20 Window Seat Ideas for Your Living Room With Pretty Cushions and Book Storage

Explore 20 window seat ideas with built-in bookshelves, drawer storage, colorful cushions and pretty reading corners. Find inspiration for bay windows, narrow nooks and long living room benches.

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20 Window Seat Ideas for Your Living Room With Pretty Cushions and Book Storage

Looking for window seat ideas living room corners can make room for? Think pale cushions, bookshelves within reach and a few pillows in your favorite colors.

These spaces give you plenty to borrow, from a simple bench beneath the glass to a whole wall of built-in storage.

You can keep it simple or go all out. I especially love the little reading nooks with their own lamps.

A few ideas come from bedrooms or multipurpose rooms, but their colors and seating details are worth trying in your living room too.

Window Seats Worth Saving

cream cushions and tall cupboards

We’re starting off strong with this pretty cream window seat. I love the tall white cupboards on either side and the little patterned pillows against the shutters.

Keep your cushion pale if you want this same look. A small striped pillow in the middle is a cute finishing touch.

bay window with blue pillows

How gorgeous is this bay window? The dark blue pillows are my favorite part, especially with the gray seat cushion and white drawers underneath.

Try a pale throw over one side like this one. You don’t need to fill the entire bench with pillows.

dark shelves and an arched window

I am obsessed with this arched window. The dark shelves and matching drawers look so pretty around the pale seat, with gold-colored lights tucked into the nook.

Read also: 20 Master Bathroom Shower Ideas With Pretty Tile and Standout Details

If you’re gathering examples of window seat design living rooms could borrow, save this one for its mix of dark cabinetry and light cushions.

patterned pillows and round bolsters

This pillow combination may just be one of my favorites here. There are checks, narrow stripes and little repeating patterns, plus a round bolster at each end.

Try keeping your patterns in gray, brown and cream if you want a similar mix. The tiny framed pictures beside the window are worth borrowing too.

Read also: 20 Throw Blanket Decor Ideas for Your Living Room

rust cushions around the corner

Want your seat to continue around a corner? This one pairs rust-colored cushions with open cubbies full of books and baskets.

I love how the cushions follow the turn beneath the framed picture. For your own room, try repeating the seat color in a couple of square pillows.

drawers with little compartments

The storage fans are going to love this! Those open drawers reveal separate compartments for toys and small items underneath the long window seat.

Ask about drawer dividers if you’re planning something similar. Keep the top simple with a striped cushion and a few pale blue pillows.

a deep recess with side shelves

If you are looking for something simple but beautiful, this one is for you. A warm wood frame lines the deep window recess around a cream seat, with narrow bookshelves tucked into the left side.

The little reading lamp is such a lovely detail. I’d keep the pillows neutral here too.

long curtains and a reading chair

Don’t want your window seat to feel separate from the rest of the room? Try placing an armchair and small table beside it like this.

I love the long cream curtains framing the seat. The pale green pillow and pink flowers add just a little color.

leafy plants and green pillows

How cute is this plant-filled corner? The trailing greenery, green pillows and leafy print look so pretty together.

Even the shelves beside the window have little plants.

Read also: 20 Japandi Study Room Decor Ideas With Simple Desks and Pretty Details

Start with a green accent pillow if you want to borrow the color without adding quite so much greenery.

book cubbies under the seat

This is another lovely way to keep your books close. There are shelves on both sides of the window plus open compartments directly beneath the white cushion.

The pillows are gathered at one end rather than spread across the seat. I’d leave that same open space if you prefer fewer accessories.

black window frames and stripes

I love this black-and-white combination. The striped pillows pick up the dark window frames, while the brown bench edge stands out against the white horizontal paneling.

Two black wall lights sit above the window. Try a smaller striped pillow in the middle to follow the arrangement here.

sage green built-ins

I am obsessed with this sage green nook. The shelves, drawers and seat cushion all follow the same color, with little gold-colored knobs across the bottom.

If you want to go a step further, include a shelf above the window like this one. It gives the plants and framed picture their own little spot.

gray cushion and white lattice

Don’t want to add lots of color? No problem!

This seat pairs a dark gray tufted cushion with white lattice-front panels and matching gray pillows.

The large lamp on the sill is my favorite extra detail. Its dark shade looks so good beside the tall candles.

a window nook beside a desk

Need inspiration for a room that does more than one job? This space fits a window seat between bookshelves, with a desk continuing along the right wall.

The deep frame and gray shade are lovely details to borrow for a living room corner. There’s also a radiator beneath this seat, so a similar layout would need clearance planning.

Read also: 20 Modern Minimalist Open Concept Living Room Ideas to Inspire Your Space

plaid seat and mustard pillow

This little nook is so cute. I love the plaid seat with the black-and-white checked pillow, plus that small round mustard accent.

Keep the space underneath open if you like this bench-style look. An adjustable wall light would be a nice addition to your own reading corner.

blue stripes and tied curtains

Calling all blue-and-white fans! This bedroom window seat has plenty you could borrow for a living room, especially the striped cushion and white curtains with rope-style ties.

The navy pillow with the white branching motif is adorable. Try one patterned accent like that beside plain pale blue pillows.

Read also: 20 Coastal Preppy Room Decor Ideas With Stripes, Gingham and Seashells

a long bench with open shelves

If you have a long stretch of windows, take a look at this bench. Gray cushions cover the seating area, while the open cubbies underneath hold books.

I especially love the uncovered section at the left with the large leaning artwork. You don’t have to cushion every inch.

shaggy white layers

Don’t want to surround your window seat with built-ins? This long bench keeps things much simpler, with a shaggy white covering and a striped pillow.

The large floor cushions beside it are a fun extra touch. Try similar brown and cream stripes if you want to carry the pattern beyond the bench.

an arch with rust-colored pillows

How gorgeous is this tucked-away seat? I am in love with the rust-colored pillows and the patterned seat covering.

The trailing plants look so pretty around the arched window.

Two round pendant lights hang beside the shelves. Keep that detail on your wish list if you’re planning a nook with room for overhead lighting.

books above and beside the window

Last but definitely not least, we have this lovely cream reading nook. The books continue above the small window and down one side, leaving space for a shaded wall light.

I love the little striped pillow against the plain cushions. Two drawers underneath finish this understated setup.

Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.

And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍

Xoxo Isabella

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