Window sill below the tabletop, what to do

Modern window sills are not only the completion of the window block design, but also the most important element of the interior. It is enough to look through the catalogs of numerous companies that supply classic and avant-garde window sills: mirror and onyx window sills; equipped with lighting, window sill boards with built-in rail supports for mobile tables; sets of furniture transformers “under the window” and much more. There is a noticeable expansion in the functionality of modern window sills, which is practical and beautiful - both in small apartments and in spacious rooms.

Interior solution for kitchen window sill

As a rule, they resort to arranging a window sill when there is not enough space in the kitchen . In large kitchens, you can also expand the space if you use the window sill correctly: place household appliances on it, equip a seating area, or plant a mini-garden. But still, most often the window sill is turned into a full-fledged dining table or workspace.

Advice. When planning the window sill, do not forget that the window must be opened and washed periodically. Access to the doors must be free, easy and safe.

Wide window sill

A window sill as a dining table in a small kitchen is an excellent solution to expand the space . Indeed, in this case, there is no need to install a full-fledged table, which takes up a lot of space. At the same time, there is no need to be afraid that the table will turn out to be very small, because the tabletop can be extended, expanded to the required size, or even added a folding part.

True, the window sill turning into a table is suitable only for small families who love cozy romantic breakfasts and dinners by the window. If there are 3 or more people in the family, and you like to have family dinners, most likely, this option will not suit you.

Low window sill

A low window sill cannot act as a work area or dining table . A window sill that is lower than the tabletop cannot be turned into a comfortable place for dining. And when used as a surface for kitchen utensils, the low window sill, due to its location, will look cluttered and untidy.

Therefore, a natural question arises: how to beat a low window sill in the kitchen? The best option is to arrange a relaxation area on it , where family members can sit with a cup of cocoa, discuss the past day, or even read a book.

To do this, the window sill is reinforced with durable material . For example, a wooden tabletop that can support heavy weight is suitable. To make it soft and insulating, it is covered with pillows, a mattress or a blanket.

To slightly expand the seating area, but not reduce the kitchen space, the window sill is extended deeper into the room , and storage space is organized under it.

Flush with the wall

Designers try to cover a small window sill flush with the wall in the kitchen with a curtain , since its functional load is usually minimal. But still, a narrow window sill is not the final verdict. If desired, it can be expanded by organizing the same work area or dining table here using the built-in kitchen countertop. The only condition is that you will need additional support in the form of legs. Chrome tubes or furniture legs are suitable for this.

If expansion of the window sill is not planned, it can still have functional significance . For example, they grow greens on it, which are then used in cooking, or they put an organizer for small, rarely used kitchen utensils.

Living room ideas

By installing a tabletop on the window sill in the bedroom, the latter can be turned into a headboard with a shelf. It can also serve as a cabinet or chest of drawers. If you place a fireplace under it in the living room, the atmosphere will become more comfortable and cozy. Both of these options are possible if there is no heating radiator under the window.
In an office or children's rooms, a window sill-tabletop will serve as a desktop on which you can place computers or organize a school place for doing homework. Moreover, a table in such a place is a very rational arrangement. So, it is in this place that there will be an abundance of natural light.
A tabletop on a window sill in an office will look very organic if you place shelves or racks on both sides of the window.

Kitchen window sill as an additional work area

A window sill as an additional tabletop is the most successful option . Its height in standard houses is at the same level as the work area (approximately 90 cm), so implementing such an idea is not difficult.

There are several advantages to this:

natural light from the window;
quick release of cooking odors through the open window;
expansion of space and space in the kitchen;
aesthetics (cooking dinner is much more pleasant while looking out the window).

When installing a kitchen set with a window sill-countertop, it is advisable to take into account all the nuances so that such a solution does not spoil the appearance of the room:

A tabletop near a window requires a specific material. Natural or artificial stone (granite, marble) is more suitable than others: it is resistant to moisture and temperature changes (cold from the window, heat from the radiator).
It is better to make the surface matte so that drops, stains, dust and scratches are not so noticeable in the light from the window.
It is advisable to make window slopes from strong, easy-to-clean materials, since the work area involves constant contamination and daily cleaning.
If you decide to expand the window sill, for reliability, install additional support points (legs) for it. This will help avoid cracks in the countertop and deformation of the window frame.

There are times when the window sill is slightly lower than the tabletop . This is not a problem, the main thing is to specify and discuss in detail the issue of mounting with the craftsmen. Make sure they know how to properly raise the level of the window sill to the level of the kitchen countertop, and that they won’t ruin anything in the process.

Advice. Sometimes they even install a sink in the window sill-countertop. This is technically more difficult, but quite doable.

How to install: install correctly and secure with your own hands

Countertops made from different materials are installed differently.

Large tiles visually reduce the size of the countertop-window sill.

Installing a countertop decorated with ceramic tiles or porcelain stoneware:

first you need to think about what dimensions of the tabletop are needed: the tabletop should be deep enough, but not excessively, otherwise it will be inconvenient to get objects right next to the window if necessary, wipe the table and open the doors;
you need to make a base for the tabletop: it can rest on cabinets or legs; if you don’t have skills in making furniture, it’s better to order cabinets from a workshop;
install the cabinets, aligning them plane with the window sill and vertically;
then make a base for the tabletop: this can be a piece of moisture-resistant plywood of sufficient thickness; the base of the appropriate shape is cut out according to the drawing of the tabletop;
if there are batteries under the window sill, then slots are made in the tabletop blank;
the finished tabletop must be secured to the windowsill;
then they are created from ceramic tiles or porcelain stoneware; tile adhesive is taken thicker than for wall cladding;
the glue is evenly distributed over the surface of the base, for this you can use a regular grater, then the tiles are laid so that the gaps remain minimal;
a grille is installed on the hole above the radiator;
the tiles are cleaned, the seams are rubbed;
a ceramic corner or molding is installed at the ends of the tabletop;
ceramic or silicone plinth is glued to the walls and window openings.

Installing a stone countertop:

a stone slab is ordered according to a ready-made drawing;
the wider the support, the better; it must be installed in such a way that the tabletop fits tightly to it;
if necessary, the stone can be filed and sharpened with a diamond tool;
the dimensions are measured so that the joints of the plates are least noticeable; during installation, they are filled with a sealer; for this, the edges of both slabs are smeared with a sealer mixed with a hardener in a ratio of 1:2; the slabs quickly move because this composition hardens within two minutes; after hardening, the seam is polished so that it becomes practically invisible;
cabinets that will serve as a support are leveled and secured using clamps and screws, and a rack for accessories is installed;
Cement is applied to the window sill, the tabletop is laid in it, and how tightly it fits both on the window sill and on the cabinets is checked.

Grout is not as resistant to temperature and mechanical influences as tiles.

Tabletop window sill in the room, watch the video with ideas:

Pitfalls that you will have to face if you combine them in the kitchen

When installing a countertop, you need to take into account several nuances.

The tabletop is attached under the window frame. Condensation that forms on the window can flow down, and the end attached to the window sill will constantly get wet. The tabletop must be made of a waterproof material, for example, glass or stone, or the outer end must be waterproofed. You can install an additional ventilation valve on plastic windows; companies that install double-glazed windows have this option.

Once the countertop is installed, opening the window will become much more difficult. Therefore, the window sashes are fixed in the “ventilation” position, so as not to remove the dishes from the table every time you need to open the frame.

The window sill may not have the desired height: it may be higher or lower. The problem is easier to solve if the window sill is higher: then you can combine it with the bar counter by placing chairs of the required height. If the window sill is low, you can build a multi-level table on its base.

Using a niche under the window sill

As mentioned above, to save space in the kitchen when expanding the window sill, the space under it can be used as a storage system for kitchen utensils . This method is suitable if you arrange a seating area near the window or organize an extension of the work surface. If the window sill is used as a dining tabletop, it is better to leave the niche under it free so that it is comfortable to sit.

Advice. In Khrushchev-era apartments, a radiator is installed in a niche - this insulates the kitchen.

How to build a cabinet

The most convenient way is to measure a niche and order it from a specialist or assemble a cabinet with shelves and doors with your own hands, which is subsequently mounted in a niche under the window . This is exactly what those “winter refrigerators” did in the Khrushchev kitchens. In Soviet times, these were wooden cabinets with a thick frame, which took up a lot of space due to their massiveness.

Today, such box-cabinets are made with a more reasonable approach - using insulation and thin material to leave more space inside. The outside of the cabinet itself is decorated in a modern style.

