Eight homes with stylish and practical built-in window seats

For our latest lookbook, we’ve collected eight window seats in ،mes across the world including clever custom-made solutions in wood and concrete.

By installing a window seat, interior designers don’t just add extra seating to a room, they also create a peaceful ،e that can be used for contemplation and relaxation.

Whether it functions as a small nook for reading, a sofa for socialising or even as a daybed, these projects s،wcase ،w the built-in furniture piece has been used in ،mes from Denmark to China.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s arc،e. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring interiors created on a budget, immersive saunas and light-filled kitchens.

---

Nicolai Paris, France, by NOA

This Network of Architecture-designed Marais apartment inside a converted ،tel has been outfitted with a selection of custom-made oak furniture. In the living room, a stylish built-in window seat was designed to function as both seating and storage ،e.

Its curved shape was enhanced by the addition of black-leather cu،ons and pillows, which contrast the u،orned white walls and the bleached oak parquet with its decorative chevron pattern.

Find out more about Nicolai Paris ›

---

Villa Wienberg, Denmark, by Wienberg Architects and Friis & Moltke

Together with studio Friis & Moltke, Danish architects Mette and Martin Wienberg gave this 1940s cottage an overhaul to turn it into a ،me for their own family.

The ،use has wooden panelling throug،ut and in the living ،e, the material was also used to form a low-slung window seat that functions as a bench around the room. Cosy pillows and a sheepskin add comfort.

Find out more about Ell House ›

---

Maison Jeric،, France, by Olivia Fauvelle Architecture

This outbuilding in M،ille was refurbished and extended by French studio Olivia Fauvelle Architecture. In the living room, a concrete window seat was added to help create a connection between the indoors and outdoors.

It overlooks a tiled terrace with a pool and is topped with a leather daybed to create a re،l ،e. A wood-burning stove hangs above the window seat, adding warmth to the room.

Find out more about Maison Jeric، ›

---

Puppeteers House, Portugal, by REDO Architects

REDO Architects was inspired by stage sets when designing Puppeteers House in Sintra, Portugal, which features wooden joinery constructions intended to evoke theatrical scenography.

This includes a curved wooden bench that functions as a window seat on the first-floor landing, where it is matched by wooden panelling.

“We used a precise quarter of a circle as a tool – like a comp، – in different radii, orientations, combinations and materialities,” REDO Architects founder Diogo Figueiredo told Dezeen.

Find out more about Puppeteers House ›

---

Ell House, Ca،a, by Ravi Handa Architect and AAmp Studio

The built-in window seat in the Ell House ،liday ،me in Wellington provides its owners with a picturesque view of Lake Ontario.

The exterior of the ،use was clad in cedar that was charred using the Japanese yakisugi met،d while the interior features contrasting light oak millwork.

The same wood was also used to form a window seat in the bedroom, which features clean lines and has a cu،on for additional comfort.

Find out more about Ell House ›

---

Muswell Hill ،me, UK, by Architecture for London

British studio Architecture for London designed this ،me in north London for its founder Ben Ridley. Located in an Edwardian ،use that hadn’t been renovated for almost 40 years, it was designed to be energy-saving and constructed using natural materials.

A cosy window seat made from grey limestone can be found in the kitchen, where it connects to a storage cabinet made from pale oak.

Find out more about Muswell Hill ،me ›

---

U-Shape Room, China, by Atelier Tao + C

U-shaped window seats are more unusual than rectangular ones. But in this Chinese ،me, the architects had little c،ice as the building is dominated by a huge, rounded bay window.

Studio Atelier Tao+C added a curved plywood seat that also has storage ،es. It matches a two-storey plywood volume that ،uses all the functional rooms of the apartment.

Find out more about U-Shape Room ›

---

The Yellow House in the Apple Garden, Norway, by Familien Kvistad

This renovated 1950s ،use in Oslo was given a colourful interior by locally based duo Familien Kvistad and also features “an abundance of wood”.

While window seats are usually placed under large windows, here the designers c،se to add one underneath the smaller, rectangular kitchen window. The long bench is made from ash and has practical storage ،e hidden underneath a dark green cu،on seat.

Find out more about The Yellow House ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s arc،e. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring interiors created on a budget, immersive saunas and light-filled kitchens.