cut. A two-component polyurethane foam is applied under such a base. When dried, its volume does not increase and does not lead to distortion of the plastic base.
Stone
You can also use natural stone to create a seating area under the window. You can sit comfortably on it by placing a soft mattress on top. And if you remove the insulation, then the window sill, even a nondescript gray color, will look attractive.
You can use natural marble. The qualitative characteristics of artificial stones are not inferior to natural materials, and in appearance they are similar to natural stones.
Bed on the windowsill in the apartment
Hallway seat
Standard hallways rarely have a window, but you can repeat the idea in a country house or dressing room where there is one. To do this, you don’t have to buy expensive furniture: just make sure that the wide window sill can support a person’s weight. You can put a mattress and pillows on it, and take up the space under the seat with a shelf for shoes.
Rest and storage
In the case of wide slopes, designers suggest creating something like a sofa. In this example, several storage drawers are located under the seating area, which increases the functionality of the structure. You can take a nap in this space, if it is wide enough, and store bedding underneath.
Reading space
The seat can be shortened in length, saving space for cabinets or shelves, as in this example. The designer has created a relaxation corner that will fit perfectly into the living room, bedroom or large kitchen.
You can make soft seats near a narrow window. Poufs or a full-fledged sofa will do. It is convenient for two people to sit on it or sit alone with a tray. As in the case of a sleeping place, it is enough to remove the window sill and place the furniture close to the window.
Not along, but across
If the window is located in the corner of the room, a sofa or bed can be placed as in this photo. It is worth thinking about the headboard separately, so this option should be considered at the stage of planning an apartment or major renovation. If you don’t want to build new walls, then a screen or high rack will be suitable for zoning.
The window space is also adapted for work needs. This is especially true for freelancers who need to work from home. To create an office, a table 45 cm wide is enough. Don’t forget about good lighting - in the evening you will need a lamp on the left or built-in LED lights on the slopes or ceiling.
A window sill can also play the role of a table, and it does not have to be located strictly under the windows. The space is limited by walls or left open. Such a study can also be done near a panoramic window.
You can lean nothing against the panoramic windows and still decorate the space in an original way. Flowers are often placed near the window; without a window sill, you can build a small podium for them. Or make a place for your pet by putting a bed, bowls and toys. In this example, the designer added a glass shelf that is ideal for potted plants. Transparent horizontal does not create the effect of dividing space.
How to decorate a window sill-sofa in different rooms
A soft corner on the window fits into any room and design style. A bed in the opening will help you use the usable space wisely and increase the functionality of the space. To prevent the window sill-sofa from looking like a foreign element, you need to choose the right design.
Kitchen
A bench in a window opening looks much better than a work area. In the interior of a small room, a storage system is equipped under the seat; small shelves are appropriate on the slopes. For a sofa in the kitchen, designers recommend choosing a mattress or pillows of practical, non-staining material with removable pillowcases. A side or coffee table is installed nearby.
In a spacious room there is no need to save usable space, so the soft area is left independent. The marble bed, which matches the material of the set's countertop, looks luxurious. Lighting is installed around the perimeter of the window block, making the area more isolated.
An island work area is often installed next to the window seat. While the food is being prepared, the hostess can relax on the sofa. The heating system is moved to the walls, and a bedside table with drawers is installed under the bed. A long bench that covers several windows looks impressive.
Wooden sofa-window sill
Cozy seating area with a wooden window sill-sofa
Window sill-sofa combined with work area
For wooden products, felt insulation is used, which is placed under the base. If the surface does not need to be greatly expanded, then you can install the sofa on spacers. To do this, the cut base is mounted to size using special spacers and leveled. They are fixed using foam or a special solution, which is applied in a layer of 0.5 cm. For a living space, this can be a mixture of gypsum and putty. Additionally, the wooden base should be secured with self-tapping screws. The sealant is used to seal cracks and joints of the window sill with the frame and walls. The wood is treated with varnish to extend its service life.
