Design and layout

Kitchen with sink by the window

4. Airing. The need to open the window for washing and ventilation requires careful selection of the model and location of the mixer: so that the wings do not rest against the tap.

5. Difficulties with communications. Transferring the sink to the window, it is important to think in advance about the need for supplying communications there and correctly calculate the slope of the plumbing pipes. In the event of a particular distance from the riser, expensive pumping units may be required for proper sewage operation.

Advantages and disadvantages

A kitchen with a small sink located by the window has many advantages and disadvantages. First of all, it allows you to expand your workspace. On the windowsill you can place your dishes or decorative items. Do not be afraid to use the space between the countertop and the windowsill - there you can easily hang the bar on which all your kitchen towels will be located.

The sink located under the window is a design solution that collects many positive reviews due to its functionality and practicality.

Such a placement of the sink can significantly save electricity. Most often, sinks are installed in a dark corner or opposite a window. In this case, the working area needs additional lighting. But installing the sink directly under the window will solve this problem. In the daytime you do not have to use electric lighting.

Another nice bonus is that by setting the sink under the window, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery while washing dishes. So, you will not be so bored during work. In addition, natural ventilation allows you not to worry about splashes of water accumulating near the sink. And unpleasant odors will disappear much faster.

However, this arrangement of the sink has its drawbacks. First of all, it will be difficult to install it. And when opening the windows inward, problems may arise when ventilating the room due to the high crane.

If you have a classic window with wooden frames, then it is better to replace it with something more modern. A double-glazed window with plastic frames is the best option for such conditions of high humidity. Remember that a wooden frame can deform over time and lose its appeal. Especially if it is not treated with special water-repellent agents before installation.

Another disadvantage is that when washing dishes, splashes of water and drops of grease can get on glass and curtains. So, you will often have to clean the windows and wash your curtains so that the kitchen remains neat enough. It is also advisable to choose the shortest curtains so that their lower part is not constantly splashed with water.

Interior

The sink located under the window is suitable for many kitchens. In the "Khrushchev" such a stylistic solution will significantly save space. When the sink is located directly under the window, and dishes and decorative elements are installed on the windowsill, more space is made for cooking.

Features of a kitchen with a sink at the window

Let's say right away: the design of a kitchen with a sink at the window is complex and expensive. Before re-planning the kitchen in this way, carefully analyze the features of the room and the location of the communications. Make a drawing of the future layout. The work ahead is laborious.

Important! Only those who have certain knowledge and skills in the field of repair will be able to do this work on their own. The rest is better to turn to specialists.

Possible difficulties and their solution

When designing a kitchen and moving the sink under the window, one should consider the technical capabilities of the room. This layout has many disadvantages. They must be taken into account in order to subsequently avoid problems and disappointments associated with the project.

Please note the following negative points:

  1. The complexity and high cost of the project. It is difficult to independently think through all the nuances of the layout with a sink in place of the windowsill. To take into account all possible problems, you will have to contact specialists. Additional work and material costs will be required.
  2. Installation complexity. In standard-type apartments, water pipes run far from the window. For the rearrangement of the sink will require a lot of work. And here you can’t do without professionals either.
  3. The problem of choosing materials. Wooden window frames will quickly deteriorate from moisture. Therefore, only plastic windows are suitable for such a location of the sink. But this is not the biggest problem. This location is characterized by large temperature differences. In winter, for example, it’s cold near the window, and the heating under it heats the air. High humidity only exacerbates the situation. Result: peeled wallpaper, cracked countertops, falling plaster. Choose a countertop made of stone (natural or artificial) or other moisture-resistant materials. If, apart from wood and its derivatives, you do not consider anything, take care of its thorough treatment with hydro-repellents. Wallpaper is better to replace with ceramic tiles.
  4. Heating solution. Typically, a heating radiator is located under the window. Just hide it will not work - ventilation is required. It can be moved to another place. However, it is difficult to do this in small kitchens. And here to solve the problem there are two options: to replace the heating system by installing a warm floor, or to mount the countertop near the window itself, make holes in it at the battery level and attach the grilles.

