Window sills were not previously considered as a useful area of an apartment. The "ceiling" of their use is a place to place flower pots. Although the window sill is really ideal for photophilous plants, in recent years it has been used for other purposes. It would seem, how can I transform a narrow countertop, most often placed above a radiator and curtained with tulle? However, the designers found a way out of this situation and came up with an original version - a window sill table. This area is suitable both for work and for relaxing with a cup of tea. A windowsill can be a writing, computer, dining or ironing table. What exactly it is worth turning into, only the owner decides, relying on the functionality of the room and the lack of space for a specific pastime. For example, it’s more logical to place desks instead of window sills in the living rooms or bedrooms, and for dining the kitchen will be an ideal place. Let's talk about how to make and fix the countertop yourself, which will be required.
"Books" with hinged covers. It is quite difficult to make such a model with your own hands, however, when closed, the table will not interfere and will turn into a regular window sill. Similar models used to be in every Soviet apartment waiting for guests and plentiful treats.
Static tables. In this case, the countertop is mounted “tightly” and remains in this position throughout the operation.
With retractable worktops. They are made according to the principles of universal computer tables, where a separate shelf for the keyboard “travels”, thanks to a simple mechanism. The idea of replacing a window sill with a comfortable, functional table has a number of advantages:
A window sill table will save energy. If you work in the daytime, then table lamps are not required, as they will be replaced by sunlight.
A window sill table is ideal for cramped apartments and studios, as a replacement for multifunctional furniture. In housing, where each square meter is worth its weight in gold, such a solution will organically fit into the high-tech, minimalism and loft styles.
The radiator under the countertop will be a pleasant addition in the winter: the person working at the table will not have to worry about warming their legs, and the pleasant warmth will give a feeling of home comfort.
However, replacing a typical window sill with a table is fraught with a number of difficulties:
The heating radiator is placed under the window for a reason. Hot air from the battery mixes with cold air that enters from the street.As a result, drafts are not “walking” in the apartment, which would be especially noticeable in the winter season. In addition, the presence of a radiator under the window does not allow the windows to constantly fog up. The countertop should not impede the circulation of hot air, so you will have to make holes in it. So that such a solution does not spoil the aesthetics of the interior, it can be organically woven into the design. For example, round holes that combine with a similar pattern on wallpaper or curtains will look stylish. They can also be supplemented by installing glass balls on a table or other decor that emphasizes simple geometry.
For window decor, you can no longer use long curtains and tulle. This drawback can be safely attributed to the category of relative, since the curtains on the floor are for the most part the destiny of classical styles. In modern areas, laconicism is appreciated, which means that compact blinds or Roman curtains will harmoniously fit into the design composition of a loft, fusion, high-tech, modern and even futurism.
The usual PVC window sill, which is attached to standard double-glazed windows, is not designed for heavy loads. In addition, it is too narrow that does not give a feeling of comfort to someone who works (knees will rest against the radiator, and working in such a pose is harmful). PVC windowsill can not be used as a table, so you will have to additionally select and mount a strong countertop. We will talk about those materials that are best used for these purposes.
Each of the shortcomings of the design idea of turning a window sill into a table can be eliminated and even turned into a virtue.
You can not be limited to the table. Window sills are often converted into bar counters when combining a loggia, a balcony with a kitchen or living room.
Materials for making a table
For the manufacture of countertops, as a rule, choose chipboard or MDF.Both materials are made on the basis of wood waste, have low weight, low cost, but quite high strength. The difference between particleboard and MDF is only in production technology. Chipboards are made from waste, which is first crushed to small fragments, and then bonded with hot resin. MDF or wood-fiber boards are made from the same sawdust, but “pulverized” literally to wood fibers. They are thoroughly dried and only then bonded with special adhesives. If you compare both materials, then MDF clearly wins, thanks to a smaller fraction of fragments:
Plates are stronger than chipboard, due to the denser structure of the material.
If you drill a chipboard board, a large crumble will sprinkle out of the hole, and small cracks will appear around it, which will give the product a sloppy and unattractive appearance.
The surface of the MDF is smoother, which is much more pleasant with tactile contact.
Particleboard first exudes a strong smell of synthetic glue. If the products are of high quality, then such an amber will not bring harm to health. Over time, the smell will disappear, but it can cause inconvenience.
With MDF and particleboard it is quite simple to work independently. Both materials are easy to cut, but it’s unlikely that they can give fancy shapes to the countertop. You can use an array of wood to cover the table, but with such material you can’t meet the modest budget. Over time, the main drawback of wood may appear - the ability to deform in the immediate vicinity of powerful heat sources. For this reason, the countertop should have an impressive thickness. Stone, as a material, is rarely used for a wide windowsill and only in expensive apartments. As a rule, the material is chosen for the manufacture of countertops, which will be a continuation of the kitchen set.Marble or granite window sill will be perfectly combined with both classic style and a line of modern trends. Natural material always looks expensive and beautiful. The tabletop made of PVC is lightweight but cannot boast of durability. This material is unpretentious in care, it is simply mounted, but with regular use it will require replacement. A new word in the furniture market is metal countertops. As a rule, the material is used in the kitchen in the work area, where the surface experiences heavy loads.
For the most economical options, you can use the countertop from the old table, which is simply adjusted to the desired size.
Shape and size
There are no optimal sizes for the countertop. The windowsill-table needs to be individually adjusted to the parameters of the body of the person who will regularly use it. During work, he must take the correct posture and vision. The easiest way to determine the correct size is to sit near the windowsill and imagine the workflow (typing, writing, hobby). At the same time, you need to take the right pose: the elbows protrude slightly beyond the boundaries of an imaginary tabletop, the legs move freely under it, and do not rest against the radiator. After the optimal place is found, you can take measurements using a tape measure, put them in a notebook and use them in preparing the material. As for the form, only the joiner's abilities and the designer’s creativity play a role here. Those who do not have extensive experience working with furniture, it is better to adhere to a simple rectangular configuration. For “pros”, more complex options are suitable: concave in the area of the workplace, with wavy or angular edges. Real craftsmen can even decorate the edges of a solid wood countertop with an intricate carved pattern. You do not have to choose the height of the table cover (it can be made just above the windowsill, but not lower).The distance from the floor to the countertops can be easily adjusted using a high / low chair, a special footrest.
Color schemes
Since the table-sill is part of the interior composition of the room to which it belongs, the color scheme must be selected comprehensively, focusing on other large items of furniture. There are several principles for selecting shades:
In neutral interiors, in terms of color, the countertop can be a bright accent.
If catchy details in the atmosphere are superfluous, then the optimal solution would be to select the color of the table by the principle of analogy with some other large piece of furniture: a kitchen set, a closet, a bed, an angular sofa or a storage system.
You can also choose a color to match the wall decoration for wallpaper, ceramic tiles, plaster, paint or decorative panels.
Under the textile decor, the role of which are curtains, tulle, blinds, carpet.
However, the most win-win option is the tone-on-tone color of the countertop with the window frame. Here, the designer definitely does not fail and the shade will look appropriate.
Ideas in the interior
A window sill table looks good in any room: bedroom, nursery, kitchen, living room or workshop. If the window frame is completely dismantled, then the countertop or bar becomes an important interior element, connecting and simultaneously separating two different spaces. When the window remains, and the window sill is simply adapted in a cramped room to perform certain functions, there are still plenty of options for using it. It is enough to use the imagination or experience of venerable designers. We will consider some examples in detail.
Children's desk
A desk in a children's room or teenager’s bedroom is a simple and original design option. Unfortunately, families usually cannot provide a large area for their children.A child usually has to huddle in a small room, but at the same time he needs to equip several functional zones at once. For the crumbs, a playground is enough, where it will combine training and entertainment. The student already needs a full-fledged place to study. If you combine the built-in long tabletop near the window with a small pencil-case, you get a cozy workplace with good natural light. Another simple but stylish option for a student is a corner table that stretches from the former window sill and “enters” the nearest wall. On such a long countertop, you can place several zones at the same time: for creativity and games, for writing and reading, for the computer.
Workplace in the living room
A workplace in the living room is placed only if there is no separate office in the apartment. A window sill in the room where the whole family and large companies gather on holidays will inevitably become multifunctional. Most of the time, the tabletop will be used as a zone for work or a hobby, but with the arrival of guests it can easily be converted into a “buffet” part of the room, where snacks or cups with aromatic tea and sweets will be placed. For those who plan to thoroughly equip a full-fledged working area, a more massive option is suitable, where the table is just part of a large headset with shelves for books and drawers for papers, writing instruments. For classic interiors, symmetric sets made of solid wood of precious species are selected. For high-tech, a combination of metal and glass is suitable, and in budget options they use the usual chipboard, MDF.
Dining table by the living room / kitchen window
A dining table-windowsill - an option that has become popular in recent years. For us, this decision may seem unusual and uncomfortable, because diners sit in a line, as at a bar or in an express cafe.Perhaps this solution is really devoid of notes of comfort at home family meal, but it is ideal for bachelor apartments and those couples who prefer not to mix conversations and eating. Such a miniature, compact dining area can be placed in the kitchen, in the living room or even on the balcony or loggia, if they are properly insulated. The main advantage of the converted window sill in this case is space saving. Folding chairs, reminiscent of garden counterparts, which can be removed under the table or hidden in a special niche if the dining area is not currently in use, are selected as a set for the countertop.
Window sill in the bedroom and how to use it
In the bedroom, the window sill table can be used for different purposes:
As a workplace. If a couple lives in the room, you will have to purchase a mobile screen or install a curtain rod with curtains so that one person’s night vigil does not interfere with another who is trying to sleep. Having supplemented the writing desk with bookshelves, the designer will create a special “warm” atmosphere in the room, which is especially important for the bedroom, where a person adjusts himself to rest.
In the role of a dressing table. Every woman wants to have a small boudoir in the bedroom, where you can put on the shelves and boxes the means to care for her beauty. The only drawback of this solution is the impossibility of installing a massive mirror, since the window will interfere. Will have to replace it with a smaller miniature version.
As a hobby zone. Some people fall asleep much better if they do what they love the day before, when the “head” is resting (crafts, beadwork, embroidery, burning, modeling, puzzles). For such hobbies you need a separate place. The window sill in this case will be the best solution.
The color of the countertops is best chosen for wallpaper and curtains. A composition of three shades, organically combined with each other, will help to create a light, relaxing atmosphere.
Kitchen worktop
A kitchen worktop is more often used as a dining area. It is much less often converted as a continuation of the working area. The second option is applicable in cases where it is necessary to make this site continuous, and the window “gets in the way” on the way. As a rule, the countertop is used for its intended purpose. Sometimes a sink is equipped in it, but there is a significant drawback here - splashes of water will inevitably fall on the window pane, leaving stains. The lack of a kitchen apron will have to be compensated by regular cleaning, which sooner or later will tire even the most stubborn and hardworking housewife.
How to make a do-it-yourself window sill table
It is believed that the installation of a window sill table is better to combine with the replacement of windows. If the double-glazed windows will stand idle for more than one year, and the countertop is needed now, then you will have to add one more preliminary preparation to the main stages of work. The process can be conditionally divided into the following steps:
Measurement, drawing;
Window sill dismantling;
Preparation of materials, cutting countertops;
Mounting countertops;
Decoration (if required).
We will get acquainted with the necessary tools and consider each of the stages in more detail.
Necessary materials and tools
To work with the countertop you will need:
A simple pencil, ruler and tape measure for measurements;
Polyurethane foam, self-tapping screws;
Jigsaw and hacksaw;
Level;
Drill;
Sealant and polyurethane foam;
Metal profile (additional support);
Whetstones;
Metal tubes for legs;
Grinder (for cutting metal).
To dismantle the windowsill you will need:
Hacksaw and scrap for a wooden window sill;
For concrete use a jackhammer and a grinder.
PVC window sills can be dismantled in two ways (with the preservation of slopes, plaster and without them). For the second case, the plaster and slopes are simply beaten off, and then a layer of mounting foam is cut with a knife.After such manipulations, plastic window sills are usually easily removable. To preserve the plaster and slopes, the mounting foam is filed under a PVC plate and removed piece by piece until it begins to “hang out”.
Worktop installation steps
The installation of the countertop instead of the windowsill is divided into stages:
First you need to take measurements and write data on paper.
Then make a tabletop stencil from a thin sheet of plywood or cardboard. It is applied to an untreated piece of material and a table top is cut with a jigsaw along the contour.
Ventilation holes are immediately made in the countertop, which will let in hot air from the radiator.
Then the lid is fixed under the window, placing it on the bars. As support, a metal profile is used, which is pre-fixed to the wall. At this stage, you must definitely check how even the lid is laid. This will require a building level. If the need arises, then its location is adjusted to correct the slope.
Then the voids between the lid / bar structure and the wall are filled with foam. After it has completely dried, the excess is cut off, and the joints are treated with sealant.
Now it remains only to fix the legs. For this, the metal tube is cut in accordance with the measurements. Special rubber or plastic plugs are attached to the bottom of the legs (sold at any hardware store) so that they do not scratch the parquet / laminate, and on top of the tube they are attached to the countertop using self-tapping screws.
If the windowsill-table will become only part of the furniture set with cabinets and drawers, then the tabletop is fixed to other elements of the headset without the use of legs. When chipboard or MDF boards were used for the manufacture of countertops, a special decorative tape is glued to the edge, hiding the unpresentable cut of the material.
Conclusion
The belief that the window sill is intended only for pots with aloe and geranium is firmly entrenched in our minds, and it will not work otherwise. Back in the last century, a number of Western countries developed a fashion for arranging sofas, reading corners, tables and storage systems under the windows. These fresh design ideas came to us quite late, but still managed to take root along with the avarice of minimalism and laconicism of studio apartments. People began to sort out accumulations of trash on the balconies and free the window sills from the dominance of indoor flora. And the apartments have changed. They began to look stylish, creative and modern. With the proper approach, the table-sill will free up more space in the room and will become the highlight of the interior.
Window sills were not previously considered as a useful area of an apartment. The "ceiling" of their use is a place to place flower pots. Although the window sill is really ideal for photophilous plants, in recent years it has been used for other purposes. It would seem, how can I transform a narrow countertop, most often placed above a radiator and curtained with tulle? However, the designers found a way out of this situation and came up with an original version - a window sill table. This area is suitable both for work and for relaxing with a cup of tea. A windowsill can be a writing, computer, dining or ironing table. What exactly it is worth turning into, only the owner decides, relying on the functionality of the room and the lack of space for a specific pastime. For example, it’s more logical to place desks instead of window sills in the living rooms or bedrooms, and for dining the kitchen will be an ideal place. Let's talk about how to make and fix the countertop yourself, which will be required.
Content
Features: advantages and disadvantages
There are three types of sill tables:
The idea of replacing a window sill with a comfortable, functional table has a number of advantages:
However, replacing a typical window sill with a table is fraught with a number of difficulties:
Each of the shortcomings of the design idea of turning a window sill into a table can be eliminated and even turned into a virtue.
Materials for making a table
For the manufacture of countertops, as a rule, choose chipboard or MDF.Both materials are made on the basis of wood waste, have low weight, low cost, but quite high strength. The difference between particleboard and MDF is only in production technology. Chipboards are made from waste, which is first crushed to small fragments, and then bonded with hot resin. MDF or wood-fiber boards are made from the same sawdust, but “pulverized” literally to wood fibers. They are thoroughly dried and only then bonded with special adhesives. If you compare both materials, then MDF clearly wins, thanks to a smaller fraction of fragments:
With MDF and particleboard it is quite simple to work independently. Both materials are easy to cut, but it’s unlikely that they can give fancy shapes to the countertop. You can use an array of wood to cover the table, but with such material you can’t meet the modest budget. Over time, the main drawback of wood may appear - the ability to deform in the immediate vicinity of powerful heat sources. For this reason, the countertop should have an impressive thickness. Stone, as a material, is rarely used for a wide windowsill and only in expensive apartments. As a rule, the material is chosen for the manufacture of countertops, which will be a continuation of the kitchen set.Marble or granite window sill will be perfectly combined with both classic style and a line of modern trends. Natural material always looks expensive and beautiful. The tabletop made of PVC is lightweight but cannot boast of durability. This material is unpretentious in care, it is simply mounted, but with regular use it will require replacement. A new word in the furniture market is metal countertops. As a rule, the material is used in the kitchen in the work area, where the surface experiences heavy loads.
Shape and size
There are no optimal sizes for the countertop. The windowsill-table needs to be individually adjusted to the parameters of the body of the person who will regularly use it. During work, he must take the correct posture and vision. The easiest way to determine the correct size is to sit near the windowsill and imagine the workflow (typing, writing, hobby). At the same time, you need to take the right pose: the elbows protrude slightly beyond the boundaries of an imaginary tabletop, the legs move freely under it, and do not rest against the radiator. After the optimal place is found, you can take measurements using a tape measure, put them in a notebook and use them in preparing the material. As for the form, only the joiner's abilities and the designer’s creativity play a role here. Those who do not have extensive experience working with furniture, it is better to adhere to a simple rectangular configuration. For “pros”, more complex options are suitable: concave in the area of the workplace, with wavy or angular edges. Real craftsmen can even decorate the edges of a solid wood countertop with an intricate carved pattern. You do not have to choose the height of the table cover (it can be made just above the windowsill, but not lower).The distance from the floor to the countertops can be easily adjusted using a high / low chair, a special footrest.
Color schemes
Since the table-sill is part of the interior composition of the room to which it belongs, the color scheme must be selected comprehensively, focusing on other large items of furniture. There are several principles for selecting shades:
However, the most win-win option is the tone-on-tone color of the countertop with the window frame. Here, the designer definitely does not fail and the shade will look appropriate.
Ideas in the interior
A window sill table looks good in any room: bedroom, nursery, kitchen, living room or workshop. If the window frame is completely dismantled, then the countertop or bar becomes an important interior element, connecting and simultaneously separating two different spaces. When the window remains, and the window sill is simply adapted in a cramped room to perform certain functions, there are still plenty of options for using it. It is enough to use the imagination or experience of venerable designers. We will consider some examples in detail.
Children's desk
A desk in a children's room or teenager’s bedroom is a simple and original design option. Unfortunately, families usually cannot provide a large area for their children.A child usually has to huddle in a small room, but at the same time he needs to equip several functional zones at once. For the crumbs, a playground is enough, where it will combine training and entertainment. The student already needs a full-fledged place to study. If you combine the built-in long tabletop near the window with a small pencil-case, you get a cozy workplace with good natural light. Another simple but stylish option for a student is a corner table that stretches from the former window sill and “enters” the nearest wall. On such a long countertop, you can place several zones at the same time: for creativity and games, for writing and reading, for the computer.
Workplace in the living room
A workplace in the living room is placed only if there is no separate office in the apartment. A window sill in the room where the whole family and large companies gather on holidays will inevitably become multifunctional. Most of the time, the tabletop will be used as a zone for work or a hobby, but with the arrival of guests it can easily be converted into a “buffet” part of the room, where snacks or cups with aromatic tea and sweets will be placed. For those who plan to thoroughly equip a full-fledged working area, a more massive option is suitable, where the table is just part of a large headset with shelves for books and drawers for papers, writing instruments. For classic interiors, symmetric sets made of solid wood of precious species are selected. For high-tech, a combination of metal and glass is suitable, and in budget options they use the usual chipboard, MDF.
Dining table by the living room / kitchen window
A dining table-windowsill - an option that has become popular in recent years. For us, this decision may seem unusual and uncomfortable, because diners sit in a line, as at a bar or in an express cafe.Perhaps this solution is really devoid of notes of comfort at home family meal, but it is ideal for bachelor apartments and those couples who prefer not to mix conversations and eating. Such a miniature, compact dining area can be placed in the kitchen, in the living room or even on the balcony or loggia, if they are properly insulated. The main advantage of the converted window sill in this case is space saving. Folding chairs, reminiscent of garden counterparts, which can be removed under the table or hidden in a special niche if the dining area is not currently in use, are selected as a set for the countertop.
Window sill in the bedroom and how to use it
In the bedroom, the window sill table can be used for different purposes:
The color of the countertops is best chosen for wallpaper and curtains. A composition of three shades, organically combined with each other, will help to create a light, relaxing atmosphere.
Kitchen worktop
A kitchen worktop is more often used as a dining area. It is much less often converted as a continuation of the working area. The second option is applicable in cases where it is necessary to make this site continuous, and the window “gets in the way” on the way. As a rule, the countertop is used for its intended purpose. Sometimes a sink is equipped in it, but there is a significant drawback here - splashes of water will inevitably fall on the window pane, leaving stains. The lack of a kitchen apron will have to be compensated by regular cleaning, which sooner or later will tire even the most stubborn and hardworking housewife.
How to make a do-it-yourself window sill table
It is believed that the installation of a window sill table is better to combine with the replacement of windows. If the double-glazed windows will stand idle for more than one year, and the countertop is needed now, then you will have to add one more preliminary preparation to the main stages of work. The process can be conditionally divided into the following steps:
We will get acquainted with the necessary tools and consider each of the stages in more detail.
Necessary materials and tools
To work with the countertop you will need:
To dismantle the windowsill you will need:
PVC window sills can be dismantled in two ways (with the preservation of slopes, plaster and without them). For the second case, the plaster and slopes are simply beaten off, and then a layer of mounting foam is cut with a knife.After such manipulations, plastic window sills are usually easily removable. To preserve the plaster and slopes, the mounting foam is filed under a PVC plate and removed piece by piece until it begins to “hang out”.
Worktop installation steps
The installation of the countertop instead of the windowsill is divided into stages:
If the windowsill-table will become only part of the furniture set with cabinets and drawers, then the tabletop is fixed to other elements of the headset without the use of legs. When chipboard or MDF boards were used for the manufacture of countertops, a special decorative tape is glued to the edge, hiding the unpresentable cut of the material.
Conclusion
The belief that the window sill is intended only for pots with aloe and geranium is firmly entrenched in our minds, and it will not work otherwise. Back in the last century, a number of Western countries developed a fashion for arranging sofas, reading corners, tables and storage systems under the windows. These fresh design ideas came to us quite late, but still managed to take root along with the avarice of minimalism and laconicism of studio apartments. People began to sort out accumulations of trash on the balconies and free the window sills from the dominance of indoor flora. And the apartments have changed. They began to look stylish, creative and modern. With the proper approach, the table-sill will free up more space in the room and will become the highlight of the interior.