I built a windowseat bench with storage for the kids room.
Added a cushion and pillows for comfort in hopes of enticing my kids to sit and read.
And bonus added storage bins down below because you cannot let that space go to waste!
Before this space had been occupied by a desk:
My young kids never used the desk so I moved it to the master bedroom, you can see that makeover here.
And now the much improved space:
I made the bench, similar to the entry bench here, from Ana White’s plans for the easy cube bench.
I modified the size drastically.
My bench measures 37.5″w x 25.5″d x 18″h.
It’s made from 3/4″ plywood framed with 1x2s painted semi gloss white.
I also made the pillows and cushion which is three layers of foam mattress topper inserted into the fabric.
I used 3/8″ rope for the piping on the cushion:
(Only because that’s what I had and I needed a beefier piping than the 1/4″ standard.)
It’s not perfect or professional but it works:
And my girls like it:
One last side by side:
Much better use of space for small kids.
I love the little bench! What a good idea to switch the two spaces.
i love that, it's perfect! I like the colors you used too. Thanks for your comment on my pallet wall, it was a little more work than I would have liked, but thankfully the hard part is over. 🙂
Thanks for sharing on DIY'ER!
What a smart idea!I have always wanted a window seat! How special for the girls to make memories there reading their favorite books!
I'm a new follower and would love you to be mine!
I've got some great things on there and coming out!
http://brandlarge.blogspot.com/
Much love and many more blessings!
B.Large
Genius idea for the trim!
I've always dreamed of having a reading nook. Your girls are so lucky to have such a talented mum.
This looks great Jaine! You are so busy – how do you do it all?
-Rene
Very fun! Love the fabric and the baskets are great.
Oh Honey! That's the best use of space I've ever seen…a dream for an avid reader who wants to give that gift to her children/grandchildren…
I'm tweeting this so other people will drop in!
Wonderful!
xoxo
Robin
All Things Heart and Home
That is really cute … I've always loved a window seat.
cute! 🙂 It came out really well. Such a sweet spot for your kids. you have a really sweet blog. I am your newest follower! 🙂 Feel free to hook up any of your projects at me weekend review link party which opens tommorow. Have a great day!
Humble Homemaking
What a great little reading nook for your kiddos. It looks like it was meant to be there!
Following from Miss Mustard Seed
Megan
perfect little space to encourage reading! love it!
How lovely. Love your fabric choices and combinations. It looks so fresh!
It looks perfect AND professional!
Kate @
welcomedtempest.blogspot.com
Awesome. You are a good mom.
That is perfect!! I wish I had a space for a window seat!
very cozy and cute! great work! just visiting from a to z
Thanks for this…I have a bench seat upstairs and I want to make a cushion…now I can just follow what you did!
what a perfect little storage bench…thanks for sharing. I just became a follower. I live in Dutchess Cty, NY….please visit my rather new blog….
Mariaelena
I love it! I need to make a bench like that for my boys' room.
Love the bench! Adorable! You make some great stuff! 🙂
I love your makeovers… I'm new to your blog and love the before and after pics, but I would be interested to see your construction process as well – use of power tools (those always scare me!), construction methods, tips for the great paint jobs you do, etc. While I'm all about the fabric side, I'm still leery of wood and screws.
Thanks for sharing.
I have always wanted a reading nook like that, you did a beautiful job!
I'm working on a very similar project – what bins did you use to fit the space? I'm wondering whether I'll need to get laundry bins if I want them to extend back all 24" of my project.