How the cabinet is installed:

Remove the old frame and clean the wall from dust and construction debris.
The surface under the window is completely primed.
Measure the niche, leaving a gap for the insulation.
Insulate the opening in the wall with isofol, pinotex or polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam.
Build in a ready-made cabinet.
Hang the doors.

Modern designers use plywood as a material for cabinets under the window sill . The material is budget-friendly, but at the same time can stylishly fit into the interior decor without taking up much free space.

Another option is to use a plastic frame . It can be ordered at the same place where PVC windows are made (at the same time, the craftsmen will also help with choosing a design). Although this method will be more expensive, it will be many times more durable than wood.

Refrigerator under the windowsill

Another option for using the space under the window is to install a refrigerator . Returning to the Khrushchev buildings, let us remember that the niche under the window served as natural cooling, but only for 5-6 months a year.

Related article: Dill on the windowsill growing from seeds

This niche is still used today as a winter refrigerator . It is enough just to refresh its external and internal appearance a little. But in order to store food under the window all year round, you need to organize a real modern refrigerator.

But keep in mind that building a refrigerator into a niche under a window is not a very convenient solution . There won't be much space there, and you'll have to constantly bend over for groceries. In addition, in such a refrigerator there is no overall picture; the products will not be visible to you. There is a possibility that you will simply forget about the products that have fallen deep into such a refrigerator, and they will disappear. Therefore, you should resort to this option only in the most extreme cases.

Natural or artificial stone?

The stone is not cheap, but it is a very beautiful and durable base option.

Artificial parts are not inferior in parameters to their natural counterparts, can easily withstand cleaning, and are not afraid of water or hot objects.

Natural products will require more constant care, since, for example, marble easily absorbs spilled moisture and is quickly scratched when cleaning with abrasives.

Marble base

By itself, any stone is quite cold, so if you plan to use it as a base for a sofa or bed, it is necessary to ensure the maximum level of insulation.

Granite base

Artificial products clearly win against this background; in addition, you can pour liquid stone with the addition of granite or marble chips. Although it costs more, the end result is better.

Example of a self-leveling stone

The installation of stone slabs is never accompanied by foaming, since construction foam is not able to cope with the imposed load. It is also likely to cause harm, since the foam will penetrate into the stone pores, destroying the element from the inside. It is better to choose polyurethane-based glue.

Home and Garden

Stylish and comfortable home

How to do it right: 5 ways to decorate a window sill in the kitchen

In the fight for quality of life, all means are good. Even abandoning the standard window sill.

A window sill in a small kitchen is like a bike path for a motorist in a traffic jam. In ordinary life and in a spacious kitchen, it has every right to be empty, but in a tiny one, every centimeter counts. How to use a window sill in the kitchen? What nuances may arise when “reorienting” the window sill? And what non-standard ideas for refurbishment of a window sill exist?

1. Window sill in the kitchen as a work area

How to make a countertop instead of a window sill in the kitchen depends on the renovation budget and the dimensions of the kitchen. Let's start with the last one.

The standard height of the set (and its tabletop) is 85 cm. But sometimes it is made higher due to height-adjustable legs and an enlarged base. The correct height of the working area is 15 cm from the bent elbow. Please keep this in mind when ordering your kitchen.

So, if the height of the window sill is approximately equal to the height of the table top plus or minus a couple of centimeters, we simply continue the working area along the window. The battery at the bottom can be left open.

Advice:

Consider the width of the slopes when choosing the countertop that you plan to install instead of the window sill. And pay special attention to their material.

It is important that the tabletop does not get wet from condensation on the window; the end must be protected from moisture penetration. But if the wall is “wet” and also freezes, do not use a chipboard tabletop as a window sill. Better take an artificial stone.

If the window sill is higher than the table top

In this case, the “riser” between the upper and lower countertops is usually decorated with tiles or covered with a plinth, depending on the design of the kitchen. They make a wide window sill from the same material as the tabletop and use it as an additional shelf.

If the window sill is left in its original form, it is cut to the width of the slope. In the example in the photo, the height difference was used to insert ventilation grilles to circulate warm air from the radiators.

If the window sill is lower than the tabletop

The most obvious thing is to block part of the window opening with bricks and order a smaller window. But this solution is only suitable for a private home. If the building is multi-apartment, you will break the law by changing the architectural appearance of the building.