There are still disadvantages of such a layout, less significant:

  1. Unusual arrangement of dish driers. Usually it is located in a cabinet above the sink. With a non-standard layout, you will have to look for another place for it. This can increase the trajectory of movement in the kitchen, although it is more a matter of habit. Moreover, you can choose a design where the cupboard-dryer for dishes will be located near the sink.
  2. Inevitable spray on the window. Glass is more difficult to wash than an apron, in addition, you have to lean on the windowsill to wipe them. Choose a deep sink made of artificial stone or granite - there will be much less spray.

Features of transferring a sink to a window

If you are not afraid of the disadvantages of the location of the sink in the kitchen by the window, when re-planning, consider all the nuances, both technical and ergonomic.

To correctly transfer the sink under the windowsill, you must:

  1. Properly install a sewer drain. To avoid frequent blockages, correctly calculate the slope of the pipeline. Based on 1 running meter, the pipe slope is made at least 3 cm. The longer the pipeline is obtained, the greater the slope. In addition, the pipes must be fixed on the wall so that they do not bend and do not form stagnant water in the drain.
  2. Install optional equipment. If you move the sink more than 3 m from the sewage drain, install a disposer (a special device for shredding waste). The cleanings and small bones will be ground before they enter the sewer. And blockages in this way will be avoided.
  3. Choose a suitable mixer. It is unacceptable that the plumbing fixture interfere with the usual ventilation of the window. Therefore, you should responsibly approach the choice of a mixer. Buy a special model with a low or flexible (folding) spout - there are many options in stores.

Attention! If the windowsill is located below the standard height of the kitchen unit / countertop, it is better to refuse to transfer the sink. Otherwise, you will also have to change the size of the window opening. Ideally, if the windowsill is 10 centimeters above the countertop.

Stylistic solutions

The transfer of piping, heating equipment and plumbing is important, but no less important is the design of the kitchen with a sink by the window. It should also be thought out in advance. Interior planning depends on many factors: the area and shape of the room, the budget, the preferred color scheme.

The main options for the location of the kitchen:

  1. The letter "P". This option is suitable for narrow or square kitchens. For greater functionality, the maximum number of corner shelves is used. In a narrow kitchen, it is better to place the kitchen set along the window - this will visually expand the space. Narrow vertical furniture sections with glass facades (transparent or matte) will look good on the walls to the right and left of the window. Such a move will visually reduce the length of the room and put the right accents, for example, on the window decor or relaxation area.
  2. The letter "G". In most cases, this layout is used in a small kitchen. Almost the entire kitchen is placed in one row, and the smallest part of the wall is complemented by a small part of the furniture.
  3. The arrangement of all elements of the kitchen in one row. A sink, kitchen cabinets and stove are placed along one wall. An option for spacious kitchens in cottages or private homes.

The window itself in the kitchen can be located in different ways: to be one big bright spot or narrow and high, to have several wings or be located in the corner of the room. If there are several windows in the kitchen, a cupboard is mounted in one of the corner openings.

It is also rational to allocate a place on the sides of a narrow and high window for wall cabinets or open shelves. And if the kitchen area allows, it is better to leave the entire wall with a window opening empty and decorate with tiles. It will look stylish and practical.

For the kitchen with access to the balcony, the original option will be a design with a combined loggia. Such an unusual design solution will significantly increase the space and add natural light.

We have selected a collection of kitchen photos with a sink located near the window / s. You may find a suitable layout and design for your home or apartment.

Window sink: benefits

In Europe, and in many countries of America, placing a sink by the window is not fantastic. Of course, their houses are designed in advance for such a layout, the necessary communications are laid immediately when building a house. Why is a kitchen sink under the window such a popular solution? Should the owners of domestic apartments resort to this?

