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Does your cat always manage to find the sunniest spot in the house? Does your dog spend hours perched by the window, keeping tabs on the neighborhood? They might be onto something. A window seat is prime real estate for reading, napping, daydreaming, and generally doing very little. So why leave that perfectly good alcove empty? Take a cue from your resident loungers and turn it into a cozy, well-designed destination. Ahead, eight window seats that make the most of their views—inside and out.
A Calming Nursery Nook
Just because her home was a rental didn’t mean creative director Christie Tonnessen was going to hold back when designing her nursery. The resulting space is a soothing mix of sage green, delicate florals, and soft textiles. An existing window seat got a refresh with new upholstery and wall-mounted lights—now, it’s a favorite hangout spot for Tonnessen’s husband.
A Tiny London Perch
Every inch counts in this 730-square-foot Notting Hill apartment. Designer Claire Sa, co-founder of De Rosee Sa, set out to create a layered, comfortable retreat for its jet-setting owner. In the bedroom, an otherwise underutilized corner became an intimate window seat with hidden storage underneath.
A Warm Spot for Unwinding
When the couple behind lifestyle brand Bonnie and Neil renovated their Melbourne bungalow, they wanted a home that felt as comfortable as it was beautiful. Warm peachy-beige walls set the tone in the living room, while the adjacent sunroom became a retreat for reading, napping, and listening to records.
A Multipurpose Laundry-Folding Station
Interior designer Liza Reyes approached the renovation of this Los Angeles family home with one goal: modernize the interiors, but preserve original touches. Just inside the front door, a new upholstered bench beneath the window has become a landing pad for reading, scrolling, and even folding laundry. Proof that a pretty perch can be practical, too.
A Pattern-Happy Snug
The refresh of this East Hampton home started with a single fabric: a small-scale embroidered strawberry print by Chelsea Textiles. From there, designer Lauren Carlucci created a sweet, personal interior filled with layers of pattern and meaningful details. The snug window seat, tucked into its own little niche in a kids’ bedroom, perfectly captures that more-is-more spirit.
An Expansive Reading Station
Designer Meta Coleman saw potential in an awkward, narrow nook off the second-floor landing of a Salt Lake City home. Rather than let the space go to waste, she transformed it into a reading retreat complete with book storage. Wide, curved edges and geometric reeding give the built-in an unexpected architectural twist.
A Recess for Meditation
Artist and creative director Maps Rasmussen‘s Los Angeles home doesn’t have much room to spare. But that didn’t stop them from carving out a dedicated spot for slowing down. A teal-cushioned window seat, designed for reading and meditation, overlooks a lemon tree with special meaning.
A Comfy Lounging Spot
Not every window seat needs to be custom-built. Case in point: This dreamy Atlanta nook, where an Indian charpai takes the place of a traditional built-in bench. The spot was originally home to a desk, but when designers Kate Hayes and Krista Sharif of Hayes Little Studio discovered the piece fit perfectly, they knew they’d found its new spot. Sometimes the best design solution is simply moving furniture around.