How to Build a Window Seat With Storage

Choose an area for your window seat that is not too cluttered and can be a nice place to relax. Measure the height between the window and the floor, and the width of the window.

Purchase sheets of wood for your measurements. You will only need five sheets. The first piece of wood will be the front part of the window seat. It fits the length of the window's bottom, but is 6 inches lower than the bottom. The smallest two pieces are the sides of the window seat, which are the same height as the first piece but will only be about half the length. The next piece is for the lid to the storage space. It will be as long as the bottom of the window, with the same width as the two smallest pieces. The last piece is for the bottom of the window seat and will be the same measurement as the top piece.

Mark the measurements on the wall. If you have molding where the wall meets the floor, use the hand saw to cut off the section of molding where the window seat will go so you can fit it firmly against the wall.

Screw the two side pieces into the bottom piece of wood, using the screwdriver up through the bottom piece into the bottom of the other two.

Screw the front piece of wood to the front edge of the bottom piece, overlapping the pieces of wood. Next, use the screwdriver the secure the front piece to the two side pieces. After it's completed, it should resemble a box with three sides.

Take the last piece of wood, and, starting at the edge of the wood, use the saw to cut a square. Make sure the square is large enough for adult arms to reach in and out of, and leave a sufficient amount of wood on either of the square's sides and back.

Attach the hinges to the back part of the open square in the window seat's top using the screwdriver. Attach the rest of the hinge parts to the wooden square you cut out. Attach the square back to the top of the window seat to create a "dog door" effect.

Place the window seat box firmly against the wall under the window and use for storage. If the window seat wobbles or will not stay stable, add a third sheet of wood to the back of the window seat box, just as you added the front piece of wood. Replace it against the wall, and use the screwdriver to secure the back piece of wood through to the wall under the window.

Add a window seat cushion if desired to create a more comfortable environment.