In most cases, the window sill in apartments is suitable for growing decorative flowers. However, in a small living space, a family with small children may find it difficult to allocate a desk for each family member. Therefore, the thought of organizing a table on the windowsill may well come to mind.
You can find a lot of original solutions online, and photos of a window-sill table will tell you which option will be the most optimal in a particular case.
Let's consider a number of advantages and disadvantages of tables made on the basis of a window sill, as well as the question of creating a comfortable and functional table in the kitchen.
Advantages
The main advantage of the design in question is that it allows for extremely efficient use of the space of any room: from the bedroom to the kitchen.
Of course, it will not be possible to carve out a large number of square meters. But in a small apartment, every meter gained will be a significant achievement.
The table can become a separate workplace where a desktop computer or laptop can easily be placed. In addition, it will make possible a child’s long-standing dream of having his own desk come true.
A window sill used as a table in a children's room will create space for his free creativity. And outside the window you can always watch something interesting that will allow you to have an entertaining rest: passing cars, running animals, etc.
Among other things, the window-sill table in the nursery is equipped with drawers, which is a very good design solution regardless of the gender of the child.
It makes sense to equip a school-age child’s nursery with a desk-window sill. Good illumination will be a plus, thanks to it, vision will be preserved and electricity will be saved.
Window sill-desk: photos, ideas and tips
A window sill is an integral part of any window and, as a rule, serves as a stand for indoor flowers. At the same time, as you know, most apartments cannot boast of an excess of free space and the struggle for square meters is a constant headache for the owners of small apartments, and often not very small ones, and even full-sized cottages, if, say, we are talking about large families families or families who live with their parents. You have to think about how to organize the space in the most rational way, and this is where this very window sill writing table comes to the rescue, offering its services as a comfortable and compact writing desk, albeit with certain modifications.
Sufficient illumination of the workplace is one of its main characteristics, and the window sill, rethought and converted into a desk, realizes this requirement to the best extent. Therefore, even if there is plenty of free space, the proposed idea is happy to be implemented in children's rooms, on loggias and insulated balconies, when equipping a workplace for people working remotely (the so-called home office).
To arrange a window sill-table, various materials are used: it can be expensive natural stone, or artificial - cheaper; the most popular are natural wood and laminated MDF (chipboard), which, however, must be properly processed. It should also be borne in mind that heavy options will require additional supports - legs, cabinets with shelves and drawers, which, however, will not be superfluous if lightweight materials are used.
An additional advantage of such a workplace is the presence of a steam heating battery right next to your feet, which will be especially appreciated during the cold winter-autumn period. However, do not forget to make and decorate ventilation holes accordingly to allow warm air to escape from the radiator and create a thermal curtain for the window.
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The installation of a window sill-desk should be carried out by specialists, since it will require preliminary dismantling of the old window sill. You should also entrust the calculation and production of the entire structure to professionals: although this will require additional costs, it is worth it. If you have sufficient skills and have the necessary tools, please, there are plenty of materials and accessories on sale. By the way, if the “original” window sill is still good, but there is no desire (and perhaps the means) for the labor-intensive procedure of replacing it, you can “cheat” a little and glue a tabletop carefully adjusted to size using liquid nails directly to the window sill.
There are many options for creating a desk instead of the usual window sill, as you can see for yourself by looking at the proposed photos. You can limit yourself to the ascetic minimalism of one tabletop, or you can equip a full-fledged workplace, providing it with additional shelves, cabinets and drawers: it all depends on the location (loggia, children's room, etc.) and the tasks solved with the help of this table (just a book read and take some notes or equipment for a “home office”, a place for study and creative activities of the child). In any case, installing a window sill-desk will allow you to more rationally organize the living space in your house or apartment and is in itself an original design solution.
Flaws
Converted window sills have a number of disadvantages. A window facing the sunny side may bring with it excess light, which will have to be reduced by installing blinds.
Most apartments are equipped with heating radiators, which are placed directly under the windows. This situation entails greater heating of the feet of those sitting at the window-sill table (compared to standard tables). Some people will like this fact, while others will experience severe discomfort.
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A disadvantage will be the impaired circulation of warm air, since the countertop will cover a significant space above the radiator, preventing air from rising vertically.
You can solve the problem by creating a table-window sill with your own hands, and the tabletop must be prepared in a special way. Small holes are made in it, often round in shape, allowing for the circulation of warm air.
The battery itself is covered with a decorative shield. This ensures that your feet are protected from contact with the hot surface of the heating radiator.
There are many special inserts for circulation holes on the market, made of metal or plastic. They make it possible to aesthetically design the surface of the table.
A table built into the window sill will require abandoning the usual long curtains. Some may not like this option, since it will require shortening the curtains or installing blinds.
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However, the lighting control system resulting from the use of blinds will allow you to change the degree of illumination of the work space and freely open and close the window.
Tips for choosing
Regardless of whether you want to place a window sill table in the nursery, living room or kitchen, you should pay attention to the following criteria.
- Material. It is better to choose functional and easy-to-care material for the nursery.
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For a desk, chipboard or natural wood is better suited.
- Size. One of the important parameters. To avoid problems with installation, you should take accurate measurements.
If this is a desk, then you need to calculate the parameters in such a way that it is convenient to work.
- Quality. Be sure to consult with the seller during purchase and ask for all the documents for this design, which will indicate the manufacturer and exact composition.
Photos of window sill tables
How to make a table from a window sill with your own hands
If you have an old house or a private new building with good-quality window frames that do not let in either dampness or rainwater in stormy weather, a wooden window sill will certainly prove to be a model of durability. In this case, you don’t have to break it out, but simply screw a tabletop of appropriate thickness to it on hinges. Yes, the working surface will not be solid, but you will not put a lot of labor into solving the problem. If the window sill has dried out or seems unreliable due to the fact that the apartment was originally designed with plastic surroundings for the windows, dismantling work is inevitable.
Having broken out the unnecessary part, we measure the recess that the window sill occupied, after which we cut out a blank from plywood, chipboard or MDF. The first option is the easiest to process, since you can use a regular jigsaw. It is better to take waterproof plywood; its thickness should be at least 12 millimeters to prevent deflections. Use high-quality chipboard and MDF, with high-quality adhesive impregnation and well-pressed, this will also guarantee resistance to high levels of humidity.
Let's say you haven't come up with anything else other than making a table from a window sill in a small kitchen where there isn't enough space even for one. Thus, you free yourself from the need to install a dining set, and the room from unnecessary furniture (although you will still need stools). We have found out the advantages, let’s return to solving the problem at hand. We insert the workpiece into the cavity previously occupied by a standard window sill; if necessary, place wooden blocks or a board under the plywood to raise the sheet to the desired level.
We fix it using cabinets fixed to the wall or steel corner brackets as supports. We screw plywood or chipboard to the window opening with screws. Next, coat the base with a special glue for ceramics using a notched trowel. We minimize the joints between individual facing elements, since we do not need wide joints with grout mixture on the work surface where the cooking process will take place. We glue special ceramic linings to the ends, or use aluminum molding for this purpose.
It is recommended to choose smooth tiles for the countertop, without relief, since any unevenness will make cleaning difficult and become a place for greasy deposits to accumulate.