Of course, if the kitchen window opens onto a glazed balcony, changes in the facade will be invisible. But in any case, it will not be easy to agree on such changes, which means that in the future there may be problems with updating the registration certificate and selling the apartment. In addition, you will worsen the insolation of the room.

The simplest option from a technical point of view is to build a kitchen line on top of the window sill, leaving 10-15 cm so that the window sash can be opened for ventilation. The “groove” between the kitchen furniture and the window glass can be filled with potted plants. This may not be the most ergonomic option, but it is the most economical. You won’t have to change the double-glazed windows or make tricks with the furniture. However, in this case the window will not open completely. This will make it difficult to wash and will worsen fire safety.

If you were going to change the windows anyway, you can order a double-glazed window with a horizontal impost (frame element) at the level of the tabletop. The window will look like this photo, only the horizontal lintel and the edge of the countertop will match. Part of the glazing will be under the tabletop. If you have cabinets there, that’s okay, but you can also organize open shelves with natural lighting.

The advantages of this solution are that you do not interfere with the facade, the window opens, there are no cracks. The downside is that the amount of sunlight decreases.

Finally, you can play up the height difference, as was done in the project in the photo. The work area by the window is lowered to the level of the window sill. It’s not too inconvenient to cook there, but it’s quite possible to arrange storage areas and some kitchen appliances. At what height the microwave, toaster and kettle are located is not so important, but they take up a lot of space. The height difference is played up by the colored tabletop.

In this project, only part of the work area with a sink and cabinets was organized near the window. The other part was combined with the stove and taken out to the island (or you could simply put it in a line to the opposite wall). Since the surfaces do not meet, the height difference is invisible. Of course, placing the sink far from the stove is not very ergonomic, but in this case the distance is small.

What to do with the battery

A full-fledged countertop instead of a window sill in the kitchen also means arranging cabinets underneath it. In this case, you need to figure out what to do with the battery. It is not recommended to close it - it is harmful to nearby furniture, and also affects the temperature in the kitchen.

Free air circulation is necessary around the battery. This means that you need to provide holes in the countertop, base and/or doors. Cold air should flow to the battery, and warm air should rise calmly. The window sill-countertop in the kitchen from the photo has a convection grille.

Advice:

if pipes and batteries remain visible, you don’t have to hide or move them, but, on the contrary, highlight them with color and make them an accent detail.

A popular option for solving the problem with a battery is lattice or louvered doors that do not interfere with air exchange. However, keep in mind that even a half-closed radiator will heat the kitchen worse. If you have trouble with heating, consider moving the radiator to another wall, an additional radiator or heated floor.

Formally, moving a battery is an operation that requires a design and even a thermal calculation. In fact, if you do not change the number of sections, the consent of the management company will be sufficient. Without it, nothing can be done anyway - they will have to turn off the riser and drain the water. Therefore, batteries are usually changed in the summer. Do not move the battery to an adjacent loggia - this is prohibited. Moving the battery from under the window automatically implies insulation of the window sill block. Especially if there is a refrigerator cabinet there.

Related article: How to grow strawberries at home on a windowsill

The photo shows another window sill-countertop in a small kitchen, where the problem of distributing warm air is elegantly solved. Plywood facades with large perforations cover the storage area and do not interfere with air circulation.

Resting-place

A sofa and a mini-table are practical and convenient.

Low, wide window sills easily turn into mini-sofas. You just need to add a soft mattress, pillows, a blanket or a faux fur blanket and you can relax while sipping hot coffee and admiring the scenery outside the window. On such a windowsill it is convenient to read books or work on a laptop: during the day there is good natural light, and in the evening a specially built-in backlight will help out.

Instead of a window sill, the owners built in a sofa and a small table.

General rules for remodeling a window sill-table top and practical tips

The main condition for arranging a window sill-tabletop of any configuration is that air must circulate freely around the radiator.

The heat from the battery should freely rise up to the window, and the cold air from the window should fall down. Otherwise, the kitchen will become cold and damp and, what is even more dangerous, the kitchen windows will begin to constantly fog up. If the latter happens, then the window slopes, and then the kitchen walls, will become covered with mold.

