I have a quick and easy tutorial for you today that will save you loads of money if you’re after an upholstered window seat (or bench seat) without the price tag. This little nook might just be the space I miss the most from our River House, which we recently moved out of.
I’m slightly obsessed with window seats and have to have one in my life. But the cost of paying an upholsterer to make a custom cushion for such a large area is very expensive. So this time around, I decided to have a go at it myself. I was surprised how easy it was!
First, I measured up the area. Then I had my local hardware store cut a lightweight piece of thin ply to size. I had a piece of foam cut to size as well. I chose a 3-inch thick, medium density foam from Clark Rubber. If the area will get a lot of use, high density foam would be most durable over the long term.
I checked that everything fitted snugly – perfect!
I purchased a length of heavyweight canvas-style fabric, ironed it, and cut it to size, allowing a generous margin at each side for folding. I then placed my foam and board face-down on the fabric.
Folding over the edges to keep the fabric looking neat, I brought up one side and stapled it into place using a staple gun. I started in the center, then did the opposite side in the center, pulling the fabric taut. I continued down one side, pulling the fabric sideways as I went so it remained taut down the length of the board from one staple to the next.
With one side stapled firmly, it was time to tackle the corner. It was a similar process to wrapping a present. I brought the fabric up on the diagonal to make a corner fold, and held this in place with one hand while tucking the excess fabric on the floor snug against the width of the foam and board.
With the first corner fold stapled into place, I then brought up the triangle of fabric on the floor and made a second diagonal corner fold.
Here’s the second corner fold stapled into place.
Continuing to pull the fabric taut, I repeated this process for the opposite corner.
I then continued stapling down the length of the board on the opposite side, this time pulling the fabric firm across the width of the board – but not so tightly that the edges of the foam became rounded. Two final corners, and then it was done!
I held my breath and flipped it over, hoping for a smooth, wrinkle-free surface. Perfect!
The upholstered seat cushion slotted into place like it had always been there. With the cushion snug against the walls, the corner folds are invisible.
I added some cushions to complete this cosy nook, which is in our kids’ playroom.
Having a seat cushion transformed this corner of the room. It instantly became an inviting, cheerful space where the kids loved to curl up with a book. I also loved sitting there to watch them play…. something I miss for sure in our new house!
You can see some more photos of our playroom in this post, including the DIY gallery wall I made for our kids’ artworks.
Oh my I’ve been looking for something like this! Is this fairly heavy with the board on the bottom?
It’s not too heavy, Carolyn. I chose a thin piece of lightweight ply for that reason. The bench seat underneath the upholstered cushion lifts up to access storage space underneath, and I’m still able to easily lift the gas-lift lid with the cushion on top. xo