Many housewives think that the window space could be presented from a more practical point of view. Most often, potted flowers or small household items are placed on the windowsill. Today, designers are offering an interesting solution - to make a countertop instead of a window sill in the kitchen. Thus, the space is transformed into a comfortable work surface or relaxation area.
A window sill-countertop is an excellent solution for the interior of a kitchen in a small apartment.
Kitchen design options with a countertop instead of a window sill (photo selection)
The easiest and most affordable option is a direct countertop under the window in the kitchen. This option is ideal for a small room. There are no limits to perfection, so you can safely add functionality to this piece of furniture, for example, with the help of such modifications:
- A work area that smoothly turns into a bar set. This design element is not entirely suitable for a kitchen with a small area. With its help, a U-shaped piece of furniture is created, dividing the space into several sections.
- Folding table. It allows you to expand the dining area for various meals, celebrations and feasts. At the same time, the housewife does not feel discomfort while preparing and serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Window sill in the kitchen, turning into a table. In most cases, this variation is placed along the wall where the window is located. This option is the easiest to implement, it does not take a lot of time and does not require significant financial expenditure.
Each type of modification will be discussed in more detail below. Therefore, each person will be able to choose the most optimal way for themselves to use the window space from a practical point of view.
Table or bar counter instead of a window sill
The dining table was replaced with a bar counter to save useful space in the small kitchen.
This solution is perfect for a family of two.
There can even be functional modules under the bar counter; the main thing is to make the correct overhang of the tabletop so that the furniture doors do not interfere with your feet.
The bar counter top is made of artificial stone.
U-shaped classic set with a dining area near the window.
Corner set with wooden texture of facades.
Advantages and disadvantages of window sill countertops
The window sill table in the kitchen has a number of advantages, especially for small rooms:
- rational and beneficial use of the entire kitchen space;
- high-quality natural lighting in the room;
- the ability to move the sink to the area under the window, which will save space for placing other electronic devices and kitchen utensils;
- additional storage space for small dishes under the windowsill instead of the radiator.
This design can look very stylish and unusual, and can also significantly save space in a small kitchen.
The only disadvantage is that to use the surface for other purposes, you will have to take into account a number of technical parameters. Installing a kitchen unit with a window sill requires special knowledge and skills during the work process, which are not always within the capabilities of apartment owners. Qualified construction teams will help realize all your interior design ideas.
Even in spacious rooms, this option is often used as an additional table.
Lighting, curtains
For additional lighting above the bar counter or work area near the window, install pendant lamps at a distance of 70 cm above the surface or attach wall sconces to the sides of the window opening.
For curtains, preference is given to Roman fabric or roller products with a vertical lifting mechanism. Horizontal blinds and classic short curtains will also be relevant when decorating a window with a window sill-tabletop.
Before installing a tabletop instead of a window sill and using the space under it for household needs, you need to make sure that there is free air circulation around the radiator or central heating radiator. Only thanks to free air circulation, the kitchen will remain dry and warm, and window slopes and walls will not mold.
If a countertop instead of a window sill in the kitchen is used as a table or work area, as indicated in the photo below, a ventilation grill must be built into it or a series of holes must be made. Cabinets under the countertop are equipped with perforated inserts or lattice doors.
Important technical points:
- When decorating the space under the countertop with utility cabinets, despite the ventilation holes, the room temperature during the heating season will decrease by 2-3 °C. An additional radiator compartment or a floor heating system will help compensate for heat loss.
- Before installing the tabletop with your own hands, the window slopes are subjected to antiseptic treatment using a primer and then covered with waterproof paint. These additional measures help prevent mold from growing on surfaces around the window.
- According to fire regulations, the space under the window cannot be used to install a gas or electric stove.
Selecting materials for countertops
Construction stores demonstrate a wide range of modern technologies and materials that allow you to decorate a window sill in the form of a tabletop. Various ready-made designs and individual materials are presented, taking into account the budget, chosen style and color palette of the apartment.
Housewives really like this compact design that combines a window sill and a table.
Artificial stone - acrylic or agglomerate
Agglomerate for countertops is an excellent alternative to expensive granite. It has high strength and excellent appearance. During use, it does not stain, does not wear out, and does not fade under the influence of sunlight. It has significant weight, so you will need to install an additional structure for reliable fastening.
Such a table will be quite narrow - most often this solution resembles a bar counter.
Acrylic is a more budget option. Such artificial stone is available on the market in a wide range of shapes and colors. This makes it possible to realize all the most daring creative ideas. It has less weight and copes well with the effects of water and sun. If damaged, it can be easily restored.
Natural stone - granite or marble
Natural ingredients bring exclusivity and status. Granite and marble countertops will be the focal point of any kitchen. They are characterized by excellent wear resistance and have almost no negative consequences from liquid ingress.
This is ideal for a family of one or two people, however, for more people this option may not be convenient.
Such furniture sets look elegant and do not require labor-intensive care. Over the course of long work they retain their beautiful original appearance.
ADVICE! Stone tables are recommended for large apartments. Otherwise, they look bulky and visually take up free space.
Designers advise you to pay attention that marble can become stained, so it is better to give preference to granite. If the surface is damaged, owners will have to completely replace it; local restoration cannot solve the problem.
A window sill-countertop can serve as a convenient place for preparing food.
Plastic or chipboard
This option is rightfully considered the most budget-friendly, but at the same time it is characterized by minimal strength. For this reason, such a window sill tabletop can serve exclusively as a decorative stand on which light accessories are placed.
Many people like the idea of a countertop instead of a window sill because it allows you to enjoy the view from the window while cooking.
More reliable materials include chipboard (laminated chipboard). They are ideal for a bar table by the window in the kitchen. It is recommended to purchase tiles with a moisture-resistant treatment.
Note! Plastic quickly becomes stained when coloring liquids (coffee, wine, fresh juices) come into contact with it. Also, if the surface is poorly treated due to exposure to moisture, blisters form.
Wood or coated MDF
The window sill countertop in the kitchen is also made of wood (natural or special MDF with plastic or PVC coating). They do not emit negative components, therefore they are considered safe for the human body. They demonstrate an excellent aesthetic appearance, which adds coziness and comfort to the living area.
If you have a large, bright window with a beautiful view, it’s definitely worth adding a small table to it - both as the main dining table and as an additional option.
This material can be easily restored, coated with impregnation or varnish to give it an elegant look. But there is one caveat - if it is exposed to moisture for a long time, fungus will appear and the wood will swell. During operation, defects also appear - stains, cracks, scratches.
It is better to decorate the table under the window from hardwood trees. They interact better with high humidity and are not so damaged by mechanical stress.
DIY window sill table
Installing a countertop instead of a window sill in the kitchen is easy. Unless you decide to make it from metal, impact-resistant glass, or a piece of marble that needs additional processing. It is especially convenient if the window opening has a large depth. In this case, you can even do without additional support for the tabletop.
Making a window sill from a table top with your own hands is not that difficult.
Selection of materials
When choosing materials, it is worth taking into account the specifics of the room in general and the window opening in particular. Namely, high humidity, fat deposits, fumes not removed by exhaust hood, and a large amount of ultraviolet radiation.
The choice of material depends on many factors.
The most common materials:
Chipboard and MDF
Least expensive option. The surface needs additional protection from moisture. Cheap analogue of an array.
Chipboard and MDF are the most budget materials.
Tree
Natural and more expensive material. Needs protection from moisture and other aggressive influences. High decorative qualities, requires maintenance.
Natural wood needs protection from moisture.
A natural stone
Natural material. It is distinguished by its high cost, increased complexity of additional processing, and good decorative and operational properties. Due to its heavy weight, it requires sufficiently powerful support.
A tabletop made of natural stone is quite heavy, so it needs good support.
Plastic table for plastic windows
Can be made from the same material as the original window sill. PVC is resistant to moisture, easy to process and maintain. The cost is low.
The plastic window sill is the most undemanding to maintain.
Artificial stone
Visually resembles natural. Good performance properties. The cost and weight are lower than that of natural stone.
Artificial stone looks almost no different from natural stone, and its cost is much less.
Placement of window sill-table top
When placing a window sill from a countertop, you should follow some rules:
- Consider the location of the heating radiator. In kitchens, the battery is usually located under the window opening. Air should circulate freely. Hot – rise up, cold – fall down. Air exchange can be provided by a ventilation grille or additionally drilled holes.
- The distance from the window sill table to the bottom edge of the window is 15 mm or more.
Ventilation can be installed to ensure air circulation.
Options for arranging a window sill-countertop
This kitchen with a countertop by the window can be made in an unusual design. Let's take a closer look at each unique design idea.
Functional – additional work surface
Converting an ordinary window sill into a countertop allows you to expand the kitchen space, in particular the work area. The room is not cluttered with unnecessary things, and the hostess gets the opportunity to cook with a pleasant view.
The room is filled with natural light, which has a beneficial effect on vision.
Comfortable – bar counter or full table
Most often, a wide stand is used as an alternative to a table. But it is possible to arrange it in a more interesting modification - folding, corner and U-shaped. All the proposed projects are not difficult to complete; the main thing is to select the top surface and equip it with the necessary components (supports, underframe).
The end result will be a beautifully lit area for snacks and meals.
Window sill countertop with built-in sink
For most housewives, this is the most desirable option. But it is not as easy to implement as other mentioned projects. After all, in addition to designing the work area, you will also need to think about how to lay the pipeline to this place.
For most housewives, this is the most convenient and practical option.
There are also some nuances, for example, insufficiently wide window slopes, which will lead to regular splashing of the glass, and difficulties in opening windows. Therefore, you should be very careful in preparing a plan for the implementation of your idea.
Window sill - a place to relax
This unconventional approach is considered a classic option for American homes. Designers turn the window sill into a narrow sofa. A surface made of the most durable material, which is covered with dense fabric with padding polyester, is suitable. It is possible to complement the interior with bright pillows.
In such an atmosphere it is pleasant to relax and drink a cup of coffee or tea, peering into the distance of the landscapes.
Window sill-tabletop with small storage system
This variation allows you to store kitchen utensils not only on top, but also by hiding them under the countertop. For this purpose, a cabinet is made instead of or near the radiators. The designer is also offered to build in small open shelves into which small household appliances, cups, towels or other items will be placed.
Modern solutions make it possible to successfully place such a structure both in an ordinary “Khrushchev” and in a spacious house in a classic style.
Window sill as a dining table
It is designed in the same way as the bar counter, but with the only difference - this tabletop is made counter and wide. This is necessary in order to withstand the massive weight and accommodate all family members.
This is an ideal solution for a small kitchen or studio apartment in which you want to free up as much space as possible.
Design options
Experts offer different ways to arrange a table from an ordinary window sill in a small kitchen.
Working surface
A wide countertop by the window is a convenient place for cooking. Food can be prepared in excellent lighting. In addition, household appliances will be at hand, which can also be placed on the countertop. The standard height of kitchen cabinets standing on the floor is 80 cm, while it is recommended to make the table 10-15 cm lower. Sometimes these metrics are difficult to meet. If the window sill is higher than the headset, the free space can be covered with tiles.
Cooking space on the windowsill
Dinner Zone
Eating by the window is pleasant and comfortable. A tabletop instead of a dining table would be no less a good solution than a work area. An improvised table will increase the number of seats, although it may be inconvenient in height. In this case, you will have to buy higher than usual chairs.
Dining area on the windowsill
Work surface with sink
Making a sink instead of a window sill is perhaps the most difficult thing. To do this, you need to draw up an accurate plan and make the necessary calculations. Usually they install a set that goes into the window sill and equip it with a sink. You will have to reconsider the location of the pipes, otherwise the water supply will be difficult. It is important to make sewer pipes inclined, for which purpose special cuts are arranged in the cabinet.
Installing a sink near a window
Combination with a table or stand
If a wide window sill turns into a table, then this place can be used for preparing food and consuming it. A large table is installed when the dimensions of the kitchen allow it.
In a small room you can install a bar counter that fits perfectly into modern styles. It is important that there is at least 30 cm between the outer edge of the table and the radiator.
Folding table-window sill
Kitchens in Khrushchev-era buildings are often tiny in size - about 5-6 square meters. In this case, you can use the most compact table, which folds up after eating and frees up additional space. Two or three people can eat at it at the same time, which is enough for a small family. If there is no radiator under the window, then the table can be folded down. It is quite possible to make such a design yourself.
Table with additional functions
A window sill table is used to store all kinds of utensils, appliances, dishes, and equipment. In such a situation, it is better to make the countertop wide, and then it will become a place to install a blender, multicooker, bread maker, or mixer. You can even put a microwave oven here, however, the glass will regularly fog up. If there is a battery under the window, you should not store food on the windowsill.
Kitchen cabinet under the windowsill
Rest zone
In the spacious kitchen, the window sill makes an excellent place to rest and relax. Low window sills are suitable for conversion into benches, where it is pleasant to sit on cushions or soft mats. This option is especially successful if you have a beautiful view outside the window.
Sofa under the window in the kitchen
Placement of window sill-table top
Today you can find many ideas for placing such a worktop under the windows, which should be discussed in detail.
Corner
When placing a kitchen unit near a window opening, it is recommended to combine the table and window sill in the form of a corner variation.
It will look stylish and harmonious.
Combined
At the renovation stage, you will need to think about the placement of furniture and the general appearance of the kitchen. An updated window sill can stylishly and correctly fit into a work island and become an integral part of it.
