Sink in the kitchen under the window: how convenient will it be?

Kitchens with a sink by the window look a little cozier than spaces with a conventional wet area, and evoke associations with spacious houses in America or England, where it is customary to wash dishes while looking out the window at a beautiful garden or a handsome neighbor. Should we take an example from Western housewives and how to organize a comfortable workspace with such a sink arrangement? We tell you in this post.

Design: Kirill Kochetov, Ilya Shulgin

How to organize space if the kitchen sink is near the window

Where to put dishes?

You can choose a set with drying in the lower drawers or consider a compartment in the column if it is located next to the window. Or consider the option of table-top drying near the sink: such models are appropriate in classic interior styles with a rustic touch - Provence, country.

Design: Yulia Likhova

Design: Inna Svyryba

Design: Poni.design

Where do you put sponges and detergent?

Install a dispenser on the countertop - this is the most aesthetically pleasing and discreet option. And for sponges, consider a shallow pull-out compartment directly under the sink.

Design: Enjoy Home

Design: Natasha Sorokiina

Design: 121 Interiors Architacts

Which mixer to choose?

Ideally, it should be tall and L-shaped: unlike simply tall and rounded models, the faucet “spout” shifted closer to the front side of the sink will reduce the amount of splashes on the glass.

Another good option is a model with a bayonet mount, when the mixer can be removed from the base and put aside. This solution will help if the frame has only one sash: this will allow you to sometimes open the window wide open.

Design: Larisa Kurbanova

How to decorate a window?

You can leave it “naked”: in the photos we selected of kitchen interiors with a sink by the window, this option is one of the most common. But if direct rays of the sun fall through the window opening for some time, you still want to drape it, or the style requires it, the following will do:

roller blinds. They have a laconic appearance, simple operation, and are also easy to adjust to the width of the window: both the shaft and the fabric stretched over it can be trimmed manually. However, such curtains cannot be washed in a washing machine; only dry cleaning is acceptable.

The roll structure can be mounted on the wall above the window opening or directly on the sashes.

Design: MN Design

Design: NM Project

Design: Marina Razuvaeva

Roman curtains. The mechanism of such models is similar to that of blinds: when rising, the fabric is draped in beautiful, uniform folds. Like the roll version, they are mounted on the sashes or on the wall above the window opening. True, each time before washing you will have to remove the slats of the lifting mechanism on which the fabric is strung.

Design: Tatyana Tsivileva

Design: ID Interior Design

Design: Anna Krapivko

blinds. The optimal “kitchen” option is blinds with horizontal slats made of wood or aluminum.

short curtains and tulle. Option for classic interiors, for windows located deep in the wall or above the sink level.

Design: Natalia Lomeiko, Tatyana Trofimova

Design: Varvara Shabelnikova

KITCHEN ERGONOMICS RULES. CONTINUATION

We can talk endlessly about the rules of kitchen ergonomics. The most difficult space in the house. The amount of knowledge, rules, nuances and subtleties that must be observed when planning an ideal kitchen will haunt your dreams and haunt you. How to position the sink correctly? Where can I find space for a dishwasher? What type of countertop should it be? And a million more questions, the answers to which will be found in this article.

We continue to get acquainted with the basic Principles of kitchen space planning according to The NKBA Kitchen & Bathroom Planning Guidelines with Access Standards.

The National Kitchen + Bath Association (NKBA) is a US non-profit organization. Founded in 1963 as a network of kitchen dealers, it has grown into the premier association of designers, retailers, manufacturers, distributors, installers and other industry professionals. The association's goal is a world in which everyone enjoys safe, beautiful and functional kitchens and bathrooms.

I translated the main NKBA textbook, supplemented it with illustrations and more detailed descriptions taking into account our reality (available in English in American online stores).

In this article, we get acquainted with the 8 basic rules of ergonomics in the kitchen.

1 PRINCIPLE MAIN WORKING SURFACE

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11 The working surface can be located at a height of 70 to 114 cm from the floor level. My advice is to focus on your height, or the height of the main cook in the family.

The optimal tabletop height for an average person is 90 cm.

Fig.12

The most commonly used countertop work surface is between the sink and stove. And it is considered the main food preparation area. Let's remember the principle of the working triangle: take the carrots out of the refrigerator, wash the carrots, fry the carrots.

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We get acquainted with the principles and rules of the “triangle in the kitchen” in the article “What is a working triangle” .

Do not forget: the height of kitchen furniture may vary among manufacturers. Please read the technical specifications carefully before purchasing.

Fig.14

The minimum width of the working surface is 75-80 cm

on the recommendation of the NKBA.
I recommend the optimal working surface width is 80-90 cm .
I do not recommend making the distance between the sink and the hob more than 1 meter . The kitchen is not a gym; ergonomics are important here, which is responsible for comfortable working conditions, and not for running 10 kilometers.

The minimum depth of the working surface is 60 cm.

But this is a critical minimum.
Furniture exhibitions in 2020 showed that the depth of the kitchen work surface will increase. Modern manufacturers already offer countertops 80-85 cm deep, and customer experience has shown that this is very convenient.

PRINCIPLE. WORK SPACE IN THE KITCHEN

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15 The surface of the kitchen worktop, which performs the main working function and is located between the main centers of the kitchen, namely between the hob and the sink , should not be crossed by large non-mobile cabinets. This is especially true if your kitchen is in one line.

We read about the principles of building a “kitchen in a line” in the article “Kitchen layout - linear option” .

3 PRINCIPLE KITCHEN SINK POSITION

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16 Position the sink in such a way that it is convenient for all family members to use. Follow the “clear space” rule.

The minimum free distance in front of the sink is 76 cm (according to NKBA). My opinion is that the free space in front of the sink should be at least 1 meter :

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On the worktop to the right and left of the sink, we leave free space for full work: at least 60 cm on one side and at least 45 cm on the other side. This is necessary so that you can place clean dishes after washing, a bowl of fruits and vegetables. It is safe to place a large pot of water.

The height of the sink varies between 70-115 cm from the floor level. Depends on the chosen furniture model and the height of the tabletop. Modern kitchens can be made with different levels of work surfaces - convenient.

Advice: be careful when choosing a sink. The “like it - don’t like it” principle here should be after the technical characteristics and ergonomics of the sink.

4 PRINCIPLE ADDITIONAL WASH

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18 If possible, install an additional sink in a large kitchen. It will serve, for example, only for washing fruits and vegetables. Place it on an island or peninsula, increasing work activity in the kitchen.

2 sinks are convenient when several people are cooking at the same time. Do not forget that even around the second sink it is necessary to leave free space on the sides. The bowl of fruit also needs to stand somewhere.

Try not to press the sink close to the edge of the furniture.

5 PRINCIPLE DISHWASHER POSITION

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19 The dishwasher (hereinafter referred to as DMM) should be located close to the sink. We use logic and common sense.

The maximum distance at which the PMM can be placed from the sink is 90 cm.

From experience: I install the PMM in the adjacent cabinet to the left or right of the sink. The placement on the right or left depends on your preference, whether you are left-handed or right-handed.

It is not recommended to install the PMM close to the walls or in a corner (if the kitchen is located at a corner). 50 cm to a corner or wall However, this is not always convenient or possible. In such cases, I provide a technical bar of 5-7 cm, which will allow the door to open freely.

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The dishwasher has two disadvantages, due to which its location must be carefully considered:

The door always opens forward, so make sure there are no obstacles in front of it.
Using the PMM is accompanied by uncomfortable movements - you often have to bend, bend and unbend. In order to conveniently sweep leftover food into the trash can, load dishes and take them out, you need at least 60-80 cm for free movement in front of the sink. Look at Fig. again. 2

6 PRINCIPLE TRASH BIN LOCATION

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21 Always place the trash can in close proximity to the sink. Often we put a bucket under it to save space, but in reality it is inconvenient.

It is more convenient to place the bucket in a separate drawer to the right or left of the sink. In such a way that the sink is in the center between the trash can and the PMM.

Today, manufacturers offer a large selection of waste sorting systems. Retractable systems are considered the most convenient by customers.

7 PRINCIPLE REFRIGERATOR WORKING AREA

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22 In the immediate vicinity of the refrigerator, leave at least 30-40 cm of free space on the countertop. This is necessary so that you can safely and conveniently remove food from the refrigerator and put it back.

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Imagine a situation where you need to put a large pan in the refrigerator. Open the heavy refrigerator door with one hand and hold a full pot of soup with the other. An almost impossible task. Especially for a child. Try not to place a sink or hob close to the refrigerator.

If you plan to place the refrigerator in a separate niche, in a row of tall cabinets, remember the history of the “heavy pan.” The free surface should be within walking distance. In Fig. 23 there is an island 1 meter from the refrigerator.

8 PRINCIPLE WORKING AREA OF THE HOB

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24 Position the hob so that it is convenient for all family members to use. The minimum free distance in front of the hob is 76 cm. As with the sink, I recommend leaving more. Especially if the oven is located under the hob (classic arrangement).

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The height of the hob varies between 70-115 cm from the floor level and depends on the selected furniture model and the height of the countertop. Modern kitchens can be made with different levels of work surfaces - convenient.

There must be free space to the right and left of the hob for normal and safe operation - at least 30 cm on one side and at least 38-40 cm on the other side.

The process of cooking means that you always need to be able to quickly put aside a hot frying pan, place auxiliary appliances nearby, and place a large cutting board nearby.

So, we talked to you about the basic concepts when planning a dream kitchen and got acquainted with the 8 principles of creating a kitchen space according to the leading American association “Kitchens and Bathrooms” in my translation and with beautiful illustrations.

Read the continuation of the topic about the principles of planning a comfortable kitchen here:

9 IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES OF ERGONOMICS IN THE KITCHEN

5 FINAL PRINCIPLES OF ERGONOMICS IN THE KITCHEN

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Good luck with the renovation!

The blog “On the Wave of Decor” is a non-profit project and is created exclusively by the author, decorator Oksana Panteleeva. I would appreciate a little financial support for my work, new articles and illustrations, and technical development of the blog. Thank you!