Just something to consider.. If this area is too cold for even plants, I'd imagine your house is loosing a lot of heat through here too. You might want to address the fact that this window probably needs to be replaced to better quality thermal windows first....
Then you can re-evaluate the style of the window and perhaps get shorter ones to allow you to put in a window seat, or longer ones to remove the step-up.
With the coldness, i am not sure what you want to do in this space as it wouldn't be comfortable enough for cushions or pillows as a place for the kids to lounge or read. I'd address the thermal issues first.

Hi Patrice Conradt, I would suggest keeping this area clear and having your furniture arranged around this bay window if there's no other focal points in the room. If you want you could put a pair of chairs or a small desk area for reading, but I agree that you should address the cold window first.

Can you explain the room's purpose? That would help with making suggestions. Also, do you have any budget for this? To make the best of it, i would spend some money to make it usable. I will post further if you can supply this info, thanks!

The window doesn't let cold air in. I just feel that being in Nebraska it probably isn't the best place for plants in the winter. This is my living room. We have a fireplace on the opposite wall and a TV and couch grouping. I am just confused with this area because of the 3 inch step up. The base around this window is probably only about 3 feet wide so just don't know what I can put there or if I should just put a piece of furniture infront of it. It is not cold in the room. The window is only 5 years old or so.

Are there any interesting art galleries in your town? Some different size art pottery or ceramics could go there. The step up might be the border you use to keep the kids away.

That is a possibility, although I do have several small grandchildren around a lot. I am wondering also about window furnishings. Any ideas?

A simple option is to use a table around the height of the horizontal bar, and display photos of your family (see link below), a tall silk flower display or other pretty objects.

http://parentables.howstuffworks.com/media/images/white_pedestal_table.jpg

Longer term it could be worth blocking up the lower panes and having a window seat/storage build in (see links below).





I would also consider using curtains/drapes, to soften the whole area - you could replace the existing vertical blinds i think they are? with nice panels either side (outside the bay), or have a bay window curtain pole installed around the inside of the bay, and have a panel at each section of window if you get what i mean.

Thanks for all your suggestions. You gave me some ideas to think about. If you have any other ideas or links to look at let me know.

I would turn it into a really nice doggy bed...if you have a dog. It may be too low for people to sit there but a dog would love lounging there and watching the scenery. I know my dogs would especially with it being that low.

I don't have any pets anymore, but the 1 year old grand-daughter loves hanging out there looking out the window, which is some of the issues I have with it trying to decide how to use the space.

Plants, tall plants in back. shorter in front in the bay window. They would love this area. Don't worry about it being cold in winter. In Europe, it's all the rage to have an indoor plant garden in areas like this. I would absolutely love this if it were in my home!!

Sounds like your grand daughter is the only one enjoying the space so why not dedicate it to her enjoyment for now and worry about doing something with it that you'll enjoy a little later? It looks like a great spot for a toddler's art/craft table, play kitchen or play nursery for her baby dolls. Let her have some fun with it for now. Just a thought.

Maybe you can grow things there with your granddaughter. I know my grandson loved planting things with me and watching them grow. You could even start a tree there and move it outdoors when it's old enough. When she's twenty-five she'll talk about how she and her grandmother started it from a little seedling!!!

These are all good ideas. I will put some thought into them. Thank you.

I agree, I'd add a sculpture, to give that area some interest, add some R-value window blinds (like hunterdouglas duettes), dress each end with soft drapery, add an area rug to the room to make it feel warmer, more cozy.

For now, buy 2 comfortable chairs (not too big) and a round table and enjoy the area for crafts, a cup, glass wine, chatting with a friend, talking on phone, reading paper, laptop work. Make sure the table is not too high for the chairs, a hanging lamp might be nice for extra lighting (not too fancy a hanging lamp).
I like the look of a banquette as someone said. Photo # 1 shows similar arrangement in a kitchen, but the seating area would be nice for a living room or family room, too. Having more comfortable chairs is a real plus, sit in chairs before you buy. Best to buy table & chairs first so you know how high the banquette seating should be, so often chairs are too low or too high for a table. Photo # 1

Banquettes also have some storage: Banquette storage

What a great space - that just needs some layers of warmth and color to make it more inviting. I'd suggest removing the current blinds on the outside of the window and instead putting in bay window curtain rails and hang individual curtain panels (so you don't block the view, but can close them for privacy when needed, or when it's too cold!). Then, layer a small (2x3) rug or two for softness. On one side, stack a couple of large floor cushions for your granddaughter. On the other side, either stack a collection of children's books and games (for easy access), or maybe find a very small antique chest or an inexpensive storage cube and put the books and games in that. Depending on your design preferences, you can use fabrics and colors that are more subdued or traditional, or go with something that's bright and lots of pattern. Finally, I'd add a large plant on the outside of the bay window in the corner (or add larger greenery, like ficus trees and such, on either side of the window for a little drama). When your granddaughter gets older, you can easily update the space - maybe with a small desk in front of it to take advantage of the view.

I would consider removing the 3" step up. It would make the space so much more usable.

all good suggestions. I too have found the 3 inch step up annoying. I plan on taking the blinds down for sure. I added some more pictures on the space. As you can see we use the one end for the TV area. It is awkward area because of the 2 entrances. One entrance out of room leads to kitchen area the other to entrance area and hallway. I just never knew how to arrange long living room. It is 12x20 with two entrances. The kids use it to run circles through both rooms so I have been trying to decide how to arrange. Any suggestions would be welcome. We are trying to buy new furnishings since the kids are all moved out, tho we do have young grandchildren around a lot. Thanks in advance for the ideas.

I love the idea of making a window seat here and allocating it as your granddaughter's special place. [it also looks like a little stage]She would never forget it!
That said, I grow lemon and lime trees in my windows in the winter and they actually provide flowers and fruit. They are really a joy.

If you can replace the windows. The new windows now-a-days are fantastic thermal savers. Also remove the lower panes and put in a window seat . You can use below the seat for storage and then get a really lovely patterned fabric so that you can use it for seating. Or you can create a door leading out to the patio if that is an option.

First definitely get thermal windows then put some draperies in and a round table with a rug under it and center piece. Then it becomes a focal point. I agree with Christine of creating a door leading out to the patio.

plants are OK unless they freeze. for now you could put a few hooks in the ceiling & get some nice big hanging plants to cheer up that area.

Thanks for your suggestion. I think I am going with your advice on this. It isn't cold by the window. It is a high quality window. I probably have always had the wrong plants there. More tropical. I am going with the pillows theme and will look into getting a custom 4 inch cushion. I will have many grandbabies in the near future so should probably just make it easy on myself because they seem to love the window. Your explanation of the step up to the window makes sense and helps me think of it differently. Thank you for your advice. I will go with this.

Take the window out and make that entire wall french doors going outside. Dont try to put something in there- that window is out of place for your living room.

I like the idea too for a 4" cushion!

These tutorials give suggestions on how to arrange living rooms around TV, and how to arrange long living rooms http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/query/tutorial-arrange-furniture-around-TV

If G'kids like running in circles, I say: let them. It's good exercise, and helps tire them out. I'd combine the running with school-like activities like count out-loud the number of times you run around or walk like a duck on this round and walk on your hands and knees next round etc. I absolutely love jayewo's post who suggested making it into a stage for the children and have little plays and sing songs and memorize poetry for an audience. Children run in circles and like to ham it up in front of adults and sometimes it gets annoying, but soon they are too "mature" to want to do this and we wish they were younger and running in circles again.

Plantation shutters, floor to ceiling, would work nicely.

a telescope?

how about a mini retreat? there is a page "create a mini retreat"...do a search on houzz or try this link: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/off-the-beaten-path-delightful-alcove-spaces-stsetivw-vs~594379?utm_campaign=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery10&w=398022

So, you could actually enclose it as a tiny separate place.
or - how about book cases 2/3 up windows so it is turned into a little library with Clerestory windows?
what a great design challenge!

I have thought about the bookcase idea. I will check out the link you suggested. It is a design challenge, I just wish I was a designer. I am not that talented on that subject.

it sounds really nice to make a reading corner, although remember that if you want to keep books without fading or drying, they need to be in minimal light. maybe a knitting area would be an idea. i'm sure you will figure it out :)