What to do? If you plan to use the tabletop-window sill as a table or cabinet with open shelves, then for normal air exchange it is enough to make several holes in it or build in a ventilation grille as shown in these photo examples.

1. Keep in mind that a window sill-countertop and, especially, a cabinet built above the radiator (even with lattice doors) will worsen the heating of the kitchen (by 2-3 degrees). You can compensate for heat loss by installing an additional radiator or underfloor heating system. In addition, the battery from under the window sill can be moved to another location along the same wall or to an adjacent wall. Relocating a radiator ideally requires an agreed design and thermal calculation, but in practice the consent of the building management company is often sufficient. And one more nuance - since moving/replacing the battery requires turning off the riser and draining the water, this should be done during the non-heating season.
To avoid the formation of mold on window slopes, do not forget to treat them with an antiseptic primer. And so that the slopes can be frequently cleaned from accidental stains and splashes, they should be painted with moisture-resistant paint.
Under no circumstances should you install a stove on a windowsill-tabletop. Firstly, this is prohibited by sanitary and building codes, and secondly, it is simply impractical, because oil splashes during cooking will certainly end up on the windows.
When planning to leave the battery under the windowsill-countertop in plain sight, it is highly advisable to cover it with a decorative screen and paint it in a bright color or to match the wall. However, sometimes it is enough to replace a large and outdated radiator with a more compact and modern one.

Due to the proximity of the window and the connection to the external wall, the window sill-tabletop must be made of super-wear-resistant material. The ideal option is artificial stone, which is not afraid of moisture or cooking and, moreover, allows you to create a seamless surface. If the outer wall of the kitchen freezes and leaks, the windows are prone to fogging, and mold once “bloomed” in the room, then you should play it safe and choose artificial stone for arranging the window sill-countertop.

No matter how you arrange the space under the window, it should be well lit. For this you can use wall sconces or pendant lamps. If the window sill-tabletop serves as a bar counter, then the pendant lamp can be hung at a height of 70 cm from its surface. Lamps above the work area can hang higher, the main thing is to place them directly above or in front of the work place, and not behind it (otherwise the person standing behind the tabletop will simply block the light from the lamp with his back).

The most practical way to decorate a window above a tabletop window sill is with cassette roller blinds attached directly to the sash. Also, all types of short curtains are suitable for window decoration: Roman blinds, standard roller blinds, horizontal blinds, cafe curtains or classic curtains.

Sometimes, to get the most out of a kitchenette, you need a window sill-countertop with an irregularly shaped canopy. So, for example, it can narrow in an area of high traffic (say, near the refrigerator) and expand where there is more space.

It is also very good when the corners of the window sill tabletop are not sharp, but rounded.

When arranging a working window sill-countertop, it may become a problem to find a built-in dishwasher of a suitable height, because... Most PMM models are designed for a height of the lower tier of the kitchen of 82 cm.

If the window sill has very wide slopes, then it is advisable to make its new countertop (and the cabinets and possibly the sink that go with it) narrower. After all, if you add up the depth of a wide window sill with the depth of a standard 60-centimeter tabletop, the distance from the window to the edge of the table is too large.

Advantages

Creating such a structure in an apartment gives the lucky owner a number of advantages. 1.

Good lighting of the workplace.
It will be convenient for schoolchildren and students to prepare for classes here. Children will be very happy to turn the window-sill table in the nursery into a play area. Sewing lovers will appreciate the new opportunities for creativity. 2.
The location of the battery will add comfort in the cold season.
3.
Performing such actions, for example, when washing windows, becomes more convenient and safe.
4.
Additional space is freed up, which is especially important for small-sized dwellings.

Window sill-tabletop as a work surface (without sink)

Converting a window sill into a countertop allows you to increase the work surface with minimal clutter in the kitchen, making it possible to cook under pleasant daylight and with a view out the window. Also, the window sill-tabletop offers a bonus - the ability to use it as a bar table or equip the underframe with additional storage space. However, the window sill work surface also has disadvantages:

Since most often a window sill-countertop involves combining it with a suite, the question arises - what to do if the height of the window sill and the kitchen floor cabinets do not match? Here are some solutions:

If the window sill is higher than the cabinets, then everything is simple: the kitchen countertop and cabinets are lined up under the window. In this case, the gap between the window sill and the tabletop is protected with the same material that is used to decorate the apron or is covered with a ventilation grille. In this case, the canopy of the window sill table top can be cut off, the window sill can be replaced with a panel to match the table top and used as a shelf.

