• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Shop My Home
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

July 24, 2015

DIY Window Seat With Storage

Why oh why we ever think we are going to get big projects done in the summertime is beyond me! I had the best of intentions of tackling my office makeover this summer. So far, I have a desk. 😉

We’re giving ourselves a break though, knowing all of you totally understand and relate. We also know that many of you are newer friends to us here at the fence so we thought it would be fun to put together a new series.

Welcome to the Flashback Friday series!

We’re going to take a look back at some of our favorite projects, many of which are so buried in our archives (and let’s face it some of them don’t include the best photography!) that you may have never seen them.

Today, come along with me as I flashback to 2013 when we built a window seat in our old home in Kentucky.

How to Build a Window Seat with Storage

window-seat-with-storage-2

One of my favorite features of my recent kitchen remodel,  is my window seat.  I was sad that it wasn’t part of the Better Homes and Gardens feature, and I’ve had several people ask to see the “rest of the kitchen”, which is where the window seat sits.

There’s something special and romantic about a window seat.  And, even better a window seat with lots of storage!

How to build a window seat with storage atthepicketfence.com

For several years now I had envisioned a window seat in the bay window area of my kitchen.  We have a beautiful 2 acre backyard, and I imagined sitting up in a window seat drinking coffee and looking out over the farm land and woods behind my house.

I could see, in my mind,  The Girl sitting on the seat in the warm afternoon sun reading a book curled up with her dog. While underneath the seat resided all of my tall vases, awkward hard to store kitchen gadgets, and my three tiered cupcake carrier.

Once I had convinced Bama Boy to allow me to remodel the kitchen, my second demand request, after tearing out the non functioning planning desk, was building my window seat.

He in turn begged convinced our neighbor, Will “The Tool Man” Taylor, who I introduced to you in my board and batten bath remodel, to help him build it.

Which, translated means: Will built it and Bama Boy “assisted.”  But, regardless of who actually built the window seat, I now have one…and I am one happy gal!

Several of you asked if I would be sharing details on how we built it.  Since, I was not actually involved in the step by step building, I will show you lots of pictures.  Hopefully they will give you a good idea on how this was built.

First step in the process is framing out the window seat.

 window-seat-9

The bay is about 8ish feet long.  We used 2X4’s to make the frame.  I think it took about six.

window-seat-8

 Now we were dealing with two issues with the location of the window seat. Can you guess what they are?  I’m sure you see them.  Yep, a vent and an outlet.

window-seat-10

Here’s what we did.  First, we left the outlet intact, but put the back support above it.  That way I can still access it if I need it.  The vent required some thought.

So, here’s how we solved the dilemma.  We constructed a box out of plywood that directed the airflow to the front of the window seat.  The sides and top were glued and nailed, for a tight fit and then caulked.  This would prevent any loss of heat or air from the vent into the window seat, and would keep a nice flow out the front into the room.  A perfect solution!  So, if you have nixed the idea of a window seat because of a vent in the location, this solution should remove any hesitancy!

Now a window seat is a wonderful luxury, but storage is a necessity.  I did not want a window seat if I could not take advantage of the space underneath for storage.  Enter the window seat door.

attaching piano hinge

We used a nice piece of birch to construct the window seat.  We measured the space between the 2X4 braces and the boys cut a door out of the plywood.  Then we attached the longest piano hinge we could find.  You can purchase these at Lowe’s or Home Depot.  This hinge was the perfect length, but if you find it’s a little long for your window seat door it can be cut to fit.

Attaching the hinge properly takes a little bit of effort and will take more than one person.  It will also be a little “tight” for awhile, which is why there is a gap between the door and the sides, but will loosen up over time (and with bottoms sitting on it. grin)

Next you will need to decide what you want to “face” the front with. You can choose a nice piece of plywood and built boxes along the front. I’ve seen these online.  But since we are trying to achieve a french farmhouse look, we used beadboard.  You will need to cut the sheets to fit and then apply construction adhesive to the support braces.

You will want to make sure that you cut a hole in your beadboard paneling to allow the vent cover to fit in snugly but still be removable to vacuum out the vent box as needed.  The left panel fit right to the edge of where the cover would be, but we did jigsaw out the right side panel to accommodate the other side of the vent cover.

 

Don’t worry about seams.  Caulk is your friend!

After your window seat is constructed.  You will need to add baseboard to run along the front of your window seat as well as nice trim to finish off all of the edges.

 

We chose a beaded trim that is used for screen doors.  It was nice and flat and the perfect size to run along the front of the actual seat as well as along the back of the seat by the wall which covered up any gaps and imperfections due to the walls not being perfectly straight..imagine that! 😉

Here is the trim painted, but still not caulked along the back.  Make sure that you caulk all visible gaps as a final step to building your window seat. This will give it a nice finished professional look. Give your window seat, trim and beadboard several coats of paint.

Here is my completed window seat in my kitchen makeover! It’s a favorite place for people to sit and the 8 feet of storage has not disappointed!

Kitchen Remodel from At The Picket Fence

Here are all of the links to the full kitchen makeover if you’d like to see all of the other projects we tackled! 

See you back here soon…at the picket fence.

signature 1

P.S.

We want to say a HUGE thank you to all of you for your wonderfully kind, encouraging and supportive comments regarding the news of our book deal! We just love you guys!!

5 Comments Filed Under: Beadboard, DIY, Good Ideas, Kitchen Remodel Tagged With: DIY, kitchen

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Our BIG News
Next Post: On Being Important »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anne@DesignDreams says

    July 24, 2015 at 5:53 AM

    It looks wonderful! What I wouldn’t give for a bay window with a window seat!!! Happy Friday!

