What would you do with this window area? (Photo)

[DayOfSummer]

We’re in the process of redecorating our living room. This window is such a lovely place to sit but I don’t want to stick a sofa in front of the window. I’d love a built in window seat but no idea if it would work as there’s no recess.

We previously had our TV in the corner blocking the smaller window to the left, I don’t want to do that again so thinking of putting the TV on the wall above the socket but there’s only a space of 1m15cm before you hit the fireplace. I don’t want the TV above the fireplace as it’ll be too high. We’re going to get a corner sofa to go along the wall where I’m talking the picture from.

By the way to the right it’s a door into the garden so the seating can’t go all the way up to that wall.

Also advice on blinds vs curtains would be very welcome!

TLDR What would you do with this area?

I was going to say a cosy chair in the corner and little side table under the small wi Dow for book or coffee -and not a low lounging chair but a sittyup type so you can look out -you can move it a bit depending on where you want to look or time of day.

We have a built in window seat under our large picture window and it's really uncomfortable to sit there even with cushioning. It was fun for toddlers to stand on though! I would get rid of it but it's been there so long dh is attached to it (remembering the toddlers using it as a flat surface for their toy cars)Tbh it is a bore because we have to keep the lid open for the radiator heat to circulate in winter.

Chairs and table much better idea

Chaise longue!

Weirdly I’ve just been looking at these and thinking that could look good! Ok I’m now thinking free standing furniture might be the way to go…

Chaise longue was my thinking too.

Although DH has just reminded me we also need more storage so that was the thinking behind a built in window seat. We’ll have comfy sofas to sit on and look out the window but the window seat is more somewhere to sit in the sun rather than look out.

Whilst the window seats look beautiful, they really do. They don't look comfortable to lounge on for a long time and take in the dual aspect view.

A CL, or something similar would allow you to do that as well as move it around if you wanted to change angle or use it when not looking out of the window. Disadvantage of course, its only really for one.

Cuddle chairs, or individual stressless are another way to go...but CC always look a bit bulky. They'd have the advantage of being nice and comfy ordinarily- especially in winter when its dark more often than not and curtains pulled.

I don’t think the window seating, it looks like a caravan. You have a great room! Use free standing furniture

@NamechangeGPreception Do you have to have fancy paid-for AI to do this?

No! Just standard ChatGPT.

I'd definitely go with freestanding furniture and not a built-in upholstered bench (however tempting the additional storage this would bring, might be!) as it would be uncomfortable imho.

We're going to have a vaguely similar set up in our living room (although our room will be just for reading/sewing etc as the TV is elsewhere) and are planning putting an armchair and small table in front of the end window. It will be angled slightly to take advantage of the garden view. Our two sofas will be opposite each other, one facing the larger window which is at right angles to the end window. There's no fireplace in our room so the wall where @DayOfSummer's fireplace/TV are has a huge bookcase.

Thanks so much for all your help so far. I’ve found a few pieces of furniture, any thoughts?

https://www.daals.co.uk/products/chantilly-whitewashed-carved-storage-bench
with matching corner TV unit perhaps?

Or this
https://www.cotswoldco.com/bedroom-furniture/blanket-boxes/stone-winged-blanket-box/

or this
https://www.dunelm.com/product/verona-upholstered-ottoman-bench-mustard-1000208609

thanks to the pp who pointed out the built in stuff looks like a caravan, I can’t unsee that now, it really does!

I don’t think any of them are substantial to sit on

you can get comfortable window seating but it has to be made wider with monster cushions

id go for a chaise lounge - depends if you like lying at that angle

Definitely not bookcases..unless the books are really neat they can look rather scruffy (IMHO!)

I agree with @Doggielovecharlotte - they're all too narrow imho so I wouldn't fancy sitting on any of them.

A chaise longue (traditional or more contemporary depending on your style) would be better for comfort, although obviously doesn't fulfil the storage brief.

What are you hoping to use the storage for @DayOfSummer ?

I agree about the books. I adore reading and have a massive bookshelf in my bedroom but it is very untidy and gets very dusty.

The storage would probably be for toys and games at the moment while the children are young, blankets and jigsaw puzzles when we get older!