DIY Bay Window Bench Seat: A Step-by-Step Guide with Built-In Storage

Materials

• Upper kitchen (refrigerator) cabinets
• Two-by-fours
• Primed trim board (1-inch-thick by 4-inch wide)
• Cushions for the top

• 8 2-1/4-inch trim-head screws (approx. 16 per cabinet)

• 16d nails (3-1/2-inch) (approx. 8 per 2×4)
• 1-1/2-inch finish nails (approx. 12 per trim board)
• 18 gauge brad nails (approx. 24 per trim board)
• Paint
• Wood filler

Tools

• Electric miter or circular saw
• Electric cordless drill
• Electric nailer
• Hammer
• Thin pry bar
• C-clamps
• Nail set
• Putty knife
• Painting tools

Measuring and Planning

1. Measure the width of the window bay from side to side, excluding baseboards and trim.
2. Determine the cabinet combination needed to fill the window bay width. For symmetry, use cabinets of the same widths.
3. If necessary, remove baseboards and other wall trim from the bay’s side walls.

Building the Base

1. Cut the two-by-fours for the base:
   • Base front and back: Two pieces of two-by-four, each cut to the length measured in Step 1.
   • Base sides: Two pieces of two-by-four, each cut to the width measured in Step 1 and each minus 3 inches.
   • Base center braces: One brace for each cabinet break. Each piece should be as long as the base sides.
2. Nail the bench base together with the 16d nails or a nail gun. Include a brace at every division point between cabinets.

Installing the Cabinet Combination

1. Rest the cabinets on a flat, level surface with the doors open or unattached.
2. Secure the cabinets temporarily with C-clamps.
3. From the inside of the cabinets, drive four #8 2-1/4-inch trim-head screws from cabinet to cabinet.
4. Cut the screws if any points have emerged on the other side of the cabinet.

Attaching the Base to the Cabinets

1. Cut one piece of one-by-four primed trim board to the length of the base front board.
2. If desired, cut two more pieces to wrap around the sides. Miter cut the boards at 45-degree angles for finished corners.
3. Nail the trim boards to the bench base’s front or the front and sides, as needed. Use an electric nailer with thin 18 gauge brad nails or 1-1/2-inch finish nails driven with a smooth-faced hammer. Set the nail heads slightly below the surface of the board.

Painting and Assembly

1. Fill nail holes with wood filler.
2. Paint the bench and any visible parts of the base with acrylic-latex paint.
3. Once the paint has dried, rest the bench combination on the base.
4. Secure the bench by driving four screws per cabinet down into the base.
5. Install the cabinet hardware on the bench’s doors.

Cushion Options

• Purchase or make cushions to fit the top of the bay window bench:
  • Long, narrow outdoor cushion for chaise loungers
  • Deep seating chair cushions in pairs or triples
  • Large, single outdoor loveseat cushion
  • Outdoor cushions reupholstered with softer fabric
  • No-sew DIY cushion made by adding 2- to 4-inch foam to plywood, then draping with muslin and stapling to the back
• Add throw pillows on the sides for extra comfort and a decorative touch.

Tips and Ideas

• Combine cabinets of different widths for an asymmetrical appearance.
• Combine dissimilar cabinets for a wider range of bench width choices.
• Prevent cushions from sliding with a non-slip pad or hook and loop anchor strips.
• Purchase 24-inch deep cabinets for a more generous seating depth.
• Paint the base trim dark gray or black to minimize its appearance.
• Create a floating bench illusion by cutting the base two inches narrower than the width of the cabinets (only if the cabinets have solid bottoms).

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a bay window bench also called? Window seat
• Can you put a bench in front of a bay window? Yes, but it’s important to avoid leaning against the glass for safety and comfort reasons.
• What furniture goes in a bay window? Oversized chair with a low back, armchairs with a small bistro table between them, or other furniture that emphasizes the view and natural light.