    Reply
  2. Carolyn says

    July 24, 2015 at 5:30 PM

    Hi..

    Nice job! How did you make the pillow cover? I have a window seat with storage but no cover for it.

    Thanks!

    Reply
  3. Teresa says

    July 24, 2015 at 7:00 PM

    I have a small kitchen with 2 windows looking out onto the backyard. I would like to build a window seat along those windows so there will be more space in the kitchen (the table can be pushed up close to the seat when it is not needed for seating). I can store non-food items in the window seat so I have more storage in my pantry for food.

    Reply
  4. Georgia @ Silver Spiral Studio says

    July 24, 2015 at 9:56 PM

    This looks beautiful!! Congratulations. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂

    Reply
  5. sara says

    August 31, 2015 at 4:54 AM

    Great ! It really helps me a lot!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • A New Look for the Family Room

    A New Look for the Family Room
  • Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

    Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze
  • The Slow Exit

    The Slow Exit
  • Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

    Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

Grandma’s Banana Bread

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Laundry Room Makeover February 23, 2023
  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023
  • Nostalgic Christmas Home Tour December 10, 2022
  • Vintage Inspired Hot Cocoa Bar November 21, 2022
  • Autumn Home Decor Tour October 7, 2022

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

Happy Friday! I’m oh so thankful for beautiful s Happy Friday! I’m oh so thankful for beautiful sunshine especially when our family has been hit by illness this week. Everyone is on the upswing, thankfully, and I’m hoping we’ll fell well enough to get outside and soak up some much needed natural vitamin D. After so many days of wet, gloomy weather this is like balm for my soul! 🍃 What’s the weather like where you are?
Here is a friendly PSA for you...do not, I repeat, Here is a friendly PSA for you...do not, I repeat, DO NOT attempt to apply eyeliner while you have the hiccups. It won't go well. Trust me on this one! 😜

In other news, the hot cocoa station is finally gone and in it's place is a fresh new look that was kicked off by finding a beautiful, rustic vase at @homegoods. It feels like my home is rising up to welcome Spring and I'm so ready for sunshine and longer days. 🍃

Don’t forget to check out my stories tonight for Friday funnies! I love hearing from so many of you who say it’s your favorite way to wrap up your week. ☺️

Happy weekend to you dear friends!
It’s Tip Tuesday time! This week I’m sharing o It’s Tip Tuesday time! This week I’m sharing one of my most favorite ways to simply and inexpensively add seasonal decor to your home. There’s nothing like getting big impact with little effort and without breaking the bank! #tiptuesday #decorforless
What a gift it was to wake up on the first day of What a gift it was to wake up on the first day of March and see glorious sunshine greeting us after a few days of ice and snow. This is the month of hope and expectation and I’m here for it.

Happy March first dear friends! 🍃
Our first ‘laundry room’ wasn’t actually a r Our first ‘laundry room’ wasn’t actually a room at all. The 20+ year old washer and dryer we inherited after we got married was hooked up in the garage of our small townhouse. Our second ‘laundry room’ was an improvement because it was actually INSIDE the house but it was in our family room behind bifold doors.

So when we moved into this home 15 years ago I literally jumped up and down when I saw this real laundry room. Never mind that it had dated counters and an old stained sink. It was an actual room!

We made minor updates to it over the years but other, more visible, spaces took priority so we spent our resources on beautifying those.

But, last summer, we finally had new counters installed and made a few more updates that have completely transformed this room. 

Now, it’s almost a joy to do the laundry…almost! 😉

For more photos and details head on over to my website using the link in my bio.
“In you, LORD my God, I put my trust. I trust in “In you, LORD my God, I put my trust.
I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.

No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.

Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.”

Psalm 25:1-6
Ronald Reagan famously said that “all great chan Ronald Reagan famously said that “all great change in America begins at the dinner table.” I think this is true for everyone worldwide. You simply can’t put a value on the importance of gathering together for a meal with those you love. But, sometimes, we can struggle with getting the conversations flowing. So for this #tiptuesday, I’m sharing some tools we’ve used in our home. 🍃
There is just something about the combination of l There is just something about the combination of lemon and honey. It’s rustic yet fancy, sweet yet tart, spring-like yet comforting on a cold winters day. 

And that’s why this is hands down one of my favorite recipes! I decided to take a basic tea cake and turn it into a loaf of sweet, tart, simple yet fancy goodness and the only thing bad about it was how quickly it disappeared!

🍋You can find the recipe by following the link in my bio 🍯
“Have regular hours for work and play; make each “Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well.” (Louisa May Alcott).

The sun is shining and it’s the perfect day to photograph our laundry room which got a bit of a makeover. This space is definitely useful as it bears the brunt of everyone tromping through it all day long but I think I’ve managed to make it pleasant as well. One of my greatest realizations in my homemaking journey was when I recognized that those two things weren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, it’s the pleasant that enhances the useful and vice versa.

I’ll have the rest of the makeover reveal on my website soon but I just couldn’t resist sharing a sneak peek with you today! 🌿
A little bit of snow and ice leading to a two hour A little bit of snow and ice leading to a two hour school delay and then a little bit of sunshine followed by fog. That’s how our Valentines Day began!

I’m so thankful for my cozy home and my loves who live here with me and I can’t wait to spoil them a bit tonight. We don’t go crazy on Valentine’s Day but I try to still make it sweet even if it’s simple. 💕

Do you celebrate at your house? What’s your favorite treat?
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence