Designers offer to expand the functionality of the room with the help of a window sill, which is turned into a sofa. It becomes not only a comfortable place to relax, but also an original interior detail. The structure saves space and makes good use of useful squares. There are several ways to design a bed that are used in residential premises.
Parameters of a sofa on the windowsill Source zlatamebel.ua
Features and Benefits
As a child, many people probably loved to climb onto a window sill covered with curtains, hiding there from everyone and watching the falling snow or driving cars. Of course, it’s not comfortable for adults to sit like that. It’s another matter if the window sill in the house is turned into a cozy sofa. All household members can afford to relax on an unusual bed - this is a good idea for creating such a place. More practical advantages of the design include:
- Increased functionality - a sofa made from a window sill will fit perfectly into any interior and will become its brightest and most stylish part. The space underneath can be used to store things that the owners rarely use.
- Practical and comfortable - you can read your favorite books on it, listen to music, watch movies on your laptop or just dream.
- Ability to withstand heavy loads - up to 90 kilograms or more.
- Durability - will stand until you get tired of it.
In the nursery and bedroom, a sofa placed on the windowsill will help create additional space for sleeping; in the living room, you can create a relaxation area or organize evening gatherings. And such furniture can become a favorite place for pets. It’s not difficult to make an unusual design in your home. To do this, you need to strengthen the window sill by increasing its width, put a mattress and a couple of pillows. When arranging the bed, the battery does not have to be moved to another place; it can be covered with a special screen.
Flowers that were on the windowsill should be moved to another place. For example, you can put them on hanging shelves or racks, or place them in hanging flowerpots on the wall.
Window seats for a great view: wide window sill on the balcony
If you are lucky enough to have a beautiful view outside your window, it would be a crime not to take advantage of it. Just take a look at some of these projects. The architects purposefully lowered them to take advantage of the stunning views outside.
The architects at Bark Design took it a step further with a corner window and matching space that opens the modern bedroom to the wild green jungle.
By the way, corner windows are becoming increasingly popular, especially in private homes located in beautiful natural places.
Which window sill is suitable for use as a sofa?
A stylish sofa on a windowsill can be made if the windows in the room are located at a distance of no more than 50-60 cm from the floor and have a width of at least 90 cm. If this rule is not followed, the bed will turn out to be too high, small and uncomfortable. The depth of the window opening is also important, but if necessary, it can be increased by erecting an additional structure made of plasterboard or installing the tabletop on special supports. Before placing the mattress on the base, it is very important to insulate the window openings to get rid of drafts. If the window is old, it should be replaced. Also, when creating a design, you should take into account the features of windows:
- Panoramic - do not have a window sill as such. Designers recommend choosing light sofas or seats and fixing them in the walls (slopes).
- Bay windows are best suited for creating a sofa area. The length of the seats is increased due to the oval shape, the recessed bench keeps the living space of the room as untouched as possible.
- Located in stairwells, such corners of the house are ideal for creating recreation areas. The design of the window sill-sofa should be kept as simple as possible.
- In the living room - if there is a bay window, the space can be expanded, covered with a mattress and a bright fluffy blanket, and decorated with voluminous pillows.
- In the kitchen, the windows fog up due to the steam coming from the stove. Therefore, it is better not to place a sofa here. Instead, you should think about creating a wooden bench for seating that fits into the overall concept of the interior.
An ordinary window sill can also be used to create a relaxation area. To turn it into a sofa, you need to install and strengthen a wide tabletop, then you can do the design. Another option is to remove the classic structure and build a podium in its place.
A sofa on the windowsill for children will not only look good, but will also serve as an additional place to sleep. Only the windows must be insulated so that in winter children do not catch a cold or get sick. You can also make an unusual bed on an insulated loggia or balcony. Created according to a special project, it will allow you to transfer these rooms from utility rooms to the most comfortable places in the house.
Redevelopment must be coordinated with the Housing Inspectorate.
In the living room In the stairwell In the kitchen
Panoramic window
Bay window
Things to remember
To prevent the sofa on the window from disrupting the heat circulation in the room, it is worth removing the radiator. The radiator is moved to a cooler wall, helping to save on heating costs.
Any redevelopment work in the apartment is carried out after obtaining permission from the management company.
Sofa on the windowsill without heating devices Source roomester.ru
If the device cannot be moved, then the pipe is covered with a special screen. A device with holes does not prevent warm air from entering the room. Models with decorative coating will help improve the appearance of old cast iron batteries. Designers recommend using radiator grilles made of wood or metal mesh in residential areas.
Sofa-window-sill with radiator screen Source pinterest.com Cozy area with Roman blinds Source bezkovrov.com Stylish interior Source bezkovrov.com
Manufacturing materials
You can make a sofa-window sill with your own hands if you have the material and the simplest tools in just a few hours. Armrests are attached to the slopes at the base of the window, and a mattress made of foam rubber or polyurethane foam is laid and attached to the surface. Then the resulting structure is decorated with textiles, leather or fur, a beautiful blanket and a couple of pillows are laid. If there is a window sill, but it is old, and there are fears that it will not support the weight of an adult, it needs to be dismantled, the base strengthened and a more durable structure installed.
The basis for creating a sofa on the windowsill can be made of different materials. Plastic is the simplest. It weighs little, does not need painting, is not subject to rotting, is not afraid of exposure to UV rays, and is easy to install. A sofa on a wooden base in window openings looks good, but requires additional treatment with wax or varnish for durability, and on a stone base it looks presentable, but can only be placed in spacious rooms and must be equipped with a thick mattress.
The algorithm for creating a base for a sofa depends on the material:
- Made from natural wood. Remove the old window sill and eliminate any debris that appears. Wipe the surface with a damp cloth. If necessary, level the slopes. Make calculations - the blank for the window sill-sofa should be 4 cm longer than the window opening. Its tilt angle is no more than 2 degrees. The width can be any. After taking measurements, the workpiece must be driven to the required size and then installed - best on pre-prepared spacers, secured with polyurethane foam or concrete mortar. Additionally, it is recommended to secure the wooden sheet with self-tapping screws. The joints of the window sill with the window and walls should be filled with acrylic or other sealant. After this, the base must be treated with stain, paint or an antiseptic to protect it from atmospheric influences.
- Made from high quality plastic. To make a plastic window sill for a sofa, you need to measure and cut the material using a special hacksaw, jigsaw or saw. It is better to work with glasses and gloves to prevent individual plastic particles from getting into your eyes. To fasten the installed base, you should use two-component polyurethane foam; it does not “expand” after hardening. It is recommended to place heavy objects on the surface of the window sill after installation. They need to be distributed evenly to prevent deformation of the base. After the foam has dried, the excess should be removed with a stationery knife.
- Made from natural or artificial stone. The installation process of the structure is similar to the previous ones. The only difference is that it is recommended to use special polyurethane adhesives instead of polyurethane foam.
If there is no window sill, you can use wood, MDF or laminated chipboard as the basis for creating a sofa. The base should be attached to the walls, having first checked their strength and installed special “corners” for reliability.
Made of wood
From stone
Made of plastic
How to embed
First, you need to clearly define what should happen in the end.
Next, all the necessary materials and tools are prepared.
Measurements and calculations are carried out, after which a drawing is drawn.
If the width is suitable for constructing a sofa, all that remains is to cover the radiator under it (if there is one) with a special screen and select a soft mattress.
Installing a frame for a window sill-sofa
Checking the level of the structure
Ready-made version of the window sill-sofa
If the window sill is too narrow, then you need to start constructing a frame or false wall, since the window sill can protrude beyond the window opening by no more than 10 cm. After this, the structure is strengthened and the assembly and equipment of the sofa area begins.
False window with imitation
You can make a sofa in an apartment from a real window sill only if the windows are located low enough. If there is no suitable opening, do not be upset. There is a way out of the situation: you can arrange a recreation area with a false window. It looks as organic as possible if it is located in a niche made of plasterboard. To create a structure, you need to cover the interior space with photo wallpaper or posters, attach a wooden frame, and move it slightly forward, if space allows. Design the slopes, make a wide base, put a mattress and pillows on it - ready. You can create a false window in other ways, see the table for more details.
| Creation method | Advantages | Stages of work |
| 3D imitation | It allows you to get rid of the feeling of a dead space, but it “eats up” the area of the apartment a little. | Choose a location, make a sketch of the window, and transfer it to the wall. You can choose a 3D window simulation. These images are usually printed on self-adhesive film, which is easily transferred to any surface. The top of the drawing should be covered with plexiglass. Attach a wooden frame. Cover it with stain or paint it with enamel. After drying, install the bench and arrange it. |
| Drawing | Such false windows expand the space, create coziness, and allow you to make use of an empty corner. | Instead of hanging a picture, you need to paint it directly on the wall. It is also worth drawing shutters, curtains, curtains. It is better to make a “real” window sill, wide, and install it on supports or columns. |
| Mirror | Allows you to visually expand the space and make it brighter. | Make a frame with a lattice simulating binding. Glue a mirror tile made of plexiglass or polystyrene inside the binding. Mount the structure on the wall. Place a sofa. |
It’s quite easy to make a sofa from a window sill in a nursery, living room or other room. It doesn’t matter whether the house has suitable windows or not. In the interior, a false window looks amazing, especially if it is illuminated.
Apartment interior design options
To make the room cozy and comfortable, all interior elements are made in the same style.
In Provence style In loft style Low window sills in the interior
Living room in eco-style
Balcony design in a marine style
It should complement the interior and therefore before installation you need to choose a suitable option. The corner option looks beautiful.
Photo
Bedroom
The lack of space in our homes makes it necessary to create ergonomic and functional spaces. The bedroom was no exception to the general rule. It has long ceased to be an area exclusively for sleeping. Here we work, do handicrafts, read, watch TV, put ourselves in order. It is necessary to think through the filling of this room so that every centimeter is put to good use. This also applies to the arrangement of window sills. With their help, you can select a full-fledged zone with special functionality. The wide surface is perfect for arranging a workplace or dressing table. The frame of the window opening can be a furniture structure.
Headboard
A wide window sill can successfully replace the head of a bed. This solution is an interesting alternative for those who like to sleep with their head towards the window. The window sill acts as a shelf on which lamps, photo frames, figurines and other accessories are conveniently placed. You can also put a book or phone here. Low shelves, chests of drawers or wardrobes placed on both sides of the bed will benefit from the composition.
Area for reading or crafts by the window
If you are used to solitude doing your favorite pastime, a well-equipped window sill area is perfect for this. Full natural light is a very important condition for comfortable reading and needlework. This allows you to avoid straining your eyes and maintain good vision. For sewing, embroidery, knitting, it is better to sit by the window. The window sill can be used as a sofa or table by placing the necessary materials and tools on it.
Cabinet location
If necessary, the window sill space can be converted into a full-fledged work desk. The depth of the tabletop for comfortable work should be at least 50 cm. It can easily accommodate a laptop or monitor, office equipment, and an organizer for office supplies. Under the protruding part of the surface you can fix a pull-out shelf for the keyboard. The height of the improvised desktop should be at least 75 cm. Good lighting and proximity to fresh air will increase efficiency and speed up the process. It is necessary to provide the window with thick curtains to protect against blinding sunlight. To work in the evening you will need good local lighting. The light from the central chandelier will create unnecessary shadows on the table. Shelving systems can be installed next to the desk to organize documents and office supplies.
When choosing the depth of the tabletop, it is necessary to provide free legroom.
Organization of the dressing table
Have you always dreamed of a dressing table, but don't want to take up precious space? Indeed, it is not worth wasting space on furniture that is used no more than 20 minutes a day. Both the mirror and organizers with cosmetics can be easily placed on the windowsill. Daylight will allow you to create high-quality and invisible makeup. If you need to work at the computer, cosmetics can be easily moved to another place.
Window sill-chest
The implementation of this idea will be a real salvation for a small bedroom. Just think how many things can be placed in such a storage system. In the drawers you can place bedding sets, place organizers for linen, hosiery, and knitwear. Some of the containers can be used for cosmetics, perfumes and jewelry. It is convenient to equip a safe in the chest of drawers and store important documents and valuables in it. There is a place for an iron, curling iron, hair dryer and other necessary equipment.
Installation stages
Window sill-sofa with sliding windows - ideal for relaxing in the warm season
First you need to measure the space in the opening. You need to add 2 cm to the resulting width dimensions - this is the distance the slab will go under the window. We add 5 cm to the length on each side: they will go under the window slopes.
When installing a regular window sill, it is taken into account that it can protrude beyond the plane of the opening by no more than 10 cm. When installing a sofa, the protrusion can be increased, but in this case it is necessary to strengthen the structure. Metal corners are used for this. However, remember that the edges of the surface should not be overloaded during operation so that they do not become deformed.
Installing a frame for a window sill-sofa
During the process it is necessary to check the level of the structure
Ready-made version of the window sill-sofa
Special pads are placed under the slab to avoid sagging and foamed. Foam is applied to the middle and edges of the product. Before using the foam, everything must be cleaned of dust and dirt. After checking the correct installation, the product is completely fixed. To ensure better adhesion, the surface must be moistened with water.
The installation of the base under the sofa must be controlled with a building level, because a large slope towards the room will not allow the mattress to stay on the surface. Since there will be no condensation from the window or water from watering flowers on such a surface, there is no need to make a slope for water drainage.
Installation of a wooden base
An excellent option would be fibreboard or chipboard. The cost is higher than that of plastic analogues, but the technical characteristics are much better. Excellent resistance to moisture.
Wooden base
On the other hand, during installation the edge is often damaged, you cannot install something hot, and a special tape is required. Any damage to the top layer results in rapid penetration of liquids followed by swelling.
From MDF
Also an environmentally friendly option is solid wood, which is a cut from a trunk with a single structure. Oak and ash blanks, which are often used in the construction of stairs, have a long service life.
Wood must be treated with special impregnations against the formation of mold and mildew, with the development of a moisture-proof film.
The negative aspects are the high cost, the requirement for grinding, impregnation with special agents, as well as the need to regularly renew the coating with varnish or wax.
