Sill-table in the kitchen: how to design and use?

Each person dreams of arranging his apartment so that it lives comfortably and well. However, most owners of typical apartments in our country cannot boast of spacious kitchens, because before them the problem of how to place everything you need in a small room comes to the fore. An excellent exit will be a windowsill table.

In the vast majority of cases, the problems of owners of small-sized apartments arise precisely with the ergonomics of the kitchen, where you need to highlight the dining and working areas, place all the necessary household appliances. A win-win option may be the installation of countertops instead of windowsill. This solution is especially relevant in Khrushchev, the size of the kitchens in which are small.

By installing a countertop instead of a windowsill, you significantly free up space for washing products, cooking and eating, and thanks to natural light, the cost of electricity is significantly reduced.

Countertops combined with the windowsill are made in several designs.

The most common version of a window sill is a rectangular model, which saves the useful space of the kitchen, and its installation is so simple that you can cope with it even without resorting to the services of professionals.

A tabletop sill with a folding table is another interesting option, whichOn the one hand, it frees up space for moving, and on the other, it allows you to set up a table at any right time, where you can get your whole family together to sit at a delicious dinner or lunch.This option is convenient, but keep in mind that in winter, when the heating is working, the folding part will create obstacles to the movement of warm air from the batteries and it can be cool in the kitchen.

The table top, turning into a bar, is most widespread in large spacious rooms, especially if the kitchen is combined with the living room. In this case, properly selected furniture will make the dining room comfortable and functional.

Before proceeding with the order of countertops, it is necessary to carefully study the properties of the materials used for its manufacture. It is necessary to obtain maximum information about the advantages and disadvantages of each model.

This is a very effective and at the same time the most budget option of all offered on the market. Plastic models usually harmoniously complement headsets made of MDF or chipboard. Due to the wide variety of shades, textures and decors, you can choose the option that will fit into any design of the kitchen.

Advantages:

• attractive appearance, wide tint range;
• universality - plastic is well combined with the most various accessories;
• simplicity in leaving and cleaning;
• resistance to ultraviolet radiation;
• affordable cost.

Disadvantages:

• with a sharp change in temperature, the coating is damaged;
• plastic is subject to scratches;
• when water gets into the joints, the inner surface begins to swell and deform.

This material has long been popular among Russian housewives due to the aesthetic appearance and wide color gamut presented in stores. On sale there are even plates that mimic the texture of natural stone and wood.

Advantages:

• high wear resistance;
• ease of care;
• wide selection of shades and textures;
• low cost.

Disadvantages:

• when washing such a countertop, extreme care must be taken, otherwise the protective layer of the material may be damaged;
• in case of moisture in damaged areas, deformation of the panel begins.

In addition, despite the assurances of the manufacturers, in practice very often there is a reduced resistance of the tabletop to impact loads.

Typically, wood is not used for the manufacture of countertops built into the windowsill, but if you live in an eco-house or adhere to a unique style in the interior of the interior, the wood will become an indispensable material.

Most often, for the manufacture of kitchen furniture using elite wood species - cherry, beech, mahogany and oak. However, there are more budget options from pine. Typically, wood is coated with special wax-based moisture repellents.

Advantages:

• high environmental safety;
• spectacular appearance.

Disadvantages:

• low heat resistance;
• on contact with fire, a fire occurs that spreads rapidly;
• under the influence of gravity, the surface begins to bend.

In addition, the material requires special care and regular processing.

This is the most practical option. Typically, such a countertop is made of natural or artificial types of stone. The most commonly used granite, quartzite, marble, as well as polymer-mineral plates. However, few people know that the stone has the ability to absorb radiation, and this eventually begins to have a pathogenic effect on the inhabitants of the apartment. That is why when buying or ordering such a model, be sure to take an interest in the safety class of stone - only the first one is suitable for use in the kitchen. The exception is marble - this stone is unable to absorb radioactive radiation, but it can also become a source of problems for its owners.

The above cons is devoid of artificial stone. Its advantages include:

• durability:
• resistance to blows;
• resistance to high temperatures;
• water repellent properties.

However, he also has drawbacks, namely:

• heavy weight;
• high price.

When buying countertops instead of windowsill listen to a few simple recommendations.

• For a simple kitchen set, it is better to choose a concise countertop. For example, if you have MDF furniture, a marble window sill-table will not be appropriate.
• Matte countertops are always stronger and more durable than glossy ones.
• Slabs made of stone are rather dense, solid and tough, so the owner will have to learn how to put plates and cups as accurately as possible.
• When buying or ordering a window sill worktop, be sure to see the exhibition sample with your own eyes and touch it.
• Give preference to light models, since during use on frequently washed areas some materials become lighter, on a dark surface these places will be clearly visible over time.

When installing the tabletop sill, it is extremely important that air circulates freely near the radiator. TThe heat generated by the batteries should rise up to the window, and the cold air should fall to the floor. If the heat exchange is disturbed, the room will become dank, cold and damp, and this, in turn, will lead to excessive fogging of the windows. In such conditions, a favorable environment for the appearance of mold and fungus is created. In order to avoid these unnecessary consequences, it is enough to make several holes in the countertop to maintain normal air exchange.

Keep in mind that the windowsill-countertop will worsen the heating of the kitchen by a couple of degrees. Heat can be compensated by installing an additional battery or underfloor heating system.

Keep in mind - it is forbidden to install a stove near the window. Firstly, such a solution does not comply with building codes, and secondly, it is impractical, since during cooking all splashes of oil will appear on the windows and the hostess will have to constantly wash them to return a fresh and aesthetic appearance.

No matter how you arrange the space under the window - it needs good lighting. Usually, wall sconces are hung for this or a spotlight is mounted. Lamps can be hung at any height, the main thing is to place them above or in front of the workplace, and not behind it. Otherwise, the person standing near the countertop will close the light with his back.

For information on how to design and use a window sill in the kitchen, see the next video.