Cabinet under the window sill in the kitchen: restoration of an old Khrushchev refrigerator, how to make a cabinet

What is a niche under the window sill in the kitchen?

The winter refrigerator in the house is free space, which is formed due to thinner brickwork compared to the rest of the walls. The thickness of the outer wall is only one layer of brick.

A small kitchen somewhere in a cramped Khrushchev or Brezhnevka can hardly count on the title of a comfortable room.

To keep things cool, the kitchen cabinet has a ventilation hole to allow in air from outside.

You can leave the radiator under the windowsill.

Features and advantages of a winter “refrigerator” under the windowsill

The location for the kitchen cabinet was not chosen by chance - this section of the wall under the window has the lowest temperature in the room in winter.

There are many benefits to having an extra refrigerator.

The advantages of a winter closet include:

Multifunctionality, rational use of a small area. Kitchens in Khrushchev-era apartment buildings are quite modest, so the issue of saving space is especially acute. A cabinet under the window in the kitchen allows you to store supplies of cereals, canned food, and homemade preparations.
Low temperature, including in the summer heat. Thanks to the design and placement features, the space under the window opening always remains cool.
Possibility of redevelopment. If you don't need the cabinet as a place for food, it can be easily converted by installing a heating radiator or regular shelves for dishes.

In Khrushchev-era buildings, the window sill is not only very wide.
The only drawback of the cabinet is the low thermal insulation. With the onset of cold weather, heat leaks due to too thin doors. Therefore, if you decide to remodel, you need to take care of insulation using thermal insulation materials.

The niche under the window can be converted into an additional wardrobe.

Store things and objects in a niche

In such an open niche you can store household appliances.

Closed niche for storing things.

Depending on how you organize the space around this niche, you can store both very popular things and objects there, and vice versa. If there is free access to it, then place those items that you use constantly. If access is limited, it is very convenient to put there everything that you use rarely or seasonally. But in any case, such an additional cabinet can free up a table or hanging shelves for you. In this case, it is advisable to insulate the wall so that cold air does not penetrate into the apartment. Such a niche can be made with both open and closed shelves.

How to restore an old Khrushchev refrigerator

There are several options for redesigning the space under the window:

Leave the winter refrigerator function. To reduce heat leakage, you can install dense doors with a thermally insulating layer of sealant. The vent can be modified by installing an inlet valve. To prevent cabinet doors from getting in the way when opening, they are often made sliding.
Completely seal the niche. In this case, the surface is leveled and the free space is filled with brickwork.
Make a regular wardrobe. The ventilation hole is sealed, the internal walls are finished with tiles or plasterboard panels. As a result, the winter refrigerator turns into an ordinary closet where you can store any household items. The niche is equipped with regular shelves or drawers.
Move the pipes and connect the heating battery. Part of the internal volume of the cabinet is filled with insulation. The remaining free space is allocated for the radiator.

Making a full-fledged closet from a refrigerator under the window

To make a regular cabinet out of a winter refrigerator, which will become one of the parts of the kitchen set, you need:

Insulate the wall. The best option would be to place a thermal insulation layer on the outside of the building. If for some reason this cannot be done, it is necessary to lay another layer of brick.
Eliminate the possibility of cold coming from the street. To do this, the ventilation hole is filled with cement mortar or blown in with foam.
Make niche trim. For this purpose, drywall or ceramic tiles are used.
Install shelves and doors.

You can store pickling under the window.
During the remodeling process, you can also change the height of the window sill. It is important to carefully measure the parameters when ordering windows. You can also extend the window sill by making it a full-fledged cutting table.

You can make a table from a window sill.

Refrigerator reconstruction technology for food storage

In Khrushchev's brick multi-storey buildings, the wall thickness according to building standards is 51 - 64 centimeters. Moreover, the lower the apartment is, the wider the masonry. The thickness of the wall in the opening under the window, which was used as a refrigerator, is 45 centimeters.

During the construction of such houses, slag was used to insulate the walls. It was poured into the gaps between the brick rows. In many niches, holes were often left for ventilation.

To build a good Khrushchev refrigerator, in which there will be no excess moisture, it is necessary to carry out a complete reconstruction of the old niche. In this case, a rather important stage is its external design. You can complete the entire refrigerator finishing process yourself.

Preparatory work

In order for the refrigerator to be spacious enough, you should initially remove a layer of plaster and one row of brickwork. In this case, horizontally located concrete lintels should not be touched, since they are load-bearing elements of the wall.

After freeing up the internal space, the thickness of the partition going out will be 25 centimeters. Then you need to clean the entire inside of the opening from dirt and dust.

Screed

When the process of preparing the niche is completed, you can begin leveling the walls. For this, a cement-sand screed is used. It allows you not only to level all surfaces, but also to close the gaps present in the masonry. After the mortar has completely dried, the walls must be coated with a primer.

Construction putty and gypsum mixture are not suitable for interior work, since they are not able to withstand the effects of frozen condensation. For air circulation, it is necessary to leave a ventilation hole on which a protective grille is placed.

Insulation of the external wall and internal space

The best option is to insulate the refrigerator from the street. Expanded polystyrene is used to create external thermal insulation. Plates of this material are laid on a previously leveled wall surface. The permissible difference is no more than 1 centimeter.

Expanded polystyrene – material for external thermal insulation

The material is attached to a special construction adhesive and additionally fixed to the wall with dowels. All joints are hermetically sealed with sealant or polyurethane foam. The top of the expanded polystyrene is reinforced with mesh and finishing.

To save as much space as possible in the refrigerator compartment for internal thermal insulation, you should use fairly thin insulation with a low level of thermal conductivity. Rolled foil isofol and foam text have these qualities.

The insulation process is performed in the following sequence:

Cut a sheet of foam text to the size of the rear inner wall of the niche. Make a cone-shaped hole in the prepared material at the level of the ventilation passage, the narrow side of which should go out onto the street. To regulate the temperature in severe frosts, it is equipped with a special handle in the form of a loop.
Prepare thermal insulation material for the surface under the window sill.
Secure all cut sheets of foam text using “liquid nails” or construction foam.
Fix isofol up to 10 millimeters thick on top of the glued insulation. The side walls can also be decorated with such foil sheets.

Cover all joints of the material performing the screen function with special tape.

To maintain the temperature in a winter refrigerator, you can use a small fan that is installed in the vent. Such a device will forcefully suppress cold air into the refrigerator compartment, and will also protect it from stagnation inside.

The insulation of doors is also important. Their internal thermal insulation is performed using foil-coated isofol. Not only the walls of the doors are like this, but also their frames.

How to make a heating radiator instead of a refrigerator

If there is no need for space to store workpieces or utensils, you can use the free space to install a heating radiator.

You can leave the radiator under the window.

To do this you need:

Remove doors and shelves.
Carry out insulation. To prevent condensation from accumulating on the wall, brick should be used as a thermal insulation layer. Only after laying it can you cover the niche with plasterboard. As a result, there should be a free space about 15 cm deep.
Install the radiator. The location of the heating radiator under the window is one of the most optimal. The influx of warm air rising upward serves as a barrier to the penetration of cold from the window.

If there is an empty niche under the window sill, deepen it.

Glazing instead of a Khrushchev refrigerator

The part of the wall under the window sill does not serve as a supporting structure, so it can be dismantled without damage. A large window is installed in the resulting opening from the top to the floor. French glazing will make the kitchen brighter. Additionally, you can install a door and equip a loggia.

You can make different designs for the refrigerator under the window.

This option will require not only significant costs, but also coordination with construction supervision authorities. Since such redevelopment affects the appearance of the building, it is necessary to obtain permission to demolish part of the wall before starting work.

You choose the design of your kitchen yourself.

Redevelopment options

Khrushchev's refrigerators are not suitable for everyone, and that is why they learned to convert them.

There are several ways:

Installing the battery in place of the refrigerator . The niche under the window sill in the kitchen is filled almost completely, leaving only a small recess of 10–15 cm. A heat source is installed in place of the former refrigerator.
Insulation of a niche . The refrigerator doors are covered with a heat insulator, and the device is used for its intended purpose.
Window instead of a niche . The partition separating the street from the premises is dismantled and a large window is installed.
Kitchen with balcony . After dismantling the partition, an additional balcony is installed on the first or second floor using pile supports. But such redevelopment requires permission from the building management organization.

If the walls are properly insulated, the niche is also used to install a cabinet under the window in the kitchen.

Remove the refrigerator

Refrigerator demolition begins with clearing the work area . All products from the niche and utensils from the window sill are removed, the curtains are temporarily removed and, if possible, the wall adjacent to the window is cleared. If you plan to re-glue the wallpaper, the old finish is dismantled.

Further algorithm:

Remove the refrigerator doors, shelves and dismantle the box.
Clean walls from dust and debris.
Cold bridges (technological holes in the outer wall for ventilation) are sealed with cement mortar.
The niche is filled with bricks . To avoid condensation during the cold season, it is advisable to leave a small air gap inside the wall.

Everyone chooses the thickness of the masonry individually : it depends on the subsequent use of the laid-out space.

For your information. The wall is insulated in different ways: from the outside of the building, from the side of the room or from the inside of the wall. The surest way is outside the house, since it is not known exactly where the dew point is. And if it is displaced during internal insulation of the walls, fungus and dampness will appear on their surface.

Modernize the niche

The option with a seasonal refrigerator is a practical idea . For a family with small needs, such space is often sufficient for the temporary storage of perishable foods. If you bring the old Khrushchev refrigerator into proper shape, you will get an impressive and functional niche.

It is known that cold air entering a closed space through ventilation holes leaks through old doors that do not close tightly into the room. Accordingly, the main object to be replaced is the doors . But many, when reconstructing a refrigerator, do not limit themselves to just the doors and completely repair the entire refrigerator.

On a note. The optimal solution for a Khrushchev refrigerator is metal-plastic doors with high-quality fittings.

A sandwich or double-glazed window is chosen as a filler . Provided that doors with double-glazed windows are installed, lighting in the niche and its complete internal reconstruction are appropriate.

Major repairs of the refrigerator are mainly carried out in the summer, simultaneously with the replacement of the window sill and window . The first thing you need to do is choose a company to order metal-plastic structures and invite a measurer. After installing a new window, wait until the foam has completely cured. Repair of the window sill can begin when the structure is firmly held in the window opening.

Sequence of work:

Dismantling old doors, shelves and the entire frame . The doors are removed, the old shelves are removed and the old wooden frame is completely dismantled. This should be done carefully so as not to increase the opening to unprecedented sizes.
Installation of a new structure . A new metal-plastic frame is installed in the resulting space, after removing the doors from it. Fix it with anchor bolts in the opening according to the level. After the structure is installed in exact accordance with the vertical and horizontal, the frame is firmly secured and the doors are mounted. Upon completion of installation, all cracks are filled with foam.
Finishing work . When the foam has hardened and the structure is firmly in place, begin finishing. Typically, the interior space is sheathed with moisture-resistant plasterboard with further plastering work or decorated with plastic. Any polymer insulation should be laid under the finishing. If the installation provides lighting, this point is thought out in advance by laying the wiring and installing the lamp.

At the final stage, all that remains is to check the functionality of the system and install shelves with drawers.

Installation of a cabinet under the window sill

A kitchen work area by the window is the dream of every second housewife. Thanks to the abundance of daylight, you can avoid using backlights and save energy.

If you equip a full-fledged tabletop above the resulting niche instead of a window sill , you will get a workspace and a functional niche that can easily fit a dishwasher or washing machine, oven, microwave, mini-refrigerator or communications for installing a sink.

Main stages of work after complete dismantling of the old structure:

installation of a solid countertop;
arrangement of a niche (covering the space with plasterboard or other material);
installation of under-table cabinets;
arrangement of necessary communications;
installation of technical electrical appliances (if any);
plumbing installation.

On a note. If you use a wall adjacent to the window as a work area, a small kitchen will have additional space for installing a dining set.

Glazing unnecessary space or installing a balcony

The half-brick partition separating the inside of the refrigerator from the street, and the side parts of the niche do not bear significant loads, so it is quite possible to disassemble them and install a single full-size structure in the form of a window or door to the balcony in the resulting opening.

The most difficult thing in such a redevelopment is obtaining permission , which depends on factors such as the location of the house. If the building is located in the central part of the city, city authorities may not issue a permit so as not to violate the integrity of the facade. Also, if the building is in disrepair, it will most likely not be possible to obtain permission for redevelopment.

Attention! If you live above the ground floor, before carrying out dismantling work, take care of the safety of passersby. Isolate the area of possible falling debris by fencing the area with brightly colored tape.

Only after all necessary agreements have been completed can further actions be taken.:

Taking measurements and creating a drawing . Using a tape measure, measure the opening taking into account the quarters and sketch out a rough sketch of the future structure. In the case of creating a functional space outside the window, you will also need a project for the future veranda.
Ordering a window design . You can order a window design from any window company or factory, taking into account its features and exact dimensions. As a rule, the average production time for a metal-plastic window is half a month. When the structure is delivered to your home, installation begins.
Dismantling works . Remove the old refrigerator and window structure from the installation site. This must be done carefully so that the break does not turn into new wall masonry. From below, the opening is expanded to the required size. Thoroughly clean the edges.
Installation of the structure . In most cases, specialists from window companies are invited for such work. But, with certain skills and knowledge, you can install a metal-plastic window yourself. First, unpack the structure by removing all the double-glazed windows from the frame. Then they install it in the prepared opening and fix it with anchors. Check the level, thoroughly securing the structure to the walls, and fill the cracks with foam. Reinstall the double-glazed windows and adjust the sash.
The final stage . After the foam has completely hardened, it is cut off with any knife so that the material does not protrude from the cracks. In order for the installed structure to last as long as possible, it is necessary to putty the slopes as soon as possible after installing the window, since polyurethane foam is capricious in relation to the open sun. Ultraviolet radiation has a destructive effect on the structure of the material, and without taking appropriate measures, cold bridges may soon form inside the window opening.

Interesting examples of kitchen design with a niche under the window

In addition to the listed options for transforming a kitchen niche under a window, there are several more ways to transform a cabinet and fit it into the decor:

Install the sink above the windowsill. The lower part of the cabinet is used for laying pipes. It is worth considering that when installing a sink opposite a window, splashes will constantly fall on the glass, so it will have to be washed regularly.
Install an electric fireplace. This element can radically transform the look of a small kitchen and create a cozy atmosphere.
Make a built-in safe. The space under the window is ideal for arranging a hiding place. The outside can be disguised in such a way that no one will guess about the existence of a hidden safe.
Integrate household appliances. If space allows, you can install a small compact model of a washing machine or dishwasher in the vacated niche. You can also make a shelf for a microwave oven in place of a kitchen cabinet.
Set up a minibar. Low temperatures and ventilation help create ideal conditions for storing drinks. You can also make a display case with transparent doors from the cabinet and provide interior lighting.
Make a dining area. In this case, the niche is completely disassembled, and a large tabletop is installed instead of the window sill. It can be combined with a sink or used to install a hob.

Tips and tricks for use

Regardless of the use of the space under the window, you must follow the basic rules for using a niche:

When carrying out insulation, do not leave space between the sheathing and the wall. Condensation will accumulate in it, which destroys the brick.
If the ventilation hole is filled with polyurethane foam, the outside of the hardened composition must be cut off and plastered.
If the cabinet serves as a winter refrigerator, you need to install tightly closing doors.
The outer façade of the doors can be chosen to match the color of the kitchen unit to ensure the integrity of the composition.

A clean, tidy kitchen will always be attractive.
Many options for remodeling the cabinet under the window sill will allow you to rationally use the space and transform the interior of the kitchen.

The design and location of the niche make it possible to show your imagination and realize any ideas.

Bring your own kitchen design ideas to life.

Use the niche for storing vegetables and canning

You can store canned food in this niche in winter.

You can store more than just vegetables in this refrigerator.

Decorating a niche with modern materials.

To avoid loading the refrigerator with vegetables in the winter, you can use this niche as a cold pantry. If necessary, insulate the wall a little so that during severe frosts the vegetables do not freeze. Replace shelves and front doors with more modern and practical ones. You can even use glass ones, the only condition is that there must be order so as not to spoil the aesthetic appearance of the interior.