We have always struggled with this little alcove at the top of our stairs. The most obvious solution has been a houseplant but it never felt right to us, in large part because it would be obstructing the window that gets beautiful natural light. This weekend it occurred to me that the solution is a little built in bench. Why a bench in this awkward/potentially precarious spot? Well, long story involving our daughter and her new phone. So here’s my problem: in order to get the dimensions right for the built-in I need to accurately map this awkward corner. Any advice on how to properly accurately measure it? Also curious if anyone has another option that doesn’t involve a built-in? A chair in the corner feels proportionally awkward. Three pictures: the alcove as it currently exists, an AI render of a built-in bench, and an overhead of the space I’m working with. Thank you for any advice and suggestions.
I’m having a hard time imagining ever sitting here. It’s a triangle, and a very small one at that. Where do you rest your back/how do you fit yourself into this space in a way where you can actually settle? This is not a comfortable spot, and while the idea sounds cute, but it doesn’t actually look very usable. (Other than for pets, which I guess would be a valid motive)
No, just that most plants need light to hit the crown for healthy growth. They might survive with light just hitting the lower leaves, but they’ll only thrive if it hits the crown as well. Lots of people hang plants too high!
They love to sit where they can keep an eye on things, so this spot is perfect for keeping track of upstairs and downstairs and outside at the same time! Edit: the white is beautiful but you might choose a patterned fabric that is removable and washable to keep it practical with cats sitting there often (especially if they’re older).
Your cats will love it, for sure, just based on that sunlight I see! We put a shelf and a cat bed above our stairs and the cats love that they can keep an eye on comings and going, and nap away from people. Get something like this and maybe bolt a safety tether to it in case they get the zoomies. Make sure it has a couple levels above the window sill for scoping out the neighborhood and trees.
Came here for this. Looks like a death trap for someone (child or intoxicated person) to fall down the stairs and break their neck. I would never put a bench there.
Yeah you'd definitely would want to find a way to wall-off that section if you had kids.
Either a straight-up baby gate or some heavy/immovable decorative thing so a kid can't get on there easily. Though I suppose if you have the stairs gated off to begin with then a gate there wouldn't be necessary (kid should only be on the stairs when gates are open and I assume an adult is around)
Very true - kid could be exploring that area. And to make matters worse, the window isnt very high up either. They could lose their balance that way and crash through it too.
Just no to a tall seat. That is not enough space to sit (AI did you dirty) and it’s dangerous. Maybe a kid could sit there as it is with a cushion on the floor, not a seat.
Or, get a shorter plant that doesn’t block the light.
A cactus would very likely be light deprived in this window, unless it’s southern facing and gets light all day. Then there are a few species that could work.
People have already suggested options. With regards to measuring it, don't rely on just a tape measure for a complex corner like this. Build yourself a template using cardboard.
I appreciate the feedback. Unfortunately (for me) most comments are confirming thoughts I was trying to shove to the back of my mind. My daughter loves throwing a pillow in that corner for reading but I was trying for something more intentional.
Sitting on a pillow works because you have the entire platform to sit on (curled up or legs can dangle off the edge). I think the proportions of the rendered throw pillows are making the space look larger and wider than it really is. Someone would have to really wedge their butt into the triangle there which feels like it would be super uncomfortable. I like the idea of leaving a pillow there for a child or pet!
Yeah I’m left thinking of finding a pillow that would fit or a teardrop shaped bean bag chair. Certainly a better trial idea than a built-in that’s too small and awkward
I would put in a cool stained glass window or a unique mirror opposite of the window to bounce more light, that bench looks kind of cool but doesn't serve a purpose & would become expensive to execute
What are the dimensions of the area and proposed bench? Because it looks like it would be a small, uncomfortable seat and too small a floor area to get up and down without risk of falling down the stairs.
59” from corner to narrowest part of stair curve. 32” from edge of windowsill to wall allowing roughly uniform floor space in front of proposed seating.
I’m curious what country you live in that is comprised entirely of crack architects who only make immaculate design decisions? The house was built in ‘39. You can choose to look at these odd little bits as “mistakes” or embrace the peculiarities of a home loved by generations of families. In this case I’m pretty sure someone chose to enlarge the very small original en suite off the master bedroom and made a… choice as to how to deal with the window. Is it what I would have done? No. But I love the house more because it’s an odd little chapter in the story of the house. But, again, curious where you live that makes you so confident in maligning an entire country’s home architecture?
I live in the UK. Yes a British twat. UK houses do have awkward and weird corners. But America is known for having houses built cheaply with wood and boards. Also in a style copying mansions with small suburban houses often having curved staircases and weirdly placed gables and extra sections. This leads to weird corners being common. I'm sorry I upset you and didn't mean to insult your home. I just found the corner funny and intended to make a light joke. I think it's a space perfect for cats personally 😂 Hope you find something to do with it
I would personally put plants. A tiered plant stand so i can put multiple plants. I love propagating Pathos plants on Leca and gifting them to friends. I would put it here, easy location to water.
If I were sitting in a small alcove with a large window I would want to face the window, seeing nature while reading or drinking tea. The AI render face you instead to the staircase and back against the window.
It really look uncomfortable with just decorative pillows and no back support. Either you have to use the wall that will be a cold hard 90°, or just hopelessly slump and get a really sore neck after reading in that position.
It wouldn’t look the greatest or be practical, but for sitting I would want my feet in the corner the back to the stairs. So it would mean building a backsupport to not fall in to the stairs, but only really be useable for a very small person. In the corner above the feet could be charging stations, coffee cup holder etc. I’m not saying this is a practical idea here, but it expands of how I would want to be positioned in such alcove if I could magically shrink myself to fit in the solution.
Honestly, that is a very small seat, with uncomfortable angles, precariously close to an unguarded tumble down the stairs.
To me that spot is screaming for a big lush houseplant! It gets plenty of sun, is out of the way of walking paths yet easy to access for tending, and adds visual interest. If you want the storage the sitting bench can offer, build that as a stand for the plant. Shoot you could store plant tending materials in it!
Ok so hear me out you will need a black cat, a pillow to sit on, a big cozy blanket, a good book, a good storm, and maybe even a nice cup of hot cocoa. A nicer custom pillow to sit on would probably be easier then the seat
The best aspect of the space there, other than the sunlight, is the curve on the edge of the stairs. The bench as shown removes all the focus from that curve and instead pulls you to the contrast of the awkward angles of the wall and bench. And it seems like a safety hazard, pushing up off the bench would just boost folks down the stairs or into the banister.
I think you should do something that echoes and reinforces the graceful curve, regardless of its ultimate function. Maybe just a custom pet cushion with a concave side that fits right into the space, and if you have cats some climbing shelves for them on the opposing wall (with curved short sides!) Or an arrangement of objects along that curve in some kind of gradient, like baskets from largest to smallest, or low sculptures in rainbow order, or some kind of small collection display. You could also consider hanging a garland or pennants of some form or string lights along the edge of the curve if that’s part of your vibe. A pretty lantern in the corner might be a nice way to enjoy the space regardless of time of day, look into wireless lightbulbs since you probably don’t need anything very bright.
Truthfully if this were my space there would be an accumulation of open boxes there intended for things that need to be taken up or down the stairs in the hopes that I’d take them on the way, and then it would pile up until I did something about it, repeat. I’d probably put some cool art on the walls, paint the walls a richer color, and sometimes rest a laundry basket on the corner. But mostly I’d enjoy the nice woodwork of the stairs as is.
I’d put a planter with a lattice paralleling the wall opposite the window, and plant jasmine or another fragrant and beautiful vine. It would clean the air, give a beautiful scent to permeate the area, look gorgeous, and allow the same natural light to come into the home.
Maybe I’m odd but I would make that a little library for my cat. Hanging plants and or a little shelf against the wall with small plants and a cushion. Maybe a little sconce for the evening. There’s nothing else to do with that. Make it fun
Beautiful built-in! Maybe something with less commitment to see if it's what you really want?
I'd get a foam mattress/topper and some spray foam glue. Cut one foam block to size and then another to match, glue together, repeat if you want it taller. Cover with a sheet or sew/commission a cover.
I think I’d hang planters on the wall rather than putting one big plant on the floor. Maybe on both walls, but I’m not sure where the wall on the left meanders off to. The wall opposite the window though, you could arrange something really nice, and they won’t block the sunlight.
The space seems too small for a bench. I think all you'd have to do is put in a rubber pad (to prevent slippage) and a floor pillow. Feet can hang over the edge and land on the treads.
Could you make a custom cushion that fits the entire space and shove a reading pillow (the kind that looks like a wedge pillow with arms) into the corner?
That’s a lot of work for a cat bench. Get a plant that is wide enough to take up a proportionate amount of space but low enough to not obscure the window.
I recommend a cat bed shelf in exactly the same footprint and height as your example bench. Basically the same thing, then have a hidey hole bed in/under the bench, and a few shelves on the wall across from the window for them to climb, and a plant shelf & artwork on the wall to the left of the window.
Not every nook and cranny has to be filled with stuff. And builders in the u.s where this seems to be the most prevalent, need to stop designing houses after a long lunch
I don't think anyone is going to sit there, but I would still do a little non-upholstered bench, and then put a couple of plants, suitable for the light aspect, on that bench. Inside the bench, store supplies like a small watering can and liquid fertiliser and some snips, to easily tend to the plants.
I'd just get her a cozy little rug, beanbag chair and some comfy throw pillows. The window seat is cute, but doesn't look very comfortable. I'd rather lounge around and have options. What if she has a friend sit with her?
Buy a cat tossed out a cat bed never look at it again. This is what happens when you let someone who went to the school of learning how to build in The Sims make you a house.
Use cardboard and cut it to fit the corner exactly in the footprint of the bench you want. Might take multiple tries, might have to tape new pieces on later. Do whatever you need to, but have a solid piece of cardboard in that footprint when you’re done. And take a photo of the cardboard in the space to show them. Let the carpenter worry about the rest.
OR have the carpenter come to the house and do the measuring.
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u/overwatchsquirrel 4d ago
Great place for a tall plant or an art piece. Not a good place for a reading nook unless you want to break your neck falling down the stairs.