How to Build a Window Bench

Adding decorative and practical seating to any room can be a problem. A simple solution is to build a window bench that can provide both added dimension and seating to the room. Window benches are not difficult to build and take little planning. Make them to fit any size window and place multiple window benches in one room.

Step 1

Measure the space underneath the window where you are placing the window bench. Measure the width of the window, the width of the seating, and the height from the floor to the bottom of the window sill. Write these measurements down for reference.

Step 2

Measure the seating width from an end of one 2-by-4. Mark this measurement seven more times and cut your pieces. You should have eight short pieces. Set these aside.

Step 3

Take two 2-by-4 boards and lay them side by side with the 4-inch side facing up. Measure and mark the window width from the same end on both boards. Cut these boards and place them aside. These become the front and back of the frame.

Step 4

Measure, mark and cut three 2-by-4 sections equal to the seating width. Lay one piece at each end of the longer boards from above so the ends are flush with all pieces having the wide side facing up. Drill the framing screws into the ends to attach the boards. Slide a third short board into the middle of the frame between the two long boards. Drill screws into each end through the long boards.

Step 5

Repeat steps 3 and 4 to create a second frame. These two frames will be the top and bottom of the window bench.

Step 6

Choose one frame for the top. Take two more short boards and place these between the short ends and the middle support with the wide side facing up. This creates more support for the seating.

Step 7

Measure, mark and cut 10 2-by-4 sections equal to the height of the window bench minus 4 inches to compensate for the width of the two frames.

Step 8

Drill screws through a frame into the ends of each section you just cut. Keep the wide side facing out and flush with the outside edges of the frame. Place two sections on each short end of the frame. Place three sections along the front and rear of the frame. These will be the frame for the sides.

Step 9

Mount the top frame onto the assembly and drill it into place. Make sure the ends are flush when you secure the frame together.