Design for built-in bookshelves/window seat

5 years ago

This room is my boys’ living room/homework area. I want to have shelves built in around the window with a window seat under the window (and some storage under the window seat) I have to tell the contractor how I want it done and I thought I’d first post here to see if I can get a vision of how best to design it. Not sure if the shelves should all face out towards the room or in towards each other. The space to the right will be a little computer nook (building a shelf in between the two walls).
Also, should I paint all the walls one color or do an dark blue accent on the wall with the three little windows? There will be a seating/tv area where the ladder is and desks and a work table on other side of the room by the little windows. Thanks!

Featured Answer

mramsey

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

If the dormer is big enough I would do a built in bed & bookshelves for overnight sleepover guests rather than a window seat. Either way, make the storage drawers rather than a lift up lid and include a wall mounted reading light. And if it is to be a window seat, either slope the walls or have wedge shaped pillow to make it comfortable to sit in. Most kids love to curl up in a cosy little spot like this.

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/how-to-create-a-wonderfully-inviting-window-seat-stsetivw-vs~73993272

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Comments (17)

T S
Original Author
5 years ago
These pics might not be very helpful. I’ll try to get better ones!
acm
5 years ago
Also, measurements! Can't begin to guess what would be useful in an unknown amount of space!
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I was also thinking you could take a couple of the matching book sets you have (like the one on the bottom shelf to the far right) and put them on the top with decroative book ends. That would give you more space on the shelves to spread things out and add some decorative elements. Below the bench I would look for some baskets to use for the small thin childrens books or storage of non-book items. Also note in the photo that I posted above that one shelf has the books laying down with a clock on top. This is a nice break to the eye and adds alot in interest to the shelves. Not every book has to sit up and down.
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Thanks for your questions Sammy. Glad you have some experience in this arena. I like to support craftspeople in the USA, protect forests, and I have reactions to adhesives and off-gassing after going through chemo, so try to avoid composite or engineered. All of the rest of our furniture is antique and solid wood and I just like the heft and feel. The window corner is problematic as you noted, and there is a heat register in the corner behind the spindle chair near the window. The wall is 130" long. I'm thinking of having made three pieces that will be pushed together and centered on the wall totaling 106", leaving 12" on either side. It won't have a built in look necessarily but I think I am ok with that. It would also enable us to reuse the bookcases in different locations when we move into a condo in NYC sometime in the next 8 years. I saw this pic as inspiration for three separate units pushed together. This one is a total of 108". (It is way too ornate for my tastes.) Our floors are crooked - 165 year old house. So I'm concerned that with three together they will look wonky or uneven. What are your thoughts? Any other ideas on how to deal with the window corner?
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T S
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you! Yes drawers or cubbies instead of lift up, for sure. Great article/pics. I just jotted down measurements and will try to mock up a very amateur drawing soon
Irene Morresey
5 years ago
Yes agree a day bed under window, just some inspiration
T S
Original Author
5 years ago
Interesting idea about the bed. Here are some dimensions. Hope this is helpful
mramsey
5 years ago
So it looks like the dormer is 97 inches wide? Plenty of room for a kid sized bed. Standard twin is 39x75 and twin XL is 39x80.
T S
Original Author
5 years ago
Yes it’s actually plenty of room lengthwise and just the right width. It would be pretty low to the ground.
mramsey
5 years ago
Kids are generally pretty low to the ground themselves...
T S
Original Author
5 years ago
True. :D wasn’t saying it’s not doable just was commenting.
Any thoughts on how to create some storage around the bed? I wasn’t planning on putting up drywall or anything like that. Just bookcase/shelf storage somehow
felizlady
5 years ago
A study and homework area needs proper lighting more than any other detail. Once you think you have a plan for desks and all, make sure you have good lighting in each task area as well as general lighting. This will entail opening walls and adding outlets and switches. Be sure your existing electrical system is sufficient to carry the additional load. Boys will become big boys and then man-size people faster than you expect. Build for adult-sized people so the boys can grow into the space. Don't bother with "accent" walls. They won't care. Make the space utilitarian and comfortable.
T S
Original Author
5 years ago
Felizlady, thanks for the advice. The electrician was just there adding outlets. A fan/light will be installed as well as desk lamps and I will add other lamps in the work area as needed.
This was more of a playroom and now I’m transitioning it to be more conducive to older boys’ work space and hangout.
miss lindsey (She/Her)
5 years ago
To make it conducive to maturing boys, I would skip the window seat and just put two comfortable chairs there. I can assure you, most adolescent boys I know do not want to curl up with their buddies in a window seat. Maybe with their significant other...

They will probably be spending a lot of time on electronic devices both for homework and entertainment so a couple of good chairs that promote proper posture are going to give you the most long-term benefit, imo.

You could add a drop-down table surface to each side wall of the dormer, so they have a spot to set up a computer or set down a snack.
Irene Morresey
5 years ago
lindsey, lol they don't have to curl up together on the bed, it would be handy and just throw a mattress or whatever on floor for others. You would be surprised, they probably want to sit together on their iPads playing games if they are anything like my grandsons
miss lindsey (She/Her)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
"lindsey, lol they don't have to curl up together on the bed, it would be handy and just throw a mattress or whatever on floor for others."

=-D

I guess what I mean is, for everyday use two chairs are going to offer more versatility for the boys and their friends than a window seat or daybed will. Some kids like to be close; they can scoot their chairs together. But others like a bit of space and in that case a window seat isn't comfortable for two. Either they are lined up like on a backless bench (not comfortable and not conducive to good posture while using technology) or they are draped all over each other.

If they were much younger, in their toddler years, I'd say go for the daybed. But since this is transitioning to an older boys' hangout, chairs (or a small scale sofa) are just more versatile.
Irene Morresey
5 years ago
I was guessing that there was going to be extra setting in that room, re sofas, bean bags etc. the daybed was just more beneficial than a window seat. The area looks quite big.
T S
Original Author
5 years ago
Yes there will be a sofa and chair facing the tv. I really liked the idea of a daybed but it’s not going to work for us. The bed would take up the entire alcove and limit shelving. It would also make it very awkward to have the computer desk built in to the alcove right next to it. And lastly, it’s the first thing you see when you walk into the room and I know it will always be messy looking if it’s a bed rather than a bench. (My son has a daybed in his room...the minute friends are over and they are hanging out on it, its all messed up.)

Design for built-in bookshelves/window seat

mramsey

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Design for built-in bookshelves/window seat

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