How to Frame a Window Seat

Measure the length and depth of the window nook that will frame your window seat. Determine the height for your window seat by placing the end of the measuring tape on the floor and measuring up the wall to the desired height.

Cut four pieces of 2-by-4-inch hardwood to the length of the window nook, using the jigsaw or table saw. Cut six pieces of 2-by-4-inch hardwood to the depth measurement minus 4 inches.

Remove any baseboard or trim from the bottom of the wall inside the window nook by prying it away from the wall with the curved side of a hammer or prybar. The window seat frame needs to be installed flush with the wall, so removing the baseboard is imperative.

Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall and make small pencil markings on the wall beneath the height of the window seat to indicate their placement.

Lay one of the longer 2-by-4-inch boards flat against the wall with the bottom flush against the floor. Secure the board to the wall by driving 3-inch wood screws through the wood into the studs beyond. Place another of the longer 2-by-4-inch pieces of lumber flush against the wall above the first with the top edge at the desired height of the window seat. Secure the board in place with 3-inch wood screws.

Place two of the shorter pieces of 2-by-4-inch lumber flat against the walls on either side of the window. The bottom of the boards should be flush with the floor, and the end should butt up against the front of the boards you just installed. Secure the boards in place by driving 3-inch wood screws through them into the studs.

Install two more of the shorter pieces of 2-by-4s above the first two, butting the ends up against the upper horizontal piece of lumber attached to the window wall. Secure the boards in place by driving 3-inch wood screws through the wall studs.

Measure and mark the center of the two longer 2-by-4s and install the final two shorter pieces centered on the mark. Position the shorter pieces of hardwood perpendicular to the longer pieces and secure in place by toenailing 3-inch wood screws into the longer pieces at the joint.

Lay the remaining long pieces of 2-by-4-inch hardwood parallel to the first, pressing the inside edge flat against the outside edge of the shorter pieces of 2-by-4. Secure the longer pieces in place by driving 3-inch wood screws through the front of the wood into the shorter pieces behind.

Cut sheets of 1/2-inch plywood to size to cover the top and front of the window seat frame. Install the plywood by laying it flat against the wooden frame and driving nails from a nail gun through the plywood into the pieces of 2-by-4-inch lumber behind.