Please give us a little more context: What room is this in, what else is in the room, and who uses it?

When you say you want something different do you mean you want something other than a bench?

Please post pics of the rest of the room. Also Also, what is the light source for this space at night?

Comfy chair and bookshelf? Play area for little kids? Study desk along a wall, with the window to its side?

If this is a bedroom a desk?

This is a spare bedroom to be used primarily as a guest bedroom. We did think about a desk. These are old pics before the paint and the floor. We will have a king size bed along the wall to the left of the window.

We need info and what exactly do you mean by different . IMO it will be tight for even a nice reading chair since you will need to have alamp. I think it would make a nice small office space with the desk faicng the window . Solar shades on the window and you get to keep the view

The light source is recessed lighting and a fan light. Also lamps on the night stands. There will be a wall tv on the wall under the stairs.

The comfy chair is a good idea but not sure the space is wide enough. I did think about plant shelves. Maybe something tiered. They’d get plenty of light. This room also gets pretty hot in the summer. We ordered an energy efficient blackout shade/combo opaque shade. Many owners have had to add window AC’s. I’m hoping to avoid that.

Small desk and chair. Can be used as a makeup vanity as well.

Looks like the window is too low for a desk.

I like the reading chair idea rather than a built-in to keep it a flexible space.

There is a difference between what looks nice and what will actually be used. Your dormer looks so narrow, I imagine the bench wouldn't be very wide and might not actually be used. See the second pic below. Pretty, not practical. A narrow desk on the otherhand seems more practical. Nice place to sit and check email on a laptop or even counterspace to place things.

What is the width and depth of your nook?

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Since this is a guest room, I like the idea to have a multi use area, that would give guests(especially longer term guests:) the option to retire in the privacy of their quarters when needed.

This could be a reading nook/extra storage/coffee nook/laptop work area.

You can avoid the built ins. Start with a comfy 5 ft bench that can be a storage bench as well

Then layer a small footprint cafe round table with one or two skinny chairs.

Here is some inspiration:

If you cannot wire in lighting you can use a plug in or battery operated wall mounted sconce/lamp

It should invite the guests into the nook ... perhaps with the promise of looking out the window (to see a view? check the weather?), so a simple curtain that can easily hook to one side. A bench along the wall would be a welcome place to sit and put on shoes, etc. Interesting would be a table top hinged to the opposite wall, so that a person could sit on the bench and work at the desk, or leave the table folded down for maximum walking space.

Don't forget interesting artwork!

These are some good ideas. I'm going to put a storage bench to the right of the nook area. It's just big enough to sit and put on your shoes and not hit your head. Also there is a recessed light in the nook area, so plenty of light. I have a dual blackout/opaque shade that can go either direction in any combination.

Well Houzz deleted my picture. On the left, I'm thinking a dresser. The right, a storage bench. The lamp that is to the left is long gone. I like the idea of a little bistro set. Outside this room is a loft with a coffee and fridge area. So a guest can take their coffee in the room and sit by the window. That might work. The space isn't that big - at only 5 feet wide, I don't have room for much without it looking too crowded.

How a bout a nice coffee bar . My guests love the coffee spot in our guest room

I’d have a built-in seating area with extra storage for sheets and other linens.

Your dimensions of this space? It appears too small for anything but a built in drawer/window seat.

You may be right. It’s 5 feet wide. I could make it long enough where the window seat could be used almost like a bed. It’s pretty deep. I want to say 6 feet

If I did do a window seat what would I put inside the right nook? maybe a seating area? But I wouldn’t want it sticking out too much. The coffee idea would work but I already have that in the loft outside this room. I could put a low dresser

I’d wait on that. It’s a small area, wait and see after everything else is in the room — see how much room is left and if you need (or don’t need) anything else.

The nook is 61” wide, 72” deep and the window is 27” off the floor.

I would try to add a small table and chair to the nook area. When I am a guest, I like sitting in my room with a cup of coffee at a table, being able to look outside. Also, I like Putting on make up at a table that has a place to sit.

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That might work. I may not have room for 2 chairs but a chair and a small table might work.

I like the bench-and-storage idea the best. Practical for you to put the guest room linens in and fun for guests to sit on and read a book or make a call.

A small antique dresser with drawers can also be practical for you and your guests.

Should I run the bench under the window or along the wall?

Under the window is my vote.

I also think that under the window is the best place for the bench especially that it's nice and wide with 60 + inches.

I agree, I think a window seat is the best.

Option 1:

I could add a table but I also want enough room to walk around the table. I'm liking this idea - if a standard bench is 18" across - then two benches = 36". That leaves me 24" for a bistro table - is that enough room to sit on either side without having to move the table? Also the window is only 27" high - a standard table is about 30" or so - so the table would be ablve the window line - might take away from the window.

My other option is a deep bench. I'm thinking maybe 2 -3 feet deep? Originally I was wanting something more outside the box but with the window that low, I'm not sure I want anything that will be above the window.

Option 2:

And option 3 would be a 5" wide bench that is 2 feet deep with storage below.