6 Homes with Beautiful Window Seats

Window seats have a way of making a home feel more considered—adding storage, maximizing awkward corners and creating a space to unwind. Keep scrolling to see why this feature remains a favourite among homeowners and designers alike.

Bay Watch

If you’re ever unsure about how to design a bedroom sitting area, take a cue from this space by Falken Reynolds. This window seat not only provides a sunny spot to sit, but also offers an incredible view of Cadboro Bay. Talk about a win-win! Peek inside this elegant coastal home.

Landing Pad

“[This is] not one of those homes that’s just pretty,” says designer Aly Velji. “It’s truly utilized.” To wit, the staircase landing has been transformed into a nook—complete with a cushioned window seat. What was once a transitional space now offers a spot for the homeowners’ children to read, do homework or simply hang out. Explore this playful and colourful Calgary home.

Book Nook

Interior designer and homeowner Vanessa Stark didn’t want to obscure the windows in her living room—so instead of built-in shelves, she opted for a low-profile bench (with room underneath for stowing her collection of design tomes). “We’re always pulling out magazines and books for references, so we didn’t want to put them out of sight,” she explains. “We thought, let’s make it simple and see how we live.” Check out the rest of the gorgeously curated Vancouver condo.

Kitchen Comfort

Window seats don’t just belong in bedrooms and living rooms, and this light-filled kitchen is proof. “The window beach is a really lovely feature from a functionality perspective,” says Laura Melling, founder and creative director of Melling Studio; it has plenty of built-in storage for the homeowners’ three young children. Learn more about this kitchen renovation.

Perfect Pair

The alcove created by a bay window doesn’t have to be used for a window seat—but we’re so glad that’s what architect D’Arcy Jones decided to do here. Now, the homeowners’ kids have a spot in each of their bedrooms to read and look out onto the street. Tour this infill home in Vancouver’s Riley Park neighbourhood.

Double Feature

The only thing better than one window seat? Two, of course! In designer Lindsay Steele’s Nannoose Bay home, built-in benches flank the fireplace, offering additional spots to sit and also extra storage. “They are such a great use of space, and a great cozy spot to sit near a window,” she says. See more of this waterfront home.