The undoubted advantages of the location of the sink by the window in the kitchen are:

Superb Window View

And it doesn’t matter if you live on the first floor, or on the last. In the first case, washing the dishes will be accompanied by observation of your neighbors or passers-by, and in the second, an excellent panorama of the city or nature is waiting for you.

Daily routine work will turn into relaxation and meditation when observing from the window the life around. There is no longer any need to stare at a blank wall before washing in the corner. Indeed, you must admit that we do not so often just look out the window to observe city life. Undoubtedly, from the point of view of psychology, placing a sink by the window in the kitchen is worth it.

Daylight

If your layout in the kitchen involves the location of a wet zone in the corner, then the main drawback is the need to turn on the light even during the day, because this zone is often devoid of natural light.

When placing a kitchen sink at the window, the lighting problem is solved exactly half - now the light will have to be turned on only in the evening. And this will significantly save you energy consumption.

Work surface increase

Most often, if we are talking about standard apartments in houses of the Khrushchevsky or Brezhnev type, then the window sill is located at the level of the countertop. And this means that when transferring the sink, you can order a countertop combined with a window sill. In turn, this leads to an increase in the working space for the hostess, which is so lacking in small kitchens.

Nevertheless, the space under the window in a typical kitchen always remains unused, and the transfer of the sink to this zone will add functionality to the room, using the entire area to the maximum. This solution is especially true when combining the kitchen and the living room - the work area can be moved under the window, thereby freeing one of the walls of the room under other furniture.

Disadvantages of a sink by the window in the kitchen

No matter how attractive the transfer of the sink under the window may look, all technical nuances should be studied in this matter, since sometimes insurmountable difficulties arise that make it impossible to carry out the plan. We are talking about communications - water supply, drain pipe and radiators. What are the disadvantages for apartment owners when moving a wet zone to a window area?

Heating radiators

Typical layout of apartments involves the placement of heating radiators under the window. Moreover, both in old houses and in modern new buildings. Most often, it is not possible to transfer it to another wall due to technical problems. If the sink is placed under the window, you will have to close the radiators with the facades of the floor cabinets, which will inevitably lead to heat loss.

The way out of this situation is a special perforation on the countertop - holes that allow heat to penetrate from the radiator into the room. However, still part of the warm air is lost, which means that you will have to think about an alternative source of heating, for example, installing a warm floor.

Decor Ideas

The design of the kitchen with a sink at the window for obvious reasons eliminates the use of window shades and curtains. With this layout, it is the window that becomes the aesthetic element.

Taking into account the style of the room, such decorative elements are emphasized:

  • Roman or roller blinds, blinds made of thick material or bamboo,
  • a small pelmet,
  • bright frames
  • hygrophilous flowers on the windowsill behind the sink,
  • a small ceiling light directly above the sink,
  • a small ceiling shelf with porcelain vases, ceramic or clay pots, decorative dishes or other stylish elements.

Decorate the sink and window sill in the same style. Add bright details to the interior. And you will get a stylish kitchen from Western design magazines - the dream of any housewife.

Plumbing and drain

When placed at the window, the sink in the kitchen will be sufficiently removed from the sewer and water pipes. And their lengthening is sometimes associated with unnecessary financial and labor costs. With improper installation or use of low-quality materials, you can get problems with the drain after 5 years. Yes, and finding a professional plumber who correctly designs the entire unit and correctly calculates the slope of the plumbing pipes can be difficult.

Conclusion

For modern European kitchens, the location of the sink at the window is not uncommon. Perhaps because they do not have standard layouts of apartments and more opportunities for the manifestation of imagination. But in our country, such a layout is gaining popularity. This design solution is suitable not only for a private house, but also for apartments with small kitchens.

This technique significantly increases the space, reduces energy consumption and creates additional comfort for the hostess. But before you decide on a complete redevelopment, especially in the apartment, you should study its features.There are difficulties that are easier to prevent during the installation phase. It is much more difficult to deal with the consequences of a failed repair when it is already completed.

Negative sides

Consider the disadvantages of planning the sink at the window in the kitchen.

  • A difficult project. It is quite difficult for a simple layman to think through all the nuances of the future interior with a sink in place of a regular windowsill. To take into account all the problems of such a permutation, it is necessary to contact specialists.
  • Difficult installation. In ordinary apartments, water pipes run far from the window. To perform a rearrangement of the shell, quite extensive work by professionals will be required.
  • The solution is with heating. As a rule, a heating radiator is located under the window. Installation of the sink will require a solution so that the heat freely enters the room.
  • Additional material costs. Moving a sink to a window is hard work. Therefore, significant cash costs are inevitable here.
  • Damage to surrounding materials. This location is characterized by temperature differences. In the immediate vicinity, the window is quite cold, but the heating underneath heats the air. The additionally joined increased humidity enhances the effect of these phenomena. Wallpaper can peel off, crack countertops, plaster fall off.
  • Dried spray on the window. Since, instead of the apron, there is now a window in front of the sink, no matter how far the faucet is from the opening, the spray will fly there. To wipe them off is not the most pleasant occupation.
  • A tandem with a sink can only form a plastic window. Wooden frames deteriorate from dampness, which will prevent you from installing a sink for washing dishes next to such a window.
  • The dishwasher can no longer be placed on top of the sink. If, in a typical washing arrangement, clean dishes are usually placed in the cabinet on top, then now he will have to look for another location. This is not quite familiar and convenient, since the trajectory of movement in the kitchen is now increasing.

These are the flaws present in kitchen sinks near the window.

They must be taken into account in order not to be bitterly disappointed in your project.

How to transfer?

All the subtleties and nuances of such a redevelopment is quite difficult to take into account. The project is time consuming and costly. It is necessary to understand in advance whether you will overpower it, or it is better to come to terms with the traditional arrangement of the sink.

  • The kitchen set must be planned so that the height of the countertops does not exceed the height of the windowsill. Otherwise, you have to redo the window opening. For a private house, such an operation is quite possible, but not for a multi-apartment building, since the facade of the building cannot be changed.
  • It is necessary to supply water, guided by this rule: for good flow you need a slope of 3-5 cm per meter of pipe. Otherwise, regular blockages can be expected. This can be avoided by placing a special chopper in the sink. But such a purchase requires additional costs.
  • In order for the radiator to continue to perform its function, it is necessary to design the sink near the window with grilles that allow heat to pass through. Moving the battery to another location threatens with dampness and cold.
  • The choice of sink and countertop should be especially careful. It’s best to get the sink as deep as possible to avoid splashing. The countertop must be plastic or natural stone, otherwise it may swell and deteriorate.
  • The installed sink and faucet must not interfere with the opening of the window. To do this, you need to think about the optimal distance in advance. Another option is to choose a special folding or pivoting crane.

Design solutions

Planning the interior of a kitchen with a sink at the window depends on many factors: the area of ​​the room, the shape, the planned budget, the preferred color scheme. Rectangular rooms with a short side along the window opening are easily approximated to a square shape. For this, the countertop with a sink is made wider.

And for square rooms P-shaped kitchen furniture is perfect.

Consider ideas that may interest connoisseurs of the beautiful even in the kitchen. Design decisions with a sink in the kitchen near the window are very diverse.

  • A wide tabletop under a tree and a sink just to the side of the window. A cozy and successful solution for a large kitchen space. The sink is quite deep, and the distance from the glass is maximum, which will not allow splashes to reach the window.

  • Large corner headset with black countertop and steel sink near the window. A wide window opening is well located above the countertop. The sink is also very deep and large.

  • Gray sink on a white background countertops. The square sink located far from the window fits very compactly into the surrounding interior. It serves not only as a place for washing dishes, but also as a kind of color accent.

  • A giant sink in a large kitchen. A wide square of metal, in the shape of which the sink is made, looks very stylish, coupled with a black countertop. The dark interior is diluted with light walls and a landscape outside the window.

  • Sink near the window, extended forward. This technique perfectly solves the problems of small spaces, as it increases the distance from the sink to the window. The white shell and tree are great companions.

  • Sink with two taps in front of a tall window. For those who do not need one sink faucet, it is easy to make two, especially if space allows. So, it’s easy to cook dinner together and wash dishes twice as fast after using such a convenient solution.

  • Black sink of unusual shape in front of a narrow window. The white countertop creates a contrast that beats the design decision. The dark sink echoes the brown window frame. Visual communication helps integrate the interior.

  • U-shaped high-tech kitchen with sink in front of the window. Black-and-white tones and a tabletop interspersed cause cosmic associations. The ultra-modern sink and faucet together with the large window look simply enchanting.

An overview of the sink in the kitchen near the window, as well as useful tips, see the video below.

Splashing on the window

When washing dishes, splashing on the windows cannot be avoided. Detergent and water, liquids poured into the sink leave marks, as there will be no kitchen apron. And what can we say about kitchen curtains or blinds? Of course, the latter are easier to replace, but ordering takes time.

The way out of the situation may be a screen apron, which can be put behind the sink while washing dishes, but in this case you will have to sacrifice a beautiful view from the window. Or mount the sink at a sufficient distance from the glass so that splashes do not fall on it (this solution is justified with a wide window sill).

Another solution to this problem may be to use a special rubber mat at the bottom of the sink, which prevents water splashing.

Restriction on the use of wooden products

This also applies to wooden countertops and wooden window frames. In the first case, the product is affected not only by moisture, but also by temperature differences, which leads to cracking and bloating of the countertop. And in the second case, the window frame will have to be changed to a metal-plastic construction.

The way out of the situation may be the use of countertops made of artificial stone or other material resistant to moisture and temperature extremes. And you have to completely abandon the wooden windows.

Difficult to ventilate

If the sink is too close to the window, the mixer prevents the frame from opening completely, making ventilation difficult. But this drawback is easily eliminated by installing a special mixer, leaning to the side or hiding in the sink. In addition, there are special low kitchen faucets with a low spout.

If the width of the countertop allows, you can also mount the sink farther from the window, and place the mixer on the side - in this case it will also not interfere with the opening of the window sashes.

Height difference

Another problem that the owner of the home may face when re-planning the kitchen is the mismatch between the height of the window opening and the height of the countertop. However, the advantage will be the location of the frame above the countertop - and less spray, and the absence of the need to transfer the window opening.

But if the lower part of the window is located below the countertop, then the idea of ​​a sink by the window will have to be abandoned if there is no desire to eliminate the difference and reinstall the glass packet of the desired size.

The lack of a dryer in the cabinet

If the sink is located in the corner of the kitchen or in the middle section, then in the hanging cabinets above the wet area it is more convenient to place a dish dryer. When moving the sink under the window, the hanging cabinets will not be in the immediate access. This means that you will have to change habits and put clean dishes either on the table, or organize a dryer in the floor cabinet under the sink. And the last option is possible only if there are no radiators in this place.

Let us once again summarize all the disadvantages and advantages of the location of the sink under the window in the kitchen so that you can clearly see whether the result obtained is worth the effort:

Benefitsdisadvantages
  • superb view
  • daylight
  • work surface increase
  • difficulties in transferring communications
  • spray on the window and curtains
  • rejection of wooden countertops and wooden windows
  • airing difficult
  • possible height difference between window sill and tabletop
  • inconvenience of drying clean dishes

Features of the transfer of the sink under the window in the kitchen

If you weren’t scared by the drawbacks of the sink location by the window in the kitchen, then when re-planning, you must take into account all the nuances, both technical and ergonomic. How to properly transfer the sink under the window opening?

