Table windowsill: arrangement of the workplace

Previously, window sills were not considered as a usable area of ​​an apartment. The "ceiling" of their use is a place to place flower pots. Although the window sill is really ideal for light-loving plants, in recent years it has been used for other purposes. It would seem, how can you transform a narrow tabletop, most often placed above the radiator and curtained with tulle? However, the designers found a way out of this situation and came up with an original version - a table-sill. This area is suitable for work and for relaxing with a cup of tea. The window sill can be a writing, computer, dining or ironing table. What exactly is it 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 is more logical to place desks instead of window sills in living rooms or bedrooms, and for lunch a kitchen would be an ideal place. Let's talk about how to independently make and fix the tabletop, which is required for this.

Features: advantages and disadvantages

There are tables, window sills of three types:

  • "Books" with hinged covers. It is quite difficult to make such a model with your own hands, but in the closed state the table will not interfere and will turn into an ordinary window sill. Similar models used to stand in every Soviet apartment, awaiting guests and rich treats.
  • Static tables. In this case, the tabletop is mounted "firmly" and remains in this position throughout the operation.
  • With retractable countertops. They are made according to the principles of universal computer tables, where a separate shelf for the keyboard "drives", thanks to a simple mechanism.
    The idea of ​​replacing the window sill with a comfortable, functional table has a number of advantages:
  • Table-sill will save energy. If you work in the daytime, then table lamps will not be required, as they will be replaced by sunlight.
  • Table-sill is ideal for cramped apartments and studios, as a replacement for multifunctional furniture. In housing, where every square meter is worth its weight in gold, such a decision will organically blend into high-tech, minimalism and loft styles.
  • The radiator under the table top will be a pleasant addition in the winter: the worker at the table will not have to worry about warming the legs, and the pleasant warmth will give a feeling of home comfort.

However, replacing a typical window sill with a table involves a number of difficulties:

  • The heating radiator is placed under the window is not accidental. Hot air from the battery is mixed with cold, which penetrates from the street. As a result, no drafts are “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 mist up. The tabletop should not prevent the circulation of hot air, so it will have to make holes in it. So that this decision does not spoil the aesthetics of the interior, it can be organically woven into the design. For example, it will look stylish round holes that combine with a similar pattern on the wallpaper or curtains. They can also be supplemented with an installation of glass balls on the table or other decor that emphasizes simple geometry.
  • For window decoration you can no longer use long curtains and tulle. This disadvantage can be safely attributed to the category of relative, as the curtains in the floor for the most part the lot of classical styles. In modern areas, laconicism is valued, which means compact blinds or Roman curtains harmoniously blend into the design composition of a loft, fusion, hi-tech, modern and even futurism.
  • Regular PVC window sill, which is attached to the standard double-glazed windows, is not designed for heavy loads. In addition, it is too narrow that it will not give a feeling of comfort to those who work (knees will rest against the radiator, and working in this position is harmful). PVC windowsill can not be used as a table, so you will have to additionally select and mount a solid tabletop. About those materials that are best used for these purposes, let's talk further.

Each of the drawbacks of the design idea of ​​turning a window sill into a table can be eliminated and even turned into dignity.

You can not be limited to the table. Window sills are often converted into bar counters when combining a loggia, balcony with a kitchen or living room.

    

Materials for making the 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 rather high strength. The difference between chipboard and MDF is only in production technology. Chipboard is made from waste, which is first crushed to small fragments, and then sealed with hot resin. MDF or fiberboard is made from the same sawdust, but "pounded" literally to wood fibers. They are thoroughly dried and only after that they are fastened with special adhesive compositions. If we compare both materials, MDF definitely wins, thanks to a smaller fraction of fragments:

  • Plates are stronger than chipboard, due to the more dense structure of the material.
  • If you drill a chipboard, a large crumb will fall out of the hole, and small cracks will appear around it, which will give the product an inaccurate and unappealing look.
  • The MDF surface is smoother, which is much more pleasant with tactile contact.
  • Chipboard plates initially emit a strong smell of synthetic glue. If the products are of high quality, then there will be no harm to health. Over time, the smell will disappear, but can cause inconvenience.

With MDF and chipboard, it is enough just to work independently. Both materials are easy to cut, but it is unlikely that they will be able to give fancy shapes to the tabletop. You can use solid wood for the cover of the table, but you will not be able to keep within a modest budget with such material. Over time, the main disadvantage of wood can manifest itself - the ability to deform in the immediate vicinity of powerful heat sources. For this reason, the tabletop must be of impressive thickness. Stone as a material for a wide window sill is used very rarely and only in expensive apartments. Typically, the material chosen for the manufacture of countertops, which will be a continuation of the kitchen. Marble or granite windowsill will be perfectly combined with both the classic style and the line of modern trends. Natural material always looks expensive and beautiful. The worktop is lightweight but cannot boast of durability. This material is unpretentious in the care, simply mounted, but with regular use will require replacement. A new word on the furniture market - metal countertops. The material is usually used in the kitchen in the work area, where the surface is under heavy loads.

For the most economical options, you can use the tabletop from the old table, which is simply customized to the desired size.

Shape and size

There is no optimal size for the tabletop. The window-sill-table must be individually adjusted to the parameters of the body of a person who will use it regularly. During work, he must take the correct posture and vision. The easiest way to determine the correct dimensions is to sit near the window sill and present the workflow (typing, writing, hobbies). At the same time, it is necessary to adopt the correct posture: the elbows slightly protrude 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 with the help of a tape measure, put them in a notebook and use it when preparing the material. As for the form, only the ability of the carpenter and the creative designer play a role. Those who do not have extensive experience working with furniture, it is better to stick to a simple rectangular configuration. For the "pros", more complex options are suitable: concave in the area of ​​the workplace, with wavy or angular edges. The real masters of their work can even decorate the edges of the tabletops from solid wood with an intricate carved pattern. The height of the table cover is not necessary to choose (it can be made just above the sill, but not lower). The distance from the floor to the tabletop is easy to adjust using a high / low chair, a special footrest.

Color solutions

Since the table-sill is part of the interior composition of the room to which it belongs, then the color solution should be selected in a comprehensive way, focusing on other large pieces of furniture. There are several principles for the selection of colors:

  • In neutral interiors, in terms of colors, the tabletop can be a bright accent.
  • If the catchy details in the setting will be superfluous, then the optimal solution will be the selection of the color of the table according to the principle of analogy with some other large interior item: kitchen set, wardrobe, bed, corner sofa or storage system.
  • You can also choose the color to match the finish of the wall for wallpaper, ceramic tile, plaster, paint or decorative panels.
  • Under the textile decor, in the role of which are the curtains, tulle, blinds, carpet.

However, the most safe option is to choose the color of the countertop "tone to tone" with a window frame. Here the designer does not lose exactly and the shade will look appropriate.

    

Ideas in the interior

Table-sill looks good in any room: bedroom, nursery, kitchen, living room or workshop. If the window frame is completely dismantled, the table top or bar counter becomes an important interior element connecting and simultaneously separating two different spaces. When the window remains, and the window sill is simply fitted in a cramped room to perform certain functions, all the same, there are plenty of options to use it. It is enough to use the imagination or experience of venerable designers. Consider in detail some examples.

Desk in the nursery

Desk in the nursery or teen bedroom - a simple and original design option. Unfortunately, families usually cannot allocate a large area for their offspring. The child usually has to live in a small room, but at the same time it is necessary to equip several functional zones at once. For the crumbs enough playground, where it will combine learning and entertainment. The student already needs a full-fledged place to study. If you combine the built-in long tabletop by the window with a small cabinet-case, you get a cozy workplace with good natural light. Another simple, but stylish option for the student is the corner table, which stretches from the former window sill and “walks” into the nearest wall. On such a long tabletop you can place several zones simultaneously: for creativity and games, for writing work and reading, for a computer.


    

Workplace in the living room

The workplace in the living room is placed only if there is no separate room in the apartment. A table-window sill in a room where the whole family and large companies gather on holidays will inevitably become multifunctional. Most of the time, the worktop will be used as a work or hobby area, but with the arrival of guests, it can be easily converted into a “stand-up” part of the room where snacks or cups with fragrant tea and sweets will be placed. Those who are planning to thoroughly equip a full-fledged work area will benefit from a more massive option, where the table is just a part of a large headset with shelves for books and drawers for papers and writing materials. For classic interiors, symmetric sets are selected, made of solid wood of precious woods. For high tech fit a combination of metal and glass, and in the budget options use the usual chipboard, MDF.


    

Dining table by the living room / kitchen window

Dining table-sill is an option that has become popular in recent years. For us, this solution may seem unusual and inconvenient, because the diners sit in a line, like at a bar or in an express cafe. Perhaps this decision is really devoid of notes of comfort home family meal, but it is ideal for bachelor apartments and those couples who prefer not to mix conversations and meals. 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 refurbished window sill in this case is to save space. Folding chairs, resembling garden counterparts, can be fitted to the table top, which can be removed under the table or hidden in a special niche if the dining area is not used at the moment.


