Ottawa Carpentry Services: Installing a Wooden Window Bench

Window seats aren’t just a different place in the house to plant your bottom. Wooden window benches can add life to an otherwise dull nook or provide a practical purpose for a mudroom. They can provide storage or a place to complete homework. Fancy reading by the window as the rain mists by? A window seat can do that too. Learn more about window seats and who to call for a carpenter in Ottawa.

What Is a Window Seat?

Typically, a window seat is a seating area constructed under or in front of a window. It usually runs the length of the window, has enough depth for a person to sit comfortably, and has a backrest on at least one side. Many people include a fitted cushion on the top of the window seat but others leave it off in favour of the plain wooden seating. There are three basic types of window seats:

• Shelf
• Cabinetry 
• Box

What Are Window Seats Used For?

Window seats are, surprisingly, not just for extra seating. Carpenter and repair services in Ottawa install window seats for a variety of different purposes.

• Storage 
• Sleeping 
• Reading
• Concealment 
• Reading 
• Eating
• Sewing
• Gaming

What Is a Window Seat Made Of?

Much like any other custom installations, pre-fabricated materials cost less and are more expensive wood materials. Depending on the look and decor of your home, you may want to choose one or a mix of both to construct your window seat. Many people opt to build the seat and then paint it because the front board often has scuff marks from the back of footwear.

Where Can You Put a Window Seat?

Working with the carpenters at Handyman Connection, you can design a window set to complement any room in your home. Window seats can even be constructed with no window, and where there was no previous niche for a seat. While some people prefer to DIY for window seats, the expertise of skilled professionals will be a breath of fresh air when making your window seat dream a reality.

What If There’s No Spot for a Window Seat?

Many people run into the common problem of wanting a window seat but not having a designated niche or window. Designers and carpenters work together to find the best area in the house to construct a place. They usually find a wall that has a significant amount of room length-wise. On that wall, they will either section off an area in the corner or use the whole wall to construct built-in shelving with a “window” seat in the middle.

In the case of no window, the seat becomes a built-in bench. Built-in benches are just as functional when no window is available, and they can be used for breakfast nooks and sleeping quarters, etc. If any of your rooms lack seating and space, building up with shelving and adding a built-in bench solves two problems.

What Accessories Do Window Seats Have?

Window seats can be customized as much or as little as you want them to be. The area can be plain and streamlined, or it can be a totally different design from the rest of the home, adding interest to an otherwise drab space. Many people add other accoutrements such as:

• Trim 
• Paneling 
• Lighting 
• Shades 
• Cushions 
• Outlets 
• Blankets

No matter your vision for a window seat, clean lines and classical styles, or vibrant colors and chandelier lighting with silk pillows, it can be completed with the expertise of a professional designer and carpenter. Don’t waste time on gathering materials, tools and cleaning up. Instead, let the pros do what they do best: make your vision a reality. Contact Handyman Connection to get started on your window seat today.