How wide should a window seat be?

Width varies depending on the original architectural recess it was made to fill. Georgian townhouses often had narrow alcoves requiring benches just three feet across to sit neatly between the shutters. Country houses tend to feature much wider bays. You will occasionally find sprawling pieces over six feet long. These larger antique window seats were designed to span three sashes at once.

My living room has these really low modern windows that almost reach the floor, can I still use an antique window seat in front of them without it looking weird?

They work quite well against floor-to-ceiling glass. The lack of a backrest means they don't block the view outside. Your room will maintain a clean and functional silhouette. Just check the back rail of the seat first. You will want a piece that has polished show-wood on the reverse rather than raw upholstery tacks. This ensures the frame looks tidy when viewed from the garden or street.

Can you sit on the arms?

You really shouldn't. The raised scroll ends are only designed to take the weight of a resting elbow. Sitting on the highest point applies severe leverage. This can snap the internal dowels or open up the mortise.

I have an old bench with rolled ends that has horsehair poking out of the seat pad, should I leave the old fabric on there or just get the whole thing recovered in something new?

Getting it recovered is standard practice. Upholstery is a wearing part and very few pieces retain their original covers. A good upholsterer can save the historical horsehair stuffing while applying fresh top fabric. Make sure the restorer avoids modern staples on the show-wood. Traditional copper tacks are kinder to old timber frames.

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Antique Window Seats

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This is a low, backless bench featuring raised, upholstered ends, designed specifically to fit neatly inside a sash window recess without blocking the natural light.