How to Build Wall Units With Window Seats

Making Preparations

• 1

  Measure the length of the entire wall and decide on the lengths for the window seat and the wall units on either side. Measure from the floor to the ceiling for the height of your wall units and measure out from the wall to determine their depth.

• 2

  Record the measurements on a sheet of paper. Draw a simple sketch of your wall units and window seat using the measurements you just took.

• 3

  Cut six pieces of 2-by-4 hardwood using a table saw. Cut two pieces to the length of the entire wall and four pieces to the desired depth of the wall units and window seat, minus 4 inches.

• 4

  Slide one of the long 2-by-4s up against the wall and place the second long board parallel to it. Sandwich the shorter 2-by-4s between them. Place one short board between the ends of the longer boards on either side, and the remaining two to align the outside edge with the edge of the window seat.

• 5

  Locate the studs in the wall with a stud finder. Drive 3-inch wood screws through the board along the wall into the wall studs and additional screws through the front board into the cross braces. Secure the cross braces to the back board by toe-nailing 3-inch wood screws through the joint.

Framing the Wall Units

• 6

  Cut four sheets of 3/4-inch plywood to the length and depth measurements of your wall units using a table saw. These will serve as the top and bottom panels for your wall units. Using the depth measurement and the height measurement, minus 1 1/2 inches, cut four more sheets of 3/4-inch plywood for the side panels.

• 7

  Lay the bottom panels flat on top of the 2-by-4-inch hardwood frame you just constructed. The outside edge of each bottom panel should be flush with the outer walls. Drive nails from a nail gun through the plywood into the hardwood frame to secure it.

• 8

  Install the top panel for each wall unit. Hold it flat against the ceiling and drive nails through the panel into the ceiling studs. The back edge of the top panel should be flush with the wall.

• 9

  Sandwich the side panels between the ends of the top and bottom panels. The two outside panels should be flat against the walls at either end. Drive nails through the plywood into the wall studs to attach the side panels. Secure the other two side panels by driving nails at an angle through the plywood into the top and bottom panels.

• 10

  Mark the positions for the shelves. Cut pieces of 3/4-inch plywood using the length and depth measurements of the wall units, then slide them horizontally between the side panels. Drive nails through the side panels into the shelves and at a downward angle through the back of the shelves into the wall studs to attach the shelves.

Framing the Window Seat

• 11

  Cut two pieces of 2-by-4-inch hardwood to the length of your window seat. Cut two more pieces to the same width as the cross braces installed earlier. For the vertical supports, cut four pieces of 2-by-4-inch hardwood to the desired height of your window seat, minus 8 inches.

• 12

  Sandwich one of the longer pieces of hardwood between the wall units. The ends should be flush with the side panels, and the top edge should be at height you desire for the window seat. Attach the board by driving 3-inch wood screws through it into the wall studs.

• 13

  Install the two cross braces flush with the side panels of the wall units so the back ends are flush with the front of the long board you just installed. Drive 2 1/2-inch wood screws through the boards into the side panels.

• 14

  Position the second long piece of 2-by-4-inch hardwood parallel to the first so the edges are flush with the ends of the cross braces. Drive 3-inch wood screws through the front of the long board into the cross braces.

• 15

  Insert the vertical supports between the upper and lower frames of the window seat at each corner. The widest edge of the supports should be flush with the wall at the back. Drive 3-inch wood screws through these supports into the wall studs. Secure the front supports by driving 3-inch wood screws through the joints with the upper and lower frames.

• 16

  Cut sheets of 3/4-inch plywood to cover the window seat. Cut one sheet using the length and height measurements of the window seat. Cut a second sheet using the length and depth measurements.

• 17

  Lay the sheets of plywood flat against the hardwood frame. Secure the plywood by driving nails through the plywood into the hardwood frame.

• 18

  Fill all nail and screw holes with wood filler. Allow the filler to dry completely, then sand it smooth using fine-grain sandpaper.

• 19

  Paint or stain your wall units and window seat. If you choose to paint them, use interior-grade latex primer and paint.