The nuances of placing a kitchen table on a windowsill, its pros and cons
Owners of standard apartments in Soviet high-rise buildings cannot boast large kitchens. Therefore, modern designers come up with functional and unusual designs to maximize space conservation. For example, a window sill table in the kitchen is suitable for a small family of several people. Thanks to this decision, you can enjoy your meal or cook with good daylight and stunning street views.
Design advantages
A table instead of a window sill is a modern solution for small-sized kitchens in odnushka or studio apartment. The design serves as a dining table for several people or a place for cooking, storage of household appliances. When arranging such a countertop, the following rules should be followed:
- So that the kitchen is not cold and damp, and the window does not fog up during cooking, it is necessary to ensure free circulation of warm air from the radiator and the window opening. To do this, shelves, cabinets without a back wall are installed under the tabletop.
- To maintain heat, it is recommended to install a "warm floor" system or transfer the radiator to another free wall.
- The window sill should not overlap part of the window, it is installed 2-3 cm lower.
- You can install a sink on a wide sill-countertop, but a stove in this place is prohibited by building codes.
- It is worth remembering that the window sill is attached to the outer wall and is located next to the window. Therefore, to equip the structure, you should choose a durable material that does not lend itself to moisture and mold.
- To provide free space, access to the stove and refrigerator, you can use countertops of various shapes.
To design a window, roller blinds are suitable that are mounted directly on the sash. It is also convenient to use short curtains, classic blinds. Bright lamps are always hung above the dining table or work surface.
Use cases
You can make a table-sill in the kitchen for different purposes. It is nice to dine with a view of the street or cook food, do dishes in good daylight. An additional box is placed under the window or shelves for storing preservation, dishes, household chemicals are built. In any case, this solution becomes the best for apartments with small kitchens or for private houses with a small area.
Dinner table
Making the dining table out of the windowsill is the easiest. It is enough to increase the space under the window, create additional supports and put chairs. This design will create a well-lit and comfortable place for eating. So that the legs do not rest against the radiator or grille, the free edge of the countertop should be at least 20-25 cm.
A stationary table on the windowsill in the kitchen can be connected to the headset and continue in a U- or L-shape. With the small size of the room, they make a dining island (in the form of a semicircle, a drop), which provides free access to the refrigerator, doorway.
An interesting solution is the bar, which can start at the window and wrap up to the living room. This design is not only functional, but also serves as an element of the zoning of the studio apartment.
Continuation of the working area
To increase the working area, the window sill should be adjusted to the height of all countertops. This is easy to do in a private house or if the opening opens onto a balcony. It is enough to reduce the window and raise the work surface. You can also put furniture over the windowsill, and use the opening that appears to store kitchen utensils. An island is created if installed between furniture and a window of household appliances. If the kitchen table borders the balcony door, its edges are rounded off, not hindering the passage to the window.
An interesting solution is moving the sink under the window. So, daily washing of dishes brightens up with an excellent view from the window, fresh air and adequate lighting. The sink for this design should be deep, located on the side of the window, closer to the edge of the countertop. Proper positioning will provide easy access to the window and reduce the risk of permanent contamination of the glass from splashing water.
Materials of manufacture
The appearance and wear resistance of the countertop depends on the material of its manufacture. It should be borne in mind that the window sill is installed in the kitchen, where there is high humidity, evaporation is present. The surface must be durable, not fade, not swell, not change under the influence of high temperatures.
Pros and cons of the most sought after materials:
- Plastic is a budget option for countertops, which is combined with kitchen cabinets made of chipboard or MDF. Among the advantages can be distinguished: a variety of colors and shapes, ease of care, resistance to sunlight. But such a surface is not heat-resistant, easily scratches, swells and deforms due to moisture entering the joints.
- MDF and particleboard imitates wood or stone well, which allows you to create any design for minimal money. Material advantages: high wear resistance, ease of care, a wide selection of colors. But over time, the surface is scratched, moisture enters the holes, which leads to deformation of the plate.
- Wood is offered for classic kitchen design. The material looks expensive, environmentally friendly, pleasant to the touch. The cheapest option will be pine, from elite varieties cherry, oak, mahogany are offered. Such a surface has low performance characteristics: it can deform from moisture, shock or excessive load, requires regular processing, and easily ignites.
- Artificial or natural stone is a sales leader, since the material is the most durable, does not contain joints, can have any non-standard shape. If you choose a natural countertop, it is worth considering the ability of the stone to accumulate radiation. Traces of tea, wine, and coffee may remain on the surface.
PlasticMDFWoodA rockGlassManufacturers also offer glass countertops. Such material looks unusual, especially at the window. The glass window sill is often equipped with a sink. But glass is afraid of temperature changes, it can crack over time.
Design and shape
In a small kitchen, you can choose a folding table made from a window sill. It is laid out only for lunch, but the rest of the time does not interfere. For large families, a countertop is installed, turning into a full-fledged table. The design is L-shaped. To provide free access to the kitchen, designers offer different fancy shapes with all kinds of colors. A classic option is a rectangular window sill. In modern interiors, there are often radial, semicircular options.
The design of a small kitchen is based on a combination of light shades: cream, gray, lime, purple. For a classic design, a white or blue surface of the headset is suitable. Wood or its imitation is applied in country style. In Art Nouveau, Neoclassic tables of dark stone or wood look unusual. A glass plate decorated with themed images fits perfectly into the Mediterranean style.
Many manufacturers offer photo printing tables. The user has the ability to select any image. For example, you can place a collage of family photos on the countertop.
Useful tips for a small kitchen
In a small kitchen in Khrushchev, it is necessary to make maximum use of space, so arranging a window sill for a dining table will be the best option. On the countertop, you can cook, put small household appliances or pots with indoor plants. When choosing the material, shape and design of the headset, you should use the recommendations:
- Before acquiring furniture, all measurements should be made, it is necessary to leave enough space for free movement around the room;
- the sill table should have a single plate without joints and differences;
- for an inexpensive headset made of chipboard or MDF, a simple plastic tabletop is suitable;
- for visual expansion of the space, mirror smooth surfaces are used, but a matte texture is considered more practical in use;
- in a small kitchen, a massive slab of natural stone will not look appropriate;
- if the window sill is used as a dining table, it is better to put a decorative grille under the surface and do not block the radiator anymore;
- You can install a small drawer in the table in which cutlery will be stored;
- if additional space is required for storing kitchen utensils, it is better to use open cabinets with shelves and make ventilation holes in the countertop.
If the kitchen design does not include open shelves, you will need to transfer the radiator to another wall. Also, if there is additional space, designers recommend extending the window sill. So you can get a dining place and a functional work area.
Before acquiring carry out all measurementsThe sill table should have a single plateFor visual expansion of space use smooth mirror surfacesInstall additional drawers under the countertop