Sofa barrier: a stylish interior element near the window

Pros and cons of the solution

A window sill sofa has many advantages:

• complements the recreation area or replaces it in small rooms;
• allows you to use space more rationally;
• replaces part of the cabinets, thanks to the storage compartments;
• does not require a back, armrests (which greatly simplifies the creation of the structure).

In general, a sofa on a windowsill in an apartment allows you to arrange a cozy recreation area without unnecessary financial and time costs.

Windowsill sofas in the interior also have disadvantages:

• can cover batteries (solved by installing special screens);
• change the perspective of the room (bring the wall with the window closer to the opposite one);
• make it difficult to approach the windows for washing.

The photo shows a low ottoman under the window in a child’s room

Another relative disadvantage is the impossibility of hanging standard curtains from floor to ceiling. There are several ways out of this situation:

1. Do not close the windows at all. Relevant for northern regions, where there is little sunlight.
2. Cover with curtains on the frames themselves. Blinds or roller blinds on the inside of the window are compact and do their job perfectly.
3. Cover with curtains that open from the bottom up. Roman, French, roller blinds, installed on the outside of the opening.
4. Cover with short curtains. A suitable method for the kitchen.

The photo shows a design with a grill for the battery

How does it look in the design of rooms?

A window with a sofa instead of a windowsill is relevant in any room. It is made both in children’s rooms, living rooms and even kitchens.

Children’s room

The arrangement of the window sill of the sofa in the children’s room is often combined with a storage or study area. To do this, two tall cabinets are placed on the sides of the window (in one of which you can organize a desk), and in the center they leave space for a low sofa area.

Important! When arranging a sofa window sill, be sure to take care of thermal insulation: double-glazed windows should not let in cold air from the street.

The photo shows the window decoration in the nursery

Any child will like a seat on the window sill: it is comfortable to read books, play a console, and relax between homework.

If the window is wide enough, you can turn the sofa into a sleeping place for the child’s friends who sometimes stay overnight. To equip an additional place to sleep, you will probably have to increase the width of the window sill, put an orthopedic mattress on it.

Living room

Equipping the window sill of a sofa in the living room may not replace a full-fledged sofa, but it will become a comfortable space, dearly loved by every member of the family.

Turn this corner of your home into something special: For example, place books on the shelves under the windowsill sofa, put a floor lamp next to them, put a couple of pillows on the base of the windowsill. You will get a cozy reading space, in which everyone will definitely want to spend a couple of hours with their favorite book. Agree, this option is much better than a regular window sill?

The photo shows a low structure under the window sill in the living room

Bedroom

The importance of creating recreation areas in the bedroom is underestimated: many people think that a bed will be enough. But if you spend a lot of time at home or sometimes need privacy, a windowsill in the form of a sofa in the bedroom will not be superfluous.

The photo shows a recreation area in the bedroom

You can make a built-in seat across the entire width of the room, or put wardrobes with clothes on either side of the window, and arrange a seat with soft pillows between them. Adjust the surrounding environment to your habits.

To do this, initially decide what exactly you are going to do on your window sill sofa: read, work with a laptop, admire the view with a cup of tea or a glass of wine. In the first case, you need a lamp, in the second – a socket, in the third – a small table.

The photo shows a room with panoramic windows

Kitchen

Sofas in window sills are rarely made in kitchens, although they can save space no worse than a bar table or a work area by the window.

If the basis for creating a sofa is an ordinary window opening, the seat can even be built into the furniture set. It will be comfortable to relax on it while cooking, read recipes.

The photo shows a soft corner in the dining area

If you are the lucky owner of a bay window, it makes sense to make a sofa for lunches and dinners out of the window sill, placing a round table next to it. Bay windows are good for their shape – they have a natural rounding, thanks to which the sofa will exactly repeat the shape of the table.

The photo shows the design of the bay window

Balcony

The manufacture of window sills for sofas on the balcony differs in one important parameter: adjoining the room. In the case of a loggia attached to the room, the window sill in the design differs from the standard only in size (balcony windows are larger than ordinary room windows). Its functional purpose depends on the room it adjoins.