If the difference between the window sill and the cabinets is small, then the kitchen furniture is adjusted to the window sill due to the base and legs, less often due to the height of the cabinets themselves and increasing the height of the floor. Here are some useful numbers:

The base has two sizes - 10 cm and 15 cm.
The height of the kitchen window sill in a city apartment can vary from 72 to 90 cm (excluding the countertop).
The standard thickness of a kitchen worktop (it must be taken into account when calculating the final height of the kitchen) is 4 cm or 2.5 cm (less often).
Ideally, the height of the working surface should be 15 cm lower than the bent elbow of the owner/hostess of the kitchen.

If the window sill is lower than the kitchen furniture, then converting it into a countertop is more difficult. The most radical method is the following: the window sill is increased to match the height of the furniture, and the window is installed smaller. However, this is only possible in a private house, and in a city apartment such interference with the load-bearing wall and facade of the building is prohibited. However, if the window faces the loggia, then it is theoretically possible to “raise” it legally. The second method: the size of the window opening does not change, but the design of the window changes - it is supplemented with a horizontal impost (an additional frame profile). As a result, the lower part turns out to be blank and is closed by the cabinet, while the shutters above the window sill open as usual. From the outside, the blind part of the window can be hidden behind a flower pot on the balcony.

Related article: How to properly install a window sill to a plastic window

The third and easiest way: the kitchen is simply installed on top of the window sill (see photo below), and the niche formed behind it is used to store household chemicals or indoor plants. Unfortunately, this solution is not ideal: you will no longer be able to open the window wide, the niche will not be so easy to clean, the insolation of the room will worsen, and from the point of view of fire safety, the idea is not very good. However, these inconveniences are not so critical.

Use furniture

An even more “flexible” solution for a traditional kitchen is to decorate the window space with a work surface.

Antique kitchen (Favreau Design)

So, for example, in this kitchen interior (Vermont, USA), the owners abandoned traditional cabinets, giving preference to more practical “chests”, the height of which is lower than the glass level. This solution provided additional storage space. No less successful would be the option of a table or cabinet on wheels.

Relaxation area (Starline Cabinets)

In the fight for quality of life, all means are good. Even abandoning the standard window sill

1. Window sill in the kitchen as a work area

How to make a countertop instead of a window sill in the kitchen depends on the renovation budget and the dimensions of the kitchen. Let's start with the last one.

Advice

: Consider the width of the slopes when choosing the countertop that you plan to install instead of the window sill. And pay special attention to their material.

If the window sill is higher than the table top

If the window sill is lower than the tabletop

The simplest option from a technical point of view is to build a kitchen line on top of the window sill, leaving 10 - 15 cm so that you can open the window sash for ventilation. The “groove” between the kitchen furniture and the window glass can be filled with potted plants. This may not be the most ergonomic option, but it is the most economical. You won’t have to change the double-glazed windows or make tricks with the furniture. However, in this case the window will not open completely. This will make it difficult to wash and will worsen fire safety.

The advantages of this solution are that you do not interfere with the facade, the window opens, there are no cracks. The downside is that the amount of sunlight decreases.

What to do with the battery

Advice:

if pipes and batteries remain visible, you don’t have to hide or move them, but, on the contrary, highlight them with color and make them an accent detail.

In the bedroom

In a small bedroom there is also a practical use for a window sill. It will make a wonderful dressing table, in favor of which you can put forward a strong argument: applying makeup is much more convenient in natural light.

We recommend reading:

Room for a 10 year old girl, interior design of a beautiful children's room for a girl
Room for a teenage boy: bedroom interior ideas in a modern style
Layout of a 3-room Khrushchev house: diagram, dimensions, height in a 5-story building

Of course, you can’t do without lamps, since you often have to take care of your face in the evening. Sometimes they are built into the side window slopes, and sometimes a table lamp with a rotating shade is used.

To create a dressing table, you need to replace the existing window sill with a wider one. A problem may arise with the installation of the mirror.

To prevent it from obscuring the window glass, it is mounted on one of the slopes using a mirror holder with a rotating mechanism.

Since regular fabric curtains can get in the way when applying makeup, roller blinds or Roman blinds are used instead.