This DIY Window Seat Turns an Awkward Landing Into the Coziest Spot in the House
A window already feels like it should have somewhere to sit with a good book or a cup of tea. A chair pulled close to the glass, a stack of books nearby, a blanket tossed over the armrest in the winter.
Or a great big window seat.
And why buy one or bring in contractors when you can make one yourself? Thanks to creator @farmhouseish, a custom-built window seat might be more within reach than you think.
The creator, who recently reshared an older video, detailed how she created a DIY window seat with a built-in reading nook and oversized storage drawers tucked underneath. The finished bench fills the wall beneath the window, and once the drawers, trim, and paint are complete, the space feels connected to the rest of the house rather than left bare.
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How To Build the DIY Window Seat
Following the video, the project started with a simple 2x4 frame secured directly into the studs and covered with plywood. From there came the 1x4 face frame, decorative trim, and large pull-out drawers beneath the bench seat.
@farmhouseish DIY WINDOW SEAT? Don't mind if I do! It was time to give this landing a more functional purpose… and by it was time I mean I needed to do it before the flooring & treads get replaced soon Next up, we figure out the wall above it, a cushion, the floors, and maybe a little something to give us a better view Isn't she pretty?? #readingnook#windowseat#stairwelldesign#diyfurniture#diynook#decorativemoulding#buildyourown#farmhouseish#budgetfriendly#diybench#storagehacks
original sound - ITYSL
Once construction is finished, the smaller details become completely customizable. The trim style, paint color, drawer hardware, and wallpaper inside the drawers can all shift the look in different directions. Choose wallpaper that matches your style for the inside of the drawers to add color and pattern when they slide open. Different hardware finishes can make the bench feel more traditional, modern, or cottage-inspired.
The final layer is what makes the bench feel lived in: cushions, throw pillows, and folded blankets stacked along the window.
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The Drawers Make the Bench More Useful
The oversized drawers hold blankets, games, seasonal decor, shoes, and other things that would otherwise end up scattered around nearby rooms. The same build could also work beneath a hallway window, along a mudroom wall, or in a playroom corner, depending on what your house needs most.
And while the finished seat looks custom, the build itself breaks down into straightforward stages: framing, drawers, trim, paint, and wallpaper. Once everything is assembled, the entire piece can shift depending on the style of the home around it.
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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 6:40 AM.