Window sill-countertop in the interior design of the kitchen
A countertop window sill is an excellent solution for a kitchen interior in a small apartment. Such a design can look very stylish and unusual, and also allows you to significantly save space in a small kitchen - even in spacious rooms, this option is often used as an additional table. Read on to learn more about stylish patterns and window sill countertop placement.
Peculiarities
This modern design solution has both pros and cons. Some people really like this compact design, which combines a window sill and a table, however, others may find it uncomfortable. If you have not yet decided whether you need a countertop window sill in your kitchen, you should pay attention to the following features:
- First of all, you need to keep in mind that such a table will be quite narrow - most often this solution resembles a bar counter. This is ideal for a family of one or two people, however, for more people, this option may be inconvenient.
- Often, the windows are not well positioned to attach a countertop to them, which will inevitably be slightly wider than a standard window sill. In addition, there will be chairs next to it - in many layouts, this arrangement will block the passage.
In this case, it is better to consider other options.
- If the width of the countertop is not enough for you, you can extend it in length by making a bend. So, instead of a regular table, you will have an L-shaped bar counter that will be comfortable enough even for a large family. In this case, the correct layout is important - the disadvantages of this design include the fact that the curved part with chairs takes up a lot of space and is comparable to a small ordinary table.
- In a spacious kitchen, such an unusual design option will allow you to successfully divide the room into zones - for example, a window sill-table top can serve for a meal for children, or a window sill can become a convenient place for working at a computer, studying or creating.
- Many people like the idea of a countertop instead of a window sill, as this will allow you to admire the view from the window while eating. If you have a large bright window with a beautiful view, it is definitely worth adding a small table to it - both as the main dining table and as an additional option.
Design
The design of countertops can be extremely varied - modern solutions make it possible to successfully place such a structure both in an ordinary “Khrushchev” building and in a spacious house in a classic style. First of all, it is worth choosing a tabletop based on its design.
Modern folding models can be very convenient. For a family dinner, they can be expanded to a full table, and the rest of the time the narrow window sill will not restrict your movement. This is the ideal solution for a small kitchen or studio apartment in which you want to free up space as much as possible.
However, many find this option inconvenient due to the need to fold and unfold the structure too often.
Often, a built-in kitchen unit can be placed under the countertop - if you do not have enough drawers in the main unit to accommodate all the dishes and products, such a combined design will be convenient.It is best to store things in there that you don't use every day, such as some pots or kitchen appliances. This solution is more suitable for long window sills - the box can be placed on the side.
If the boxes are along the entire length, it will be uncomfortable to sit at such a table.
If one window sill is not enough for you, the tabletop can be extended in length: the most successful option, from the point of view of space saving, is a corner tabletop. Moreover, this option is only possible with a certain layout. Another option is a tabletop that turns into a regular full table: this design is suitable for large families in a spacious apartment. Finally, the countertop can be continued with a bar counter - this is the most common option, although some find it impractical.
In the interior, the appearance of the countertop will also be important. First of all, pay attention to its shape:
- Most often, the countertop sill has a rectangular shape.... This is a versatile option that will fit into almost any interior style. This shape is very convenient if you are making a miniature countertop that is approximately the same size as the window sill. If you are making a wider table in a small kitchen, it makes sense to make smooth corners so as not to accidentally bump into them.
- Semicircular table top Is another good option. It can be a model made of a solid layer of material or a folding transformable model, from which a narrower rectangular table can be made. A semicircular tabletop is more often typical for traditional interiors: it is suitable for Provencal, neoclassical, country or colonial style.
- In modern interiors, the tabletop can have whimsical abstract shapes. Often these are not only visually interesting solutions, but also models that are convenient from a functional point of view. For example, recesses in the right places will help save space and optimize the layout, but it makes sense to make the dining area for each family member wider.
Modern countertops also differ in their material. Consider the following trendy and trendy options:
- Models are inexpensive and popular made of plastic - they can have a wide color palette and perfectly fit into various interiors in a modern style.
High-quality plastic can be quite durable and serve for a long time, however, you need to be wary of the effects of hot dishes - it is better to immediately purchase coasters for hot dishes.
- Often countertops are made from natural wood - This is an excellent option for furnishing a country or modern home. Wood is a pleasant natural material that will delight you for years to come.
In this case, the surface should also be protected from the effects of temperature and excess moisture.
- Now countertops are also made acrylic stone Is a cheaper replacement for natural stone. The material is heavy, so only a very miniature table can be placed in place of the window sill, otherwise additional legs will be required for support. Otherwise, acrylic stone is ideal for the kitchen - it is practical, durable, and the colors and textures can be of any kind.
The table can be decorated with natural marble or colored, to provide a mirror-like smoothness of the surface or to make it rough. Everything will depend on your idea and interior.
Finally, it's worth taking care of the right color scheme for your countertop. Since window sills are usually light, dark countertops are rarely placed in their place. However, everything will depend on the specific design. When choosing a color, it is worth starting from the style of your interior:
- Complex composite shades are suitable for modern interior options.... If you have a small kitchen, these should be light options - cream, lilac, olive and warm gray look great.If you do not need to visually expand the space, you can consider bright and dark options: chocolate and woody shades, lilac, dark blue, rich beige.
- If you have a country style interior, it is better to choose a wooden countertop or a countertop, decorated with wood... These can be different natural shades - light, red or dark options will create the atmosphere of an alpine chalet in the house. If you want a Provencal style interior, pastel-colored wood will help you recreate the comfort of a home in a French countryside.
- For classic and baroque interiors choose bright hues... Mostly, this is a pure white color, however, beige, pinkish and blue options are possible.
- Neoclassicism and Art Nouveau are characterized by dark shades of wood. If you have a table made of plastic or stone, unusual deep natural tones may be suitable: dark green, burgundy, mustard.
How to do it?
The countertop sill can be purchased in hypermarkets for renovation, among other furniture items. However, if you love creating things with your own hands, it is quite possible to build a countertop yourself. It will be easiest if you just replace your old windowsill with a countertop. If you need to combine two window sills or attach a bar counter, such projects can also be implemented, however, it will be more difficult.
If you are going to make a countertop window sill with your own hands, consider a number of the following nuances:
- You should start with a drawing of your future countertop and the choice of materials. If you choose the option made of wood, plastic or plywood, with the right tools, you can easily cut out the product of the required shape and trim it - all you have to do is purchase materials, make markings and devote time to monotonous work. It is more difficult to work with a stone - it is worth taking on this business only if you have already had a similar experience.
- Installation can be of two types - in one case, the tabletop will adjoin the existing window sill, and the other option involves the use of a solid plate. When installing the countertop to the finished window sill, you will not have the opportunity to raise the level, and the second method easily allows you to do this.
It is not recommended to lower the solid tabletop below the window sill that was in its place: for this, you will have to deform the wall, and this may be unsafe for the structure of the building.
- If you are installing a tabletop to a window sill, for this you need to lubricate the joint edges with a sealant with a hardener. After that, connect the edges, wait until dry and polish the joints.
- The most aesthetically pleasing worktops are made of a solid layer of material. To install them, you must first dismantle the window sill. Cutting modern plastic window sills is not difficult at all. If you have a stone sill in an old house, it will be more difficult to destroy it. After dismantling, mark the joints with the tabletop on the wall and attach the product using a sealant - the technology is the same as in the case of attaching the table to the existing window sill.
Tips & Tricks
Reviews of countertops instead of window sills are ambiguous: some people find this solution convenient, while others do not like a narrow table adjacent to the wall. One way or another, if you have a small kitchen, this solution is often the best. To make the tabletop comfortable, beautiful and practical, pay attention to the advice of designers.
When choosing a countertop, proceed from your needs. For a company of two, a small, compact version will be enough, and if you have a large family, you should look for ways to expand the table - for example, continue the bar counter along the wall or choose a folding tabletop.
At the same time, if there is really a lot of people in the family, sometimes it is easier to put an ordinary table.
If the dining table near the window seems uncomfortable to you, you can use this space for cooking - in this case, you can successfully place the kitchen set from below, and the tabletop itself is perfect for cooking. This option is relevant not only for small apartments. Even in a spacious kitchen, it is worth allocating additional space for cooking if the window is located close to the stove.
Consider the layout of the room. If you are not sure how well a wide tabletop with chairs will fit into the space near the window, measure everything accurately.
It is important to understand how much space the dining area will eventually take and whether you will be comfortable in such a room.
In any design, it is important to highlight the semantic center of the room - often it is the dining table. The window sill-countertop can also be brightly decorated: choose a contrasting color, place fresh flowers there or frame the dining area with bright curtains. It will be especially successful if there is a large and light window near the countertop, or if the countertop has an unusual shape and extends beyond the window sill. In other cases, you can focus on another area of the kitchen - for example, on a kitchen set.
Beautiful examples
The countertop window sill for the kitchen is an unusual and complex design solution in its own way. If you have not decided on the color, material or size, check out real examples of interior design. Perhaps one of the following ideas will work for you:
- In order for a small kitchen to visually expand, it is important not to divide the space - a white countertop against a white wall will look great. If you expand it beyond the window sill, visually it will be almost imperceptible, however, the practical value will be significant.
- In a modern interior, it makes sense to consider the design of a bright countertop. Nevertheless, if the kitchen is very small, the combination of disparate shades of color in different parts of it can look too flashy and even vulgar. To avoid this and create the most seamless design project, it is worth attaching the countertop to the kitchen set.
- If you are looking for a truly stylish and unusual solution for a modern interior, you should consider a dark stone countertop. Combined with a panoramic window and bright high chairs, it can look great. In this case, the built-in tabletop does not look like a forced solution to save space - it is a full-fledged design highlight in the interior.
You can learn how to make a kitchen countertop with your own hands from the following video.
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