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Furniture Design Dilemma Kitchens

Bay Window Table or Bench Seating???

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

We have a bay window as pictured below. My wife really likes the idea of a bench seat around the window with some type of table. We are looking for some design ideas. Any ideas? Are there any online places that will design and ship?

Featured Answer

suezbell

4 years ago

Nice breakfast nook. Plenty of natural light and pleasant view, too.

Not a fan of bench seating at any table.

An octagon shaped table could be well suited, visually, for your bay window nook if it is really small; however, for a larger table, choose a round or oval table -- no sharp corners -- so no one gets gouged with a corner. With an oval shaped table, you can have table/seating beyond the immediate bay window space and seat more people.

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Comments (14)

PRO
RL Relocation LLC
4 years ago
Im confused as to why bar height seating makes any real difference for sitting in the morning, a bench is optimal here especially bc you can have storage under, and also even without a table its a nice cozy spot.
jlc668
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks I have updated my question. Just need ideas of options here. Really need to maximize seating
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Hi, again. Thanks for the encouragement and the things you suggested I give careful consideration too. The exterior windows weren't such a big issue, although that was an importing thing to consider - as rollie suggested - given that I was so focused on the interior. They look ok as is and the one window in the kitchen which might look a little better if it was 6 inches over (no window above) still might move a litte once the kitchen design is finalized. Upon closer inspection, I realized the drafter also made the upstairs bedroom 8 inches wider than I had asked. Not quite sure how I missed that before - probably just too fixated on the misplaced window seat. So, I'm just going to give six inches of that space to the adjoining master bath and laundry room both of which can use it. None of the windows have to move, and I know these aren't any type of supporting walls, so I'm just going to pencil these changes in myself. While it shouldn't be such a big deal, I'm so relieved to have sound a simple solution that won't necessitate a whole new set of drawings. Briosafarm, I too like symmetry and you're right in predicting I would have been bothered each time I looked at the sheetrocked room. Again, thanks. I'm sure I'll have more to run by you as we proceed.
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Has anyone made a window seat or bench seat cover?
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Yes you can make it sanborn. If you railroad the fabric, you'll need three yards. Fold the fabric length wise so that you have a 104 inch run then cut the width 42 to 44" inches wide (depending on the thickness of the foam you use) Upholstery fabric (that's I suggest you use) runs 54' wide, so you'll have about 10 to 12" x 108" left over for throw pillows. You can either use foam or stuffing. Turn you fabric inside out and sew along the back, turn you fabric to the right side and slip your foam in, if it's too loose, sew it tighter. Then sew one end and slip your foam in again. The other end you can pin tightly, then hand sew close. I did a cushion for my piano seat this way, and got a nice tight fit. Be use to pick out a fabric (pattern) that lends itself to railroading. Also you may have to glue together the foam cushion to get a 108" foot run. They sell foam adhesive in an spray can. Good luck, Joann
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This is beautiful... It looks even better than my dining room. I also have half round wall but windows from the bottom to the top of it as I wanted to install there Verano trench heaters, but they would not suit in here. But I love how light it is. Just wow :)
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Sophie - I disagree. I did not design this. I have no pretensions to being a designer and for many other aspects of the renovation we have indeed had formal plans drawn up. [I also know from experience that having an architect involved is far from a panacea .... but that's another story or stories]. For this room we knew we needed to replace the large leaky picture window and instead of replacing in kind we asked whether it would be possible and reasonable to build a window seat and what would be involved. We showed the contractor many pictures of window seats and shared the required dimension ranges (not exact dimensions) from various articles. He said a bay window would take care of it and no separate plans were required. I include the manufacturer's literature excerpt that says their Bay and Bow windows can be used as window seats. It seemed (and actually still seems) a reasonable solution. Projection Window Bay and Bow windows are like a piece of fine furniture for the façade of your home. These unique windows project from your home, creating additional space that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as a window seat or displaying meaningful trinkets. Our vinyl windows (typically double-hung or casement windows) are inserted into a solid frame to create this unique look that adds style to any home. Bay windows typically have three lites (one central fixed lite and two flanking operational lites) at 20-25-degree angles. Bow windows most commonly consist of four lites, all of which can be fixed or operational, set at 10-15 degree angles. The contractor asked us to describe what we wanted to the window vendor as well and we did. We never used the term bay window. We only talked in terms of window seat. The window vendor also did not dissuade us or suggest we needed an addition instead of a window. The window vendor spec'd the window we needed. Given that we have 8 foot ceilings - this would have been a really good place to catch that a 52" bay window wouldn't be long enough to provide a seat at a reasonable height off the floor. I think that's the key flaw here - plus someone's telling us that (unless I'm wrong) we weren't going to get the wood backing. Tomorrow should be interesting ...
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PRO
RL Relocation LLC
4 years ago
How many need to be seated, does the table have to go in this bay window?
jlc668
Original Author
4 years ago
table will have to fit within the the bay window. we are hoping for at least 6
erinsean
4 years ago
Very pretty area. I like the idea of a storage bench with upholstered seat. But not if you are going to have a table there also. It is so hard for anyone sitting on the bench to get out from around the table, if you have more than one person on the bench. I speak with experience and when one of the people has to leave the table, two other people have to stand up also to get out of the way. If you want a table there in the bay, I would just have individual chairs...especially if you need to seat six people.
Stacey
4 years ago
If that were my house, hire a carpenter or cabinet company to make custom built in bench , round table with two chairs.
wilson853
4 years ago
The 106" width is your limiting factor for finding a table that will seat six. You should have at least 36" on each side of the table to the wall. If you need to seat six, I would tape a 30" x 60" rectangle on the floor and see if it feels comfortable. A 36" round only seats four.

https://tablebases.com/blog/2017/05/how-many-guests-can-i-seat-at-my-table/
suezbell
4 years ago
Would NOT do tall table w/bar height seating for more than two. If you want to seat more than two, go with a traditional table height and, because this might be a tight squeeze for a lot of seats, you might want comfortable stools with casters. Added bonus: the seat likely would be easily changed getting you new seating w/o purchasing a totally new chair as your color taste change or w/normal wear and tear you decide you want new seats. With a metal frame, you can easily use RustOleum 2Xspray paint and spray the frame pretty much any color you want as well.

https://www.touchofclass.com/flare-back-powder-finish-vanity-chair/p/N300-001/?code=YMF01&color=Nickel&size=&tid=YMFPLA&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoJzV_8D_5gIVTMDICh1FxQMoEAQYBSABEgIXuPD_BwE
Olychick
4 years ago
Both of these would seat 5 with no one having to scoot into the back, but adding a 6th wouldn't be that difficult and would seat many more in a pinch.
PRO
Beth H. :
4 years ago
there are so many beautiful ideas. why not look up "bay window seating and table" ?

You will need a carpenter or cabinet guy to make these exact to your measurements. (just regular height, not pub height)

normally an oval table fits best. just depends
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
4 years ago
Well the one thing about inside bench seating, the middle person is kinda stuck there, and elbow room is important, perhaps plunk three chairs back there and see how it feels, Idk if you could get 6 but maybe 5..........
User
4 years ago
Bench seating is like being in the middle seat on an airplane. I don't know anyone who says: Wonderful! I got the middle seat!
suezbell
4 years ago
Ditto that, Lisa.

Also, never understood the fondness for sectionals. Sitting for extended times without an arm rest, especially if crowed up against someone else, is uncomfortable.

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