The design of the window in the kitchen plays no less important role than the design of the apartment or house as a whole. And here we are talking not only about external attractiveness.
Functionality comes first. The level of heat and sound insulation, the amount of light and air depend on the window. Therefore, even before the renovation begins, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons.
Decorating a window in the kitchen
Decorating a kitchen window beautifully is not an easy task. After all, it is necessary to take into account the specifics of the place: constant temperature changes, the presence of odors, excess humidity.
Various options for window decoration using curtains and drapes come to the rescue. However, their choice must also be careful and informed.
Curtains will look out of place in a small kitchen. Roman shades or blinds can be a good solution.
But, if your batteries are not of the best type, it is better to abandon this idea. Then hang beautiful tulle or curtains made of light fabric.
When choosing curtains, it is worth considering the style of the kitchen. If this is a modern style, then Roman blinds, photo curtains or light tulle drapery would be very appropriate.
The minimalist style requires lightness and light. Therefore, Japanese curtains or fabric blinds will come in handy here too. They quickly clean up and the room is filled with daylight.
Country style involves using a lot of fabric. In this case, all textiles must definitely be from the same burlap.
In addition, if there are short curtains hanging on the window, then you can put various decorative items on the windowsill. Most often they are a bowl of fruit (fresh or plastic), a vase of flowers, several pumpkins of different sizes. In general, everything that lifts your spirits.
Additional features of plastic windows
Protection . Every person has a desire to preserve the property acquired by him and his family members. In our country, unfortunately, the crime situation leaves much to be desired: one of the most common types of offenses is burglary, committed by pressing the window sash. Professional “burglars”, with the appropriate skills and with the tools they have, are able to open a standard window in just one minute, without resorting to breaking the double-glazed window... This problem is especially relevant for residents of the extreme floors of multi-storey buildings, since it is their apartments that are the most vulnerable in this plan.
Fortunately for owners and unfortunately for burglars, you can find models of plastic windows on sale, the design of which is already prepared for burglary attempts. Due to their special design, burglary-resistant plastic windows provide effective protection in a complex: a special mushroom-shaped pin is responsible for the impossibility of pressing the frame, and triplex technology ensures the safety of the glass.
Decoration . Installing a so-called layout will help make a window located in the kitchen original and stand out from the background of other windows. The layout consists of slats assembled in a specific pattern, made of plastic and attached both to the outer glass and between the glass panes of the double-glazed window. As a rule, to make a window look richer, it is decorated with a gold layout, but various variations in color are also possible - it all depends on the capabilities of the company that sells light-transmitting structures. Therefore, decorating a plastic window with a layout is quite capable of transforming the kitchen space, making it more comfortable and visually richer.
Kitchen with two windows
A kitchen layout with two windows is not very common. However, if this is your layout, we can say that you are lucky.
Having two windows has its advantages:
- More daylight.
- From a long window sill you can make a bar counter or organize a workplace there.
- Psychologically, there is a better perception of cooking and cleaning the kitchen, since the housewife looks not at the wall, but at the view from the window.
The disadvantages include the following:
- If windows are installed poorly, cold air can enter the room in large quantities.
- The second window occupies part of the wall along which wall cabinets could be hung to store dishes or food.
Designing a kitchen with two windows is not so difficult. The main thing is to combine the opportunities that present themselves with desires.
For example, storage niches can be placed under the windows. If the distance from the floor to the window is within seventy centimeters, then it is better to make a dining area out of the window sills, since in this case the tabletop will be low and it will be inconvenient to work on it.
A place to relax, read books and have a snack
The window sill can be turned into a cozy soft corner with a couple of decorative pillows, where it is pleasant to sit, read a book or leisurely drink a cup of coffee. Even in the kitchen, such a solution will look original, but appropriate. A significant drawback is the need to clean textiles more often than in other rooms. We must not forget that the kitchen has its own microclimate, and no matter how well the hood works, particles of fat and odors will still be absorbed into the fabric. This solution is perfect for private houses with bay windows. A small niche offers privacy, and a short break will take place in double comfort if the window offers a wonderful view of the city or countryside. Wide windows usually have low sills, which can simply be strengthened from below and covered with a mattress to fit. In standard apartments, you will have to dismantle the too-high “shelf” and replace it with a full-fledged mini-sofa, on which guests or the hostess, tired of preparations, can sit. If the width of the window allows, then on one side install several narrow shelves for storing books and decorative trinkets, which will only add coziness.
Tabletop by the kitchen window
Most often, when the kitchen is small and every meter is important to use it functionally, a countertop is installed near the window. For this technique to look harmonious, it is necessary to make the window sill a continuation of the existing table. To do this, it is important that both the window sill and the tabletop are on the same level.
Therefore, before making repairs, you should already know exactly what kind of kitchen furniture you will have. In almost all room layouts, the radiators are located under the windowsill.
In our case, it is better to try to move the radiators to another place, and make shelves under the tabletop for storing kitchen utensils or other necessary items.
We talked in more detail about kitchen storage here and here.
In a small kitchen it will be very harmonious and functional if the countertop, which is installed instead of a window sill, smoothly transitions into a bar counter. Then you will get a fairly large dining area.
For a medium-sized kitchen, a countertop instead of a window sill can be a separate work area.
You should also remember that it is necessary to leave free space for opening the window sashes. Therefore, you should not place tall objects or decorated vases on such a tabletop.
If you still can’t leave that many centimeters, then it is recommended to install a sliding window that opens like a wardrobe.
Let's consider which material is most optimal for a tabletop near a window.
Most often used:
- chipboard;
- stone;
- marble;
- MDF.
The most budget option would be chipboard and MDF. At the same time, you can make the countertop yourself, since processing these materials is quite easy. But it is worth remembering that chipboard and MDF should not be wetted too much or too often. Otherwise, such a tabletop will not serve you for long.
Marble or stone is used very rarely and most often in expensive interiors. If the kitchen is very small, then you can design a folding tabletop. It is easily adjustable and does not clutter up the kitchen space.
Storage system under the window
In cases where the housewife has already despaired of finding free space to place pots and dishes, designers offer a simple but original option. The empty space under the window is filled with shelves. They can be either open or closed. The second option is used if the zone is made a continuation of the kitchen unit. The only problem in this case can be the batteries, which are most often located under the windows. You can leave them and simply not store food on the shelves, but only kitchen utensils that are not afraid of heat. Or you will have to undertake a more major renovation and redo the entire heating system in the kitchen, moving the radiator to another location. The lid of such a bedside table is used as an additional work area or as a window sill for flower pots and other decorative items, as before.
Sink by the kitchen window
When a renovation is started, you want the result not only to look beautiful, but also for all the things and details to be as functional as possible. This is especially true for small kitchens. Modern kitchen design includes a sink near the window. This has its advantages.
Very often the place by the window is not involved in any way in the interior. Washing by the window frees up additional space. So, where it was previously located, you can make a working surface.
This technique will help save electricity. Since most often the sink is located in a corner where there is little light, you always have to turn on the light. If you install the sink near the window, then this need disappears.
Uplifting mood. The reluctance to wash dishes is caused by the monotony of the work, plus your gaze always rests on the wall. When you wash by the window, you will be able to watch everything that is happening on the street, and a beautiful view from the window can bring a little joy to the process of washing dishes.
Of course, with such a layout, difficulties during repairs cannot be avoided. But don't be afraid in advance. Everything has a solution. So the question immediately arises, where to put the battery?
Old layouts do not provide for the possibility of moving radiators. But technology does not stand still. A heated floor can serve as an excellent heater. Therefore, the batteries are simply removed.
Moving the sink to the window will also require lengthening the pipes that lead to the water riser. You will have to spend money and think wisely about how to disguise the pipes.
Also, if the sink is more than three meters away from the riser, it is recommended to install a food chopper, which will prevent large waste from getting into the pipe and clogging it.
A problem arises such as splashes on the window. But this problem is completely solvable. You can move the sink as far as possible from the window using a window sill.
Another way is to install not a metal sink, but one made of granite or stone. This material does not allow water droplets to repel and fly away over a long distance.
In older kitchen layouts, the window sill is located above the level of the countertop. This creates an additional barrier against splashes hitting the window.
It is worth noting that if there is a sink near the window, it may be difficult to open it. The modern design of the equipment allows the installation of removable taps. All you need to do is just bend it and then you can safely open the window. Or you can install a small height mixer.
Window decoration options
Traditionally, the window opening is decorated with curtains and tulle. The decor of the window plays an important role, because it determines how much it will “play” in the interior. To appreciate this difference more clearly, pay attention to the “bare” frame during repairs or cleaning and to the neat curtains that add coziness. The perception of the room in these cases changes radically. There are a lot of varieties of main decorations. The cornice also has its own “weight”. Recently, the market has been offering original models with bizarre shapes. Cornices are single, multi-row, string, round, wall and ceiling. The leading materials are metal, wood and plastic. There are many ways to attach curtains to curtain rods, but the most popular are:
- Rings (like in the bathroom) with clips or hooks;
- Clothespins;
- Ties;
- Kuliska;
- Loops.
“Clothespins” with toothed clamps, which everyone is accustomed to, are already a thing of the past due to their impracticality. They easily damaged delicate tissue and left “bite” marks after long use.
Curtains and tulle
The role of curtains and tulle in the interior is determined in advance even before purchase. They can be:
- The highlight of the design, bright and catchy, which guests will pay attention to first.
- A neutral background against which the decor itself will sparkle with bright colors.
Next you need to decide on the form:
- Short curtains. Suitable for those kitchens in which the window sill is not used for its intended purpose, and the additional space cannot be heavily covered with fabric.
- Long curtains and floor-length tulle. A timeless classic that is suitable for stylish and simple interiors (modern, industrial).
- Curtains with garters (cutas) and lambrequins. They look beautiful in kitchens decorated in Provence, vintage or Victorian styles.
- Mobile panels.
- Curtains gathered along the length.
- Thread curtains.
For the culinary “center” of the apartment, it is better to give preference to thin, practical natural textiles that are easy to wash, because the fabric will accumulate odors. Synthetics will quickly become unusable after such use.
Roman curtains
Roman blinds are both elegant and simple; they are sometimes also called roller blinds. As the name implies, the ancestors of modern Italians came up with this method of curtaining windows back during the existence of the great empire. Surprisingly, the general design has not changed much since the invention of curtains, only more variations of the basic material have appeared. A canvas is attached to the cornice, which is “strung” along its entire length on special horizontal pins. They form beautifully flowing folds, and a weighting agent is attached to the bottom of the curtain, which fixes the shape. The entire structure is adjustable using a chain or cord. The curtains can be raised and lowered to the desired length. The Roman version is practical, it fits well into almost any kitchen design and can only look ridiculous in a pretentious, rich interior.
Austrian curtains
Austrian curtains reach the floor in length. Using a cord, they are lifted up to the required length, and the material forms neat wavy folds, divided into sections along the entire length of the canvas. The higher the curtain is raised, the more voluminous the fabric gathers. An elegant option using deep, noble shades of blue, burgundy, and brown will look elegant in a kitchen decorated in accordance with the canons of the Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo or Antique style. Translucent fabric with a light floral pattern is suitable for Provence, Italian, Greek motifs or romanticism.
French curtains
At first glance, French curtains are very similar to Austrian ones. They are really based on the same idea: the fabric is stitched from the wrong side along the entire length with threads that form “sections” and gather the material into folds. But Austrian curtains, when “straightened” to the floor, have a smooth surface, while in the French version, flirty ruffles always remain. When the lifting mechanism is activated, there are simply more of them. If you choose white or pastel shades, then this option looks incredibly airy and light, as if the window is covered by a light cloud of thin, translucent fabric. Heavy materials for sewing French curtains are not used as a matter of principle; they will destroy the atmosphere of flirtatious and sophisticated France. This option is combined with the traditional style of the French countryside - Provence. They can be floor-length, medium or short in length. There are also two types:
- Static;
- Movable.
The first option is used only for short curtains that do not have to be raised.
Kiseya
By muslin we mean dense, thick (from 1 mm to 1 cm in diameter) threads. It is made from natural materials (cotton, linen, silk) and synthetic (polyester). Recently, preference is given to the latter: they do not fade, do not wrinkle and last a long time. Kiseya has a number of advantages:
- It lets a lot of light into the room;
- Does not collect dust;
- Has little weight;
- It is easy to handle with your own hands. When trimmed, the threads do not unravel.
Kisey decorates not only windows, but also openings without doors. Neat, weightless threads do not interfere at all when leaving the room and cover the window just as unobtrusively. The muslin set usually comes with special ribbons with ties, magnets or clothespins. If necessary, such curtains can be attached to the sides of the window. This option looks very impressive, especially if you choose a rich shade or color gradation with an ombre effect.
Roller blinds
Roller blinds are classified by type of design.
- Open system. It consists of a shaft on which the fabric is wound, a lower bar and a control mechanism: an electric drive, a spring holder or a cord.
- Closed system. It is additionally equipped with a box that fixes the material, presses it tightly to the window and does not allow it to sag.
The preferred fabric materials are cotton, nylon and polyester. Roller blinds can be plain, printed, matte or glossy. In the kitchen, this option is practical and convenient. The design is well suited for windows facing the shady side, where during the day there is no need for tulle. Roller blinds are combined with blinds. To avoid the feeling of a government premises, choose material with original patterns that fit into the overall design.
Japanese panels
Kitchen window design using Japanese panels is usually laconic and simple. This option is suitable for minimalism, avant-garde and the style of the same name. According to the type of construction, Japanese panels are divided into two types:
- Simple. There is only one groove in a special cornice, with the help of which the curtains synchronously move or diverge to the sides.
- Complex. The cornice has several multilayer grooves, which allows you to move each panel individually in the desired direction. This option is convenient if you need to regulate the level of illumination in the room.
For kitchens, the first type is mainly used, since there is no particular need to constantly move the panels in this room. They are simply closed at night so that what is happening indoors cannot be seen from the street, or during the day when the sun shines completely mercilessly. Japanese panels are characterized by a long service life, as they wear out little. At the bottom of the canvas there are special weights that ensure its uniform tension.
Japanese panels look original when each panel has its own color and print, and together they complement each other.
Blinds
Blinds in the kitchen have a number of advantages:
- They don't collect odors;
- Easy installation;
- They are easy to wash;
- The room illumination is easily adjustable.
Horizontal blinds are used more often than vertical ones. They fit more tightly to the glass and allow you to open the windows freely, without constantly changing the mode. This design happens:
- Overhead type;
- Built-in (interframe).
The last option is only suitable for wooden windows. Vertical blinds are most often made of fabric, but this option is not suitable for the kitchen. Unfortunately, they will quickly absorb odors and collect dust. For this room, only segments with a vinyl coating are suitable, which can be washed periodically. Roll-up construction is used very rarely in the kitchen, as it is considered outdated and interferes with opening windows. Blinds are made of aluminum, plastic, fabric, wood and combined materials. All types except fabric are suitable for the kitchen area. Contrary to misconceptions based on boring office options, blinds come in a variety of shades, color gradations, patterns and prints.
Narrow windows are visually expanded with horizontal blinds, and overly wide windows can be extended in length using vertical segmentation of the structure.
Using window space correctly
It is not necessary to install a countertop or bar counter instead of a window sill. There are many ways to properly use every free meter near the window. For example, you can organize a place to store kitchen appliances and appliances.
Do not clutter up the space by the window with anything, but decorate it beautifully with curtains and other decorative items. You can put a small dining table nearby. Then, during breakfast, lunch or dinner, you will have before your eyes everything that is happening on the street at that time.
Make a small “green corner”. Flowers and other indoor plants are sure to be a delight to the eye while cooking or cleaning. However, this option is only suitable for large kitchens.
Don't be discouraged if you have a small kitchen. As you can see, a window can help you decide on the distribution of furniture and storage space.
To make the interior look harmonious, seek help from a professional designer. If you don’t have extra money for this, and their services are not cheap, then you can look at photographs of real interiors and apply some idea in your kitchen.
Windows in the bay window
Bay windows look stylish and elegant. If they represent a whole composition of several meters, then the window sills are completely removed and the same curved kitchen set is installed. The entire work area will be constantly illuminated from the street, and the hostess will enjoy the panoramic view. The bay window can also be used to arrange a resting place. A low curved sofa will become a separate mini-room in a large kitchen, where those who want privacy can hide. A dining area is being set up right next to the bay window. The windows themselves are decorated only with classic long floor-length curtains. Diners will have a great opportunity to breathe fresh air in the summer and admire the local beauty.
Kitchen design with a window (real photos)
Types of windows
Window construction has many properties and comes in different types.
The last feature is explained:
- Composition – wood, plastic, aluminum, combination (wood plus plastic, wood plus aluminum, etc.);
- Area – from 0.36 m to 3 sq.m or more, if the glazing covers the entire wall;
- Shape – round, arched, square, rectangular;
- Type of glazing – standard (separate glass sheets), energy-saving (multi-chamber double-glazed window);
- The number of sashes is from one to four (unique windows provide many more separate elements).
Most photos of a kitchen with a window show rectangular glazing with one to three sashes. The more sashes, the easier it is to open windows for ventilation or repairs.
On the other hand, modern windows often have supply valves to ensure uniform air exchange and prevent condensation between the panes. And if the glazing comes in the form of a double-glazed window, then a de-fogging drying frame is provided inside it.
The main thing is that the double-glazed window matches the climate: in the southern regions - one- or two-chamber blocks, in the northern regions - two- or three-chamber blocks.
Arched and square windows are more suitable for kitchens inside private houses. But if the residential structure is made in high-tech style, then frameless glazing can be used.
It looks doubly advantageous if there is a corner kitchen with a window that extends from the flooring to the ceiling. This place can lead to a winter garden or garden pergola.
Basic principles of window design without curtains
Having resolved the problem of bright sunlight entering the apartment and getting rid of prying glances, you can think about the decor itself.
Of course, even the most modern “bare” window will not improve the interior of the home and certainly will not add comfort and warmth to it. In order for the window to evoke a pleasant impression and, together with the opening, to fit harmoniously into the decor of the apartment, it is not necessary to decorate it with massive and eye-catching elements. This method works well in spacious halls and halls, but in modern apartments it often creates an oppressive feeling, visually reducing the area. For this reason, minimalist window design methods are becoming increasingly popular, in which decorations only emphasize the beauty of structures, unobtrusively framing them and placing accents.
The basic principles of this design are to preserve natural light in the apartment as much as possible, and also to avoid a clutter of unnecessary details that depersonalize the window and deprive it of its individuality.
Plants on the windowsill
Using plants in the kitchen allows you to complement the interior. Various types of indoor flowers can be used. It is necessary to highlight the following advantages of using indoor flowers:
- plants purify the air;
- flowering plants decorate the windowsill;
- some indoor flowers, such as geraniums, tend to repel pests;
- plants on the windowsill make the room cozy.
It is not recommended to use plants that require complex care in the kitchen. Vapors from the cooking process can negatively affect their growth. It is better to give preference to begonias, pelargonium, dracaena, coleus, indoor pepper, and money tree.
Several types of indoor flowers can be used to decorate the kitchen. However, you should avoid having too many plants.
Plants in the kitchen
The design of a window opening in the kitchen can be done in different styles. For decoration, it is necessary to select materials that will harmoniously fit into the overall design of the room. For small kitchens it is better to use light shades and lightweight materials, while in spacious rooms combinations of several types of fabrics will look beneficial.
