- If you are planning to implement this idea in houses outside the city, the best option would be to make an interesting countertop made of natural wood.
A very cozy option for decorating a workspace, based on a window sill-countertop, in the corridor of a private house outside the city
Since this idea is relatively new, it is problematic to buy ready-made structures of the required parameters, shapes and materials. But this is not a problem, because a custom-made window sill in a room is an ideal solution.
When the countertop from the windowsill is relevant
The decision to make a tabletop combined with a window sill is suitable in the following cases:
- When the window opening has large dimensions in depth - at least 40 cm.This option is the simplest and most inexpensive, since the protruding part of the board is not necessarily equipped with a support, but with an increase in width to 60 cm or more, it can go into the surface of the curbstone or table.
- Insufficient amount of natural light entering the room or kitchen, then a tabletop is specially created near the window, smoothly turning into the window sill.
- When you need to combine several pieces of furniture in order to maintain the style of the interior. This option is suitable if the kitchen furniture, children's or bedroom set are located along a larger wall with a window and the rupture of the headset elements will break the single line of the design.
The table top, combined with the window sill, increases the working space
The indisputable plus of this option is that harmony is maintained between the existing furniture and additional elements, in particular the countertop combined with the window sill... In addition to increasing the working surface and improving aesthetic performance, increased convenience and comfort are created.
Interesting use cases for window sills
So, we have already talked about the work surface in the kitchen, but you can go further, for example, embed a sink right in front of the window, which will free up some more space. In a spacious dining room, using the windowsill, you can make a circular cooking area around the entire perimeter of the room, which is very convenient in a large family, where at least two housewives perform sacraments in the kitchen.
In the rest room from the window sill, attaching the head of the bed to it, you can make a kind of shelf above the bed. At the same time, the space can be quite spacious, that is, there will be enough space for a couple of lamps with lampshades, and magazines with books, and, of course, an alarm clock. In the living room, by the window, a curbstone will perfectly fit, on which you can organize a place to relax by making a soft couch. The end result is something like a tall sofa. You can come up with many more different options for using the window sill, up to combining it with a mantel.
- Author: Mikhail Malofeev
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Materials for making
The most original solution is the installation of a universal tabletop on the windowsill, which performs two functions. Different materials can be used to create it, so you should always take this issue seriously, because it depends on how comfortable and durable the surface will be. It is also necessary to take into account in which room it is planned to install a new combined panel or replace the old window sill with a countertop.
The market offers a large number of materials that are suitable for making a window sill in the form of a table top. This could be:
- Natural or artificial stone;
- Different types of wood;
- Chipboard and MDF;
- Plastic, also with acrylic coating.
Each of the above materials has its own advantages and disadvantages. When choosing, one should take into account what loads the window sill countertop will withstand, and what factors will affect it: mechanical stress, high humidity, the presence of fat accumulations in the air.
Natural stone is the most reliable and durable, therefore it is suitable for the kitchen window sill.
The most durable window sills are made from natural stone
The main advantages of the material are:
- resistance to mechanical and chemical influences;
- high rates of aesthetics;
- non-susceptibility to fading even when exposed to direct sunlight;
- high thermal stability;
- durability.
Among the disadvantages: heavy weight, high price, difficulty in processing.
An alternative to natural stone is an artificial analogue, for the manufacture of which special materials are used. With a countertop made of artificial stone, you can not be afraid of causing all sorts of mechanical damage, liquid spilled on the surface (tea, coffee, wine), you can put hot dishes. Despite the high price compared to other materials, there is the possibility of choosing a more affordable option.
Artificial stone surfaces are not afraid of mechanical stress
Wood is practically not used in the kitchen, but it can be used under a window sill in a room or on a balcony. The disadvantages are: exposure to moisture, mechanical stress, the need for special care.
Wooden window sill countertop is most often installed in a room or on a balcony
The budget option is chipboard or MDF, which can be used to create countertops in the kitchen and in the room. Despite the presence of some disadvantages (lack of heat resistance, susceptibility to mechanical stress), there are also advantages:
- moisture resistance;
- easy care;
- aesthetics;
- a large selection of colors;
- affordable price.
The most affordable material for the countertop window sill is plastic.
A plastic countertop combined with a window sill fits well into the design of the kitchen, room, balcony. It is a material that is resistant to moisture and thermal influences, which is the most affordable in terms of cost. Plastic is presented in a wide variety of textures, acrylic counterparts especially win in design.
How to do it yourself
In order to cope with the task at hand and make a suitable type of countertop with your own hands, you need to stock up on tools and buy the appropriate material. But first, it is advisable to make a drawing of the future window sill, turning into the countertop, and measure all the details.
The accuracy of calculations is very important, since the future table must correspond to the area of the room and perform its functions.
There can be several installation methods:
- adjoining an existing board;
- creating a solid slab that is cut to size.
Countertop window sill scheme
In the first option, it is necessary to ensure a tight fit of the two canvases. If the material is a stone, then the abutting edges are lubricated with a sealant with a hardener (1: 2), after which the two parts quickly move and the joint is polished. Table cabinets serve as a support.
A panel made of other materials will look more aesthetically pleasing as a solid sheet, which is cut to size and looks monolithic.
Almost under every window there is a heating radiator and, if it is impossible to move it to another place, then when installing the window sill-table top, this moment must be taken into account and special holes must be created.
Preparatory work
To make a window sill table based on a window with a width (150-180 cm), you will need:
- Finished worktop from chipboard or MDF. The thickness of the workpiece must be such that the windows can be opened without touching the table.
- Chrome metal posts - 2 pcs.
- Joker mounting system - 4 pcs.
- Mounting perforated profiles.
- Impregnation for wood (in place of cuts).
- Self-tapping screws.
- Polyurethane foam.
The execution is not difficult, but you need a lot of tools. Of course, you can get by with ingenuity and one "shura", but to work with comfort you will have to buy. The task can be simplified by using the Bosch configurator. The platform offers a line of basic tools and a single battery for all models. Buy a jigsaw, drill and screwdriver at the lowest price, complete them with 1 common battery and save on unnecessary charges and batteries.
What tool will we use:
- Electric jigsaw (jigsaw).
- Drill screwdriver.
- Perforator.
- Roulette.
- Level.
Installation
We cut out a tabletop of the desired shape from a chipboard sheet. We cut the workpiece along the contour with a jigsaw. An important point: if you are an idealist, then one jigsaw will not be enough. The tool does not remove chips that have appeared during the cutting process. So that there is no “torn edge”, the chips should be processed with a milling cutter. If you cut the tabletop yourself, raw cuts remain. They can be sealed with edging tape. Most often it is sold with ready-made chipboard countertops (in a single color scheme). The tape is held on an adhesive basis. All that is needed is to attach it to the edge and iron it with a hot iron.
Advice: the bottom of the tabletop can be reinforced with a bar, and the table stands can be subsequently attached to it (especially convenient if the tabletop is thin). Bars are fastened with PVA glue and self-tapping screws.
Remember the battery and the "thermal curtain". We cut small holes in the countertop above the radiator so that the air rises up. The diameter of the holes is at least 3.5 cm (if they are round). You can make longitudinal (these are convenient to close with decorative metal grilles).
We attach the finished tabletop to the window opening on metal connectors with perforations (or furniture ties). We bend the profile by 90 °. We attach one part to the workpiece, the other to the wall. Fill the space between the countertop and the opening with construction foam (do not forget about the seams and slopes).
Tip: do not fasten the tabletop only with liquid nails, supplement the fasteners with self-tapping screws.
We install additional supports - legs
If the outgoing part of the table top is equal to the part that lies at the base of the window frame, then legs are needed. So that the legs do not "fidget" back and forth, we fix them on the floor with "jokers".
Tip: Slide both flanges onto the leg at the same time before installing. After you have secured the lower one, the upper one will no longer be possible to put on, there simply will be no room for it.
Finally, the leg is fixed with a screw on the flange. Remember, regular stands will not work. They must have a thread at the bottom. The leg is screwed into the rack and placed in the spacer.
Done! The resulting design can easily withstand not only the weight of books and papers, but also a computer, laptop, etc.
How to replace a regular kitchen window sill with a countertop
A countertop sill is installed in the kitchen after the old panel is dismantled. This is one of the best solutions in a small kitchen, since the element does not take up free space, you can build a transforming structure when the top of the table is folding and folds when not needed.
A countertop instead of a window sill in the kitchen solves the problem of preserving the design of the kitchen unit, which, when disconnected, loses its attractiveness. And since the small kitchen does not allow it to be installed elsewhere, this is one of the best options. It is necessary to select the material and color for the interior of the kitchen and only then start working. You can turn a window sill into a work surface or dining table in a short time in the kitchen with your own hands.
Installation in the nursery and in the rooms
An equally functional solution is a countertop window sill in the room. This model is a continuation of the window and can be used as a place for a child to study. The continuation of the window sill in the nursery allows you to use the surface for different purposes, for example, for storing toys, and schoolchildren can place educational supplies, books, discs.
In the children's window sill, the tabletop can simultaneously serve as a table for classes
This is also the only solution for a small room, because a variety of objects or a shelf in the form of a small shelf can be easily placed on an additional platform.... To achieve these goals, a wooden tabletop, which goes well with a desk, is quite suitable. The part can be adjacent to the window sill, or a kind of step is made when the window sill is below or above the level of the table top. The transition element must be attached at the junction with the window sill.
Advantages and disadvantages
To finally decide whether to make a table, or leave the window sill in its original form, we will consider all the advantages and disadvantages of this design.
Window sill table top with an incredible view from the window.
Benefits:
- Saving space;
- The modern look of the room is created;
- Good lighting (especially useful for the work area).
Eat breakfast at the windowsill dining table, enjoying the vista.
Disadvantages:
- The circulation of warm air in the room is disrupted during the operation of heating devices under the table;
- Excessive lighting in clear weather;
- The inability to use long curtains (which is not always good for the living room).
Organize your desktop windowsill by finding inspiration in the beauty of nature before your eyes.
Tabletop-window sill on the balcony
Replacing the window sill on the balcony is associated with the installation of the window structure and this is the best moment when you can completely change the interior and apply a modern approach. For example, if the additional area is initially planned to be used as an office, then you can install a tabletop, which will be a continuation of the bedside table or desk. Corner models look very original, where docking is carried out not along the length of the balcony, but from the end. To create an interesting solution, you can lower or raise the window sill.
Window sill countertop on the balcony is used as an original design solution
When choosing a material, one must proceed from the characteristics of a given room. In terms of performance, plastic is best suited, including with an acrylic coating, as well as artificial stone. The use of a wooden analogue of beech, oak, ash, cherry is not excluded. Such a countertop sill fits well into the interior if there is no window and a door to the balcony, but it was installed instead of a window sill in the room. In this case, it should be in harmony with the design solution of the room and balcony.
If you have questions about how to make a tabletop out of a window sill, and how to replace a window sill, you should not spoil the material and waste time - it is better to entrust the installation on the balcony, in the room or in the kitchen to specialists.
Ideas for living rooms
- By installing a worktop in the bedroom on a window sill, the latter can be turned into a headboard with a shelf. It can also act as a sideboard or chest of drawers.If you place a fireplace under it in the living room, the atmosphere will become more comfortable and cozy. Both of these options are possible when there is no heating radiator under the window.
- In the office or children's rooms, the window sill-tabletop will serve as a desktop on which you can place computers or organize a school space for doing lessons. Moreover, a table in such a place is a very rational arrangement. So, it is in this place that there will be an abundance of natural light.
- The countertop on the windowsill in the office will look very organic if shelves or racks are placed on both sides of the window.
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