    

Table-sill in the bedroom and how to use it

In the bedroom, a window sill can be used for different purposes:

  • As a workplace. If a couple lives in a room, then they will have to purchase a mobile screen or install a curtain rod with curtains so that the night vigils of one person do not interfere with another, who is trying to fall asleep. Complementing the desk with shelves with books, the designer will create a special "warm" atmosphere in the room, which is especially important for the bedroom, where the person is set to rest.
  • In the role of the dressing table. Every woman wants to have a small boudoir in the bedroom, where you can arrange for beauty care products on shelves and caskets. The only drawback of this solution will be the impossibility of installing a massive mirror, as the window will interfere. We'll have to replace it with a miniature portable version.
  • As a hobby zone. Some people fall asleep much better if they do their favorite business the day before, when the head rests (crafts, beadwork, embroidery, burning out, modeling, puzzles). For such a hobby you need a separate place. The window sill in this case will be the best solution.

The color of the tabletop is better to choose under the wallpaper and curtains. The composition of three shades, organically combined with each other, will help to create a light, relaxing atmosphere.

    

Countertop-sill in the kitchen

The worktop in the kitchen is more often used as a dining area. It is much less likely to be refitted 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 "interferes" on the way. As a rule, the tabletop is used for its intended purpose. Sometimes it is equipped with a sink, but there is a significant drawback - splashes of water will inevitably fall on the window glass, 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 hostess.


    

How to make a table-sill with your own hands

It is believed that the installation of the table-sill is better to combine with the replacement of windows. If the double-glazed windows will stand still for more than one year, and the tabletop is needed now, you will have to add one more preparatory to the main stages of the work. The process can be divided into the following steps:

  • Measurements, drawing production;
  • Dismantling the window sill;
  • Preparation of materials, cutting tabletops;
  • Mounting worktop;
  • Decoration (if required).

We will get acquainted with the necessary tools and consider each of the stages in more detail.

Required materials and tools

To work with the countertop will need:

  • A simple pencil, ruler and measuring tape;
  • Polyurethane foam, screws;
  • Jigsaw and hacksaw;
  • Level;
  • Drill;
  • Sealant and foam;
  • Metal profile (additional support);
  • Bars;
  • Metal tubes for legs;
  • Bulgarian (for metal cutting).

To dismantle the window sill will need:

  • Hacksaw and scrap for wooden window sill;
  • For concrete use a jackhammer and grinder.

PVC window sills can be dismantled in two ways (with preservation of slopes, plaster and without them). For the second case, the plaster and the slopes just beat off, and then cut with a knife a layer of construction foam. After such manipulations, plastic window sills, as a rule, are easily removed. To preserve the plaster and slopes, foam is filed under the PVC plate and cleaned bit by bit until it “hangs out”.

Worktop installation steps

Installing the tabletop instead of the windowsill is divided into stages:

  • First you need to take measurements and write data on paper.
  • Then make the stencil tabletops from a thin sheet of plywood or cardboard. It is applied to the raw piece of material and a table cover is cut out with a jigsaw along the contour.
  • In the tabletop immediately make ventilation holes that will pass the hot air from the radiator.
  • Then the cover is fixed under the window, setting it on the bars. As a support, a metal profile is used, which is pre-fixed on the wall. At this stage, it is imperative to check how flat the lid is. This will require a building level. If necessary, its position is adjusted to correct the slope.
  • Затем пустоты между конструкцией из крышки/брусков и стеной заполняют монтажной пеной. После ее полного высыхания излишки срезают, а места соединений обрабатывают герметиком.
  • Now it remains only to fix the legs. To do this, the metal tube is cut in accordance with the measurements. Special rubber or plastic plugs (sold in any hardware store) are attached to the legs so that they do not scratch the parquet / laminate, and on top of the tube they are attached to the worktop with screws.

If the window-sill-table will become only a part of the furniture set with drawers and drawers, then the table-top is fixed on other elements of the headset without the use of legs. When chipboard or MDF plates were used for the manufacture of the table top, then a special decorative tape was glued to the edge to hide the unpresentable cut of the material.

Conclusion

The conviction that the window sill is intended only for pots with aloe and geraniums is firmly entrenched in our consciousness, and it will not be possible to use it otherwise. Even in the last century, the fashion for the arrangement of sofas, reading corners, tables and storage systems appeared under a number of Western countries. These fresh design ideas came to us rather late, but still managed to get acclimatized with the stinginess of minimalism and laconicism of studio apartments. People began to disassemble accumulations of rubbish on the balconies and free the windowsills from the dominance of the room flora. And the apartments have been transformed. Began to look stylish, creative and modern. With proper approach, the table-sill will make more space in the room and will become a highlight of the interior.

Watch the video: Senior Living Design: Indoor Plants (March 2024).

Leave Your Comment