  1. Correct installation of sewer drain. Namely, the correct calculation of the slope of the pipeline to avoid frequent blockages. Based on 1 running meter, the pipe slope should be at least 3 cm. The longer the pipeline is obtained, the greater the slope. To avoid stagnation of water in the drain, the pipes should not bend, which means that they must be attached to the wall.
  2. Heating radiators. The initial location of the heating batteries under the window complicates the installation of the sink at the window. Often there is simply nowhere to move radiators, especially when it comes to small kitchens, where every centimeter of space is involved. And it is impossible to close heating devices, otherwise damp and cold in winter awaits you. One solution remains - to make special slots on the countertop or window sill so that the warm air has room to go. But a part of the heat in this case is equally lost, so you have to take care of an alternative source - warm floors.
  3. Installation of additional equipment. If the sink is sufficiently far from its original plan, namely from the drain pipe to a distance greater than 3 meters, the risk of clogging increases by several times. And even the correct slope of the sewer pipe will not help. Therefore, we strongly recommend installing a disposer - food waste shredder. So, the peel, cleanings and small bones will be crushed before they get into the sewer, and in the form of slurry they easily pass into the drain.
  4. Installation of a special mixer. As we already said, a plumbing fixture can interfere with the usual ventilation of the window, which is unacceptable. Therefore, think about buying a special mixer, reclining or hiding in the hole in the sink. If there is a difference in height between the windowsill and tabletop, then purchase a low mixer that does not interfere with the opening of the wings.

In any case, when designing a kitchen and moving a wet zone under a window, it is necessary to consider not only the desire of the homeowners, but also the technical capabilities of the room.

Kitchen design with sink by the window

A sink by the window must be placed based on the characteristics of a particular room. Of course, the transfer of plumbing, piping and heating equipment is important, but do not forget about the design of the kitchen with a sink by the window.

The window in the kitchen can be located in different ways: to be one large bright spot or narrow and high, to have several wings or be located in the corner of the room. Or maybe you generally have two or more windows or one large full width wall? In each case, all points need to be thought out in advance.

The design of a kitchen with a sink by the window will directly depend on the size and shape of the rooms. So, for example, if the room is elongated, then, having placed the work surface with a sink under the window, we will visually approximate the shape of the room to a rectangle. If the kitchen has the shape of a square, then you can consider a U-shaped or angular set.

We have selected a rather large collection of photos of the kitchen with a sink located under the window (or between two windows) - we hope that the visual information will give you more opportunities to think about the layout and design.

A sink in the kitchen under one window

Of course, most apartments, especially standard ones, have only one window, and often not too large. This applies to apartments in houses of the Khrushchevsky and Brezhnev type. In stalinkas, the windows are often narrow and tall, and in modern new buildings in the kitchen they try to make wide window openings.

Depending on the size and height of the window, you can apply different design chips. For example, hang a series of cabinets above a small window, thereby increasing the number of storage spaces. The space on the sides of the narrow and high windows can also be reserved for wall cabinets or open shelves. And if the kitchen area allows, then the entire wall on which there is a window opening can be left empty and decorated with tiles - we will present a photo of the idea below:

Sink between two windows

A kitchen with a sink under the window is a simpler solution than between two windows. If you are lucky enough to become the owner of a kitchen with a couple of three windows, and you are also going to think about moving the wet zone, you will have to learn more about how to do a sink under the window. The presence of two sources of natural light is possible either in a modern new building, or after replanning and combining a kitchen and another room.

By the way, how to zone the kitchen and living room can be found in this article.

In the case of two windows, you can position the sink either under one of them or between. And on the wall, place a hanging cabinet or open shelves (this will solve the problem of the lack of a dryer for dishes).

Sink in the corner under the window

The presence in the kitchen of two or more windows will give owners a sense of spaciousness and plenty of natural light. However, a kitchen sink under a window (or windows) requires a competent approach to design.

If the windows are located on different walls with one common angle, then in this case there are two possible solutions:

  • Using corner wash,
  • L-shaped kitchen with a beveled corner and a conventional sink.

How to place the sink in the corner under the window - the photos will be more clearly explained: