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Furniture Design

How to Make a Sofa Bed on the Window Sill and Where to Put the Radiator

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Many apartment owners have faced the problem of masking radiators in their homes. We explain how to turn a bulky radiator into a cozy and functional relaxation area.

We have already told about designer Erin Kestenbaum in a step-by-step guide to creating a wardrobe room. This time the designer solves a new issue: how to hide unattractive radiators that spoil the interior of her home in Victorian style. Erin created not only a beautiful but also extremely functional zone: here you can warm up in the sunshine early spring or lie down with a favorite book on a cloudy autumn day. If the window width allows, you can even set up a full sleeping place for a guest staying overnight.

We explain how to create such a chill-out zone yourself.

For the first time, the designer converted the windowsill into a sleeping place on the veranda - it turned out very cozy!For the first time, the designer converted the windowsill into a sleeping place on the veranda - it turned out very cozy!Step 1. Prepare the WorkspacePhoto: in style , Entrance, Living Room, Bedroom, Wardrobe, Classical, Scandinavian, Modern, Eclectic, DIY, Office Space, Apartment, Studio, House, Architecture, Floor Plans, Decoration, Furniture and Lighting, White, Cottage, Red, Green, Beige, Blue, Turquoise, Eco, 1 Room, 2 Rooms, 3 Rooms, 4 or More, Up to 40 Square Meters, 40-60 Square Meters, 60-90 Square Meters, More Than 90 Square Meters, encyclopedia_black_renovation, encyclopedia_finish, encyclopedia_furniture, encyclopedia_decor, encyclopedia_interior, Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dessert, Main Course, Salad, First Course, Healthy Nutrition, Vegetarian, Paleo, Baking, Braising, Frying, Raw, Bakery, Drinks, Cake, Pasta, Pizza, Sandwich, Appetizers, Soup, Light Breakfast, Guests Arrived, Birthday, February 23, Christmas, Maslenitsa, Simple, Medium Difficulty, Difficult, Very Difficult, Gluten-Free Diet - photo on our website

First, remove the windowsill and prepare the workspace by freeing up space around the radiator.

Step 2. Build the Frame

First, decide on the size of the bench. Cut blocks of appropriate length, 10 cm wide and 5 cm thick. On the photos, the bench has an unusual shape; you can repeat it: then cut the blocks at an angle to form the lower base for the bench. Or make a rectangular bench.

Before attaching the vertical supports to the base, determine where the ventilation holes will be and ensure that the vertical supports won't interfere.

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Regarding the height, the most optimal for a windowsill is 48 cm. Considering the height of the cushion that will lie on the bench (about 5-7 cm) and the thickness of the wood at the top of the bench (about 2 cm), the vertical supports should be about 40 cm in height.

Attach the front frame to the floor using long nails.

On the back wall, install a solid wooden board and attach the front frame to it using 5x10 cm blocks of appropriate length. This will ensure strength and stability of the entire structure.

Photo: in style , Entrance, Living Room, Bedroom, Wardrobe, Classical, Scandinavian, Modern, Eclectic, DIY, Office Space, Apartment, Studio, House, Architecture, Floor Plans, Decoration, Furniture and Lighting, White, Cottage, Red, Green, Beige, Blue, Turquoise, Eco, 1 Room, 2 Rooms, 3 Rooms, 4 or More, Up to 40 Square Meters, 40-60 Square Meters, 60-90 Square Meters, More Than 90 Square Meters, encyclopedia_black_renovation, encyclopedia_finish, encyclopedia_furniture, encyclopedia_decor, encyclopedia_interior, Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dessert, Main Course, Salad, First Course, Healthy Nutrition, Vegetarian, Paleo, Baking, Braising, Frying, Raw, Bakery, Drinks, Cake, Pasta, Pizza, Sandwich, Appetizers, Soup, Light Breakfast, Guests Arrived, Birthday, February 23, Christmas, Maslenitsa, Simple, Medium Difficulty, Difficult, Very Difficult, Gluten-Free Diet - photo on our websiteStep 3. Cover the Frame with Gypsum Board

The most suitable material for covering in this case is gypsum board. Cheap and easy to use, it will create an illusion that the bench continues the wall. You can even use leftover gypsum board from previous renovations.

Cut pieces of gypsum board to size according to the front frame and attach them with screws for gypsum board.

You can hide protruding screw heads and defects on the gypsum board sheet with a thin layer of spackle. If your bench has the same shape as in the photo, don't forget to spackle the corner of the bench.

The easiest way to create the feeling of built-in furniture is to continue the base of the bench with the trim used in decorating the rest of the room.

Photo: in style , Entrance, Living Room, Bedroom, Wardrobe, Classical, Scandinavian, Modern, Eclectic, DIY, Office Space, Apartment, Studio, House, Architecture, Floor Plans, Decoration, Furniture and Lighting, White, Cottage, Red, Green, Beige, Blue, Turquoise, Eco, 1 Room, 2 Rooms, 3 Rooms, 4 or More, Up to 40 Square Meters, 40-60 Square Meters, 60-90 Square Meters, More Than 90 Square Meters, encyclopedia_black_renovation, encyclopedia_finish, encyclopedia_furniture, encyclopedia_decor, encyclopedia_interior, Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dessert, Main Course, Salad, First Course, Healthy Nutrition, Vegetarian, Paleo, Baking, Braising, Frying, Raw, Bakery, Drinks, Cake, Pasta, Pizza, Sandwich, Appetizers, Soup, Light Breakfast, Guests Arrived, Birthday, February 23, Christmas, Maslenitsa, Simple, Medium Difficulty, Difficult, Very Difficult, Gluten-Free Diet - photo on our websiteStep 4. Cut Ventilation Holes

To allow hot air from the radiator to circulate smoothly and prevent overheating of the structure, you must cut holes for ventilation grilles. Consider the width of the finishing trim you plan to use around the ventilation opening.

Don't forget to 'try on' the finishing trim before cutting the holes.Don't forget to 'try on' the finishing trim before cutting the holes.

Cut pieces of grille that will cover the ventilation openings slightly larger than the holes themselves. Attach them to the back side of the gypsum board base using a construction stapler. Ensure that the pattern alignment is consistent across all grilles.

Attach decorative trim around the ventilation openings using glue and/or finishing nails.

Photo: in style , Entrance, Living Room, Bedroom, Wardrobe, Classical, Scandinavian, Modern, Eclectic, DIY, Office Space, Apartment, Studio, House, Architecture, Floor Plans, Decoration, Furniture and Lighting, White, Cottage, Red, Green, Beige, Blue, Turquoise, Eco, 1 Room, 2 Rooms, 3 Rooms, 4 or More, Up to 40 Square Meters, 40-60 Square Meters, 60-90 Square Meters, More Than 90 Square Meters, encyclopedia_black_renovation, encyclopedia_finish, encyclopedia_furniture, encyclopedia_decor, encyclopedia_interior, Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dessert, Main Course, Salad, First Course, Healthy Nutrition, Vegetarian, Paleo, Baking, Braising, Frying, Raw, Bakery, Drinks, Cake, Pasta, Pizza, Sandwich, Appetizers, Soup, Light Breakfast, Guests Arrived, Birthday, February 23, Christmas, Maslenitsa, Simple, Medium Difficulty, Difficult, Very Difficult, Gluten-Free Diet - photo on our websiteStep 5. Make the Top Part of the Bench

For the top part, choose high-quality plywood at least 2 cm thick (to prevent the plywood from sagging under the weight of someone sitting on the bench). Cut it to size according to the supporting structure.

Ensure that the plywood is well-sanded and attach it to the supporting structure.

Step 6. Paint!

The most pleasant part finally begins. Apply two coats of primer before painting because gypsum board absorbs paint like a sponge. Choose the color of paint that matches the wall color. Don't forget to let each coat dry.

Photo: Wardrobe in Modern Style, Entrance, Living Room, Bedroom, Classical, Scandinavian, Eclectic, DIY, Office Space, Apartment, Studio, House, Architecture, Floor Plans, Decoration, Furniture and Lighting, White, Cottage, Red, Green, Beige, Blue, Turquoise, Eco, 1 Room, 2 Rooms, 3 Rooms, 4 or More, Up to 40 Square Meters, 40-60 Square Meters, 60-90 Square Meters, More Than 90 Square Meters, encyclopedia_black_renovation, encyclopedia_finish, encyclopedia_furniture, encyclopedia_decor, encyclopedia_interior, Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dessert, Main Course, Salad, First Course, Healthy Nutrition, Vegetarian, Paleo, Baking, Braising, Frying, Raw, Bakery, Drinks, Cake, Pasta, Pizza, Sandwich, Appetizers, Soup, Light Breakfast, Guests Arrived, Birthday, February 23, Christmas, Maslenitsa, Simple, Medium Difficulty, Difficult, Very Difficult, Gluten-Free Diet - photo on our websiteStep 7. Insulation

This step is optional, but if you don't want the seat of your bench to get too hot, you can lay flexible thermal insulation for heat dissipation through ventilation holes.

A beautiful bench that hides bulky radiators from view is ready.

Photo: Wardrobe in Modern Style, Entrance, Living Room, Bedroom, Classical, Scandinavian, Eclectic, DIY, Office Space, Apartment, Studio, House, Architecture, Floor Plans, Decoration, Furniture and Lighting, White, Cottage, Red, Green, Beige, Blue, Turquoise, Eco, 1 Room, 2 Rooms, 3 Rooms, 4 or More, Up to 40 Square Meters, 40-60 Square Meters, 60-90 Square Meters, More Than 90 Square Meters, encyclopedia_black_renovation, encyclopedia_finish, encyclopedia_furniture, encyclopedia_decor, encyclopedia_interior, Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dessert, Main Course, Salad, First Course, Healthy Nutrition, Vegetarian, Paleo, Baking, Braising, Frying, Raw, Bakery, Drinks, Cake, Pasta, Pizza, Sandwich, Appetizers, Soup, Light Breakfast, Guests Arrived, Birthday, February 23, Christmas, Maslenitsa, Simple, Medium Difficulty, Difficult, Very Difficult, Gluten-Free Diet - photo on our website