This is the most common layout option in small apartments.
Built-in
May also be called U-shaped. Standard window sizes are not able to accommodate the whole family at dinner. If the area of the room allows, the table can be continued and made spacious for all household members.
This option is only possible with a certain layout.
Transitional
There is not enough free space in the Khrushchev-era apartment, so it is possible to expand the working or dining area with the help of a window sill-tabletop. It will flow into the kitchen island, thereby creating more space for maneuvering and cooking.
Most often, the window sill-tabletop has a rectangular shape.
Tabletop on the windowsill, design
There is an opinion that this option is forced, as a rule, due to the small size of the kitchen. It's not like that at all. A table top-window sill can be mounted for several reasons:
- if the housewife needs the kitchen work surface to be well lit and always with natural light;
- in a spacious kitchen, when the window sill is combined with an island or it is a corner kitchen with a bar counter for a convenient layout;
- to visually balance the kitchen space and prevent all the furniture from being placed in one direction;
- when achieving certain goals in kitchen design, when all the furniture is arranged in a circle;
- in a small kitchen where there is no room for a full-fledged dining table and work surface.
This is a great option to save space in a small kitchen.
Usually the tabletop is installed if the window opening is deep enough, at least 40 cm.
Then, by adding a small protruding part, you can get a full-fledged table, which will have the following design:
- can stand on legs;
- fold;
- fit on a cabinet;
- attach to fittings brackets;
- present one surface with all kitchen furniture;
- it can be mounted under the sink;
- have one surface with the bar counter;
- be perpendicular to the window or run parallel to it;
- be of any shape, even the most bizarre.
Advantages and disadvantages of installing such an extension of the table
The main advantage of a countertop built into the window sill is that in this case the kitchen will not seem like an enclosed space. There are more possibilities for design solutions: a window sill that smoothly turns into a tabletop fits perfectly into interiors of many styles, from classic to ultra-modern. And the housewife gets the opportunity when cooking not to stare at the wall, but to look at the landscape outside the window. This arrangement of the working surface makes it possible not to turn on electric lighting during the daytime.
The disadvantages are that it is not so easy to dismantle the stone surface of the tabletop if necessary; such a table cannot be moved to another place. It is better to choose curtains for windows from water-repellent material.
How to decorate a window sill: tempting ideas for every taste
The window sill in the kitchen is a wonderful field for imagination. The countertop allows you to embody your wildest fantasies and creative ideas.
How to beat a low window sill
It is not necessary to level the surfaces in height. It is recommended to simply use the same materials for the countertops or decorate them with identical accessories. This way, harmony will be achieved in the interior, and the window sill will become a continuation of the working island.
If you are making a wider table in a small kitchen, it makes sense to make smooth corners so that you don’t accidentally bump into them.
Other ideas
The problem of a low set, in comparison with a new window-sill table, can be solved. To do this, they are placed instead of the battery or their height is increased using plinths. Construction teams and designers are able to offer harmonious variations of this method of arrangement.
When choosing a color, you should start from the style of your interior.
This type of furniture set, like a window sill countertop, is very popular among housewives. And this is quite natural, because this way more natural light is achieved and the practicality of all areas and kitchen meters increases.
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.
Stone countertop is durable and strong
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.
Convection
To ensure inflow from the radiator, it is necessary to make a hole in the tabletop
Heating devices are almost always installed under the windowsill. To allow warm air to circulate freely, make large enough holes in the countertop. The easiest way to do this is on countertops made of any stone or wood. As an option, you can close the opening with false panels.
If possible, the battery should be moved to another location.
The holes in the countertop for air exchange must be at least 10 cm in diameter.
Sustainability
The most stable structure rests on furniture cabinets. The stability of the structure is also necessary for safe window cleaning when you have to stand on the countertop, so the calculation should be based on the average weight of a person. If the tabletop rests on legs, then it is better to provide an additional bar support.
Splash protection
When using a countertop as a work surface during food preparation, splashes cannot be avoided. To protect the window from splashes, curtains made of water-repellent material or special structures made of plastic like blinds are used, which are retracted if there is work to be done during which the window may be splashed.
Heat resistance
Countertops made from any type of stone, concrete, ceramic and porcelain stoneware can withstand temperatures up to 150 degrees without leaving marks. Ikea heat-resistant glass also withstands high temperatures. Wooden countertops are the most vulnerable to high temperatures. Even coated with special varnishes, they still remain susceptible to high temperatures; this must be taken into account when using such countertops and using various stands.
Materials for manufacturing may be different, but for high temperatures only metal ones are used.