The photo shows a combined balcony with a room

If you need to place a window with a sofa instead of a window sill on a separate loggia, you can resort to tricks. For example, create spacious storage drawers inside the wooden frame. Or take up the entire width, so that if necessary, a wide sofa window sill could replace a guest bed.

Important! The balcony must be insulated so that it can be used at any time of the year, in any weather.

Attic

In a private house there are more options for placing a window sill sofa. For example, an attic. The windows are in the roof, so there are usually no window sills — but if you make an unusual design right under the window, you will always have enough light for reading or other hobbies.

The photo shows a minimalist guest room

It happens that the window opening is located in the wall, between two slopes — this is also a good place for a bed. The sloping walls will serve as backs, and beautiful views can open up from the height.

The last option is a window in the wall under the slope. Due to the small height, it is inconvenient to stand or sit in this place, but lying on a comfortable couch is just right.

Check out some more interesting ideas on how to use a window sill in an apartment.

The photo shows a study with a library in the attic

How to do it yourself?

You can make a comfortable sofa in place of the window sill yourself. A detailed list of tools, a step-by-step plan can be found below.

Tools and materials

First of all, you should decide what exactly you will make the structure from. An MDF sofa on a window sill will not cost much and will last quite a long time. At the same time, MDF, unlike chipboard, does not emit harmful substances, is absolutely safe – suitable even for children’s rooms.

The most environmentally friendly way is to use wood. Pine, for example, can be found in any hardware store, it is absolutely inexpensive. In addition, with the help of stain, paint or oil, you can visually give it any desired shade. The only caveat is that natural wood will have to be treated against rotting and parasite infestation.

The easiest option is plastic. It is easy to cut, does not get moldy, and does not require special care.

In addition to the materials themselves, you will also need:

• pencil, ruler;
• tape measure;
• jigsaw or hand saw with a suitable blade;
• building level;
• mounting foam;
• sealant;
• brackets or corners (depending on the width of the future seat).

Step-by-step instructions

1. Before installation, be sure to make calculations: if the old window sill is dismantled during repairs, then add 4-5 cm to the width between the slopes, and 2 cm to the depth. These parts will be hidden under the frame, the sides of the opening. If the installed plate holds tightly, the size must be selected strictly according to the dimensions of the niche – it is better to entrust the right to measure to a person with an excellent eye.

Important! The new window sill is installed using foam – this will help to avoid problems with sealing in the future.

2. To create a hanging sofa, the second step will be to install brackets – they allow you to expand the base for a more comfortable seat. The “lid” is placed on top, foamed in places where it adjoins the window, and treated with sealant. All that remains is to put the cushions: done!

3. If you plan to make comfortable shelves or drawers at the bottom, you will have to assemble a wooden frame. The base can be placed directly on it, or the support can be reinforced with metal brackets for reliability.

4. When the frame is assembled, it should be equipped with doors (if you plan to open them for storage), make external cladding (with plasterboard or other materials), decorate. Put a plate on top, fix it.

Important! Check the tilt level – there should be none! Otherwise, pillows, blankets, and other items will simply roll off the surface.

Video

Do you have a low wide window? Ennoble it with a comfortable wooden bench. You can sit on it, and if you put a mattress on top, you can rest lying down.

In a child’s room or study, the window opening can be ennobled with two column cabinets with a comfortable wide sofa between them. How to make all the elements with your own hands, watch the video:

Unusual ideas in the interior

Not all options for window sill sofas are the same: everything depends on the initial data and imagination. For example, in Khrushchev-era buildings or other houses with high windows, it makes sense to make a couple of steps to the seat: they can also be used as drawers for additional pillows, blankets, books.

If the opening is wide enough (more than 1.5 meters), then you can equip a two-tier system: a seat just below, and an extension for the window sill at window level. It is convenient to put flowers or decorative accessories on such a table. In a child’s room, a high tabletop can be used as a desk base, with a chair underneath.

It is not necessary to cover the radiator completely, it is enough to put the seat base on top, adding a couple of supports. And leave an empty space underneath: an open radiator will easily give off heat, warming the room.