We purchased our home fully realizing our kitchen's shortcomings, but a standout feature no matter what our renovation decisions may be is the window above our kitchen sink. I often find myself washing dishes for longer than necessary, staring adoringly out the window. Endlessly entertained by chubby birds, bunnies and squirrels, I'm connected to the great outdoors by the kitchen window.

No matter what style kitchen you have, a window above the sink is always appropriate. Whether you have a sleek modern cookery or a traditional cucina, letting the sun shine in is a bonus. In fact, hanging window treatments on the kitchen sink window is not even necessary. I plan to replace our double-hung window with a casement and our surface-mount sink with an apron to enhance my nature-viewing experience.

Related: How to Remodel Your Kitchen

by ARCHIA HOMES »

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Massive bifold windows are featured above an apron sink. Perfect for enjoying a crisp breeze.

by w.b. builders »

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Appropriate in all styles of kitchens, this modern beauty features an undermount stainless steel sink with a two-lite casement window above it.

by Joan Heaton Architects »

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Located on a remote site in South Lincoln, Vermont, this property can be accessed only by foot. What I would give to gaze out of this kitchen window.

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by Pinto Designs and Associates »

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A massive stainless steel apron sink sits under black-trimmed casement windows at this Florida residence, allowing for a palm tree view.

by Smith River Kitchens »

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Enjoy a view of the Hamptons, New York, out of this double window. I'm especially in love with the farmhouse sink with built-in backsplash.

by Rauser Design »

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This Texas farmhouse kitchen features an undermount sink and an apron sink, both under windows. Double the pleasure, double the Lonestar view.

by Arch Studio, Inc. »

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Light bounces around the walls (in Benjamin Moore's Solitude) and on the cabinets (in Cotton Ball) in this bright kitchen thanks to the many windows, including the two above the apron sink.

by Jeff King & Company »

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Double-hung windows, placed over an undermount stainless steel sink, allow for viewing a beautifully landscaped San Francisco backyard.

by Culligan Abraham Architecture »

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Entirely surrounded by dark cabinets, this kitchen window especially pops above the sink.

by Cameo Homes Inc. »

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The snowy Utah landscape is visible just outside these windows with prairie-style muntins, above an undermount stainless sink.

More:
Your Kitchen: Farmhouse Sinks
23 Inspiring Real-Life Kitchens

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Comments

olldbobbi The view out my kitchen window is my neighbor's trash cans. They're in their 70's and in poor health so I know that's not about to change. So, I bought a beautiful window film (magnolia's) and it's so easy to install - instantly improved the view! When life gives you lemons.......

13 months ago · Like ·

bettyinmunich Had to share the view out my window. I don't mind washing dishes at our sink. Our neighbor's cat Felix often lays on the garage roof top on a patch of sunshine and that just makes my day.

13 months ago · Like ·

brasilpaint While I have a nice view from my sink, I really am more interested in the view from the stove...which usually is a wall. I thank the designer who chose to ignore the sacred "triangle" and give me a chance to stir my soup and look out to horses grazing on a hill. I never get tired of it......and, if given a choice, would always opt for that in any kitchen I cook in.

13 months ago · Like ·

Jennifer Great topic! Thank you for the ideas.

13 months ago · Like

melodycommander Interesting to stumble on this conversation. Starting our house soon and my whole kitchen will be designed around my view from the kitchen sink. On any given day there are up to fifty white tail deer grazing in our back pasture. Watching them is what I do instead of paying a therapist.

13 months ago · Like ·

patscats2 I insisted I have a window over the sink when my husband built our house. Only problem is it looks out to the side of the garage and is a tall window. I'm happy I have it, but really could have made out better with more cabinets. I already have an open floor plan so I really didn't need the window. Be careful what you wish for. LOL This was when we were in the process of building.

13 months ago · Like

CoorItalia Let me offer up two additional ideas for windows over sinks: The first is a bronze window that prjected outwards (it does not have to be metal). It is particulary useful as extra space to grow herbs capturing all the sunlight (and being close to the tap for watering!)

The second, as an alternative to the big bifold is a sliding window. These are powdercoated steel windows and they are "lift & slide" similar to lift and slide doors, but agian they can be made in a variety of types

13 months ago · Like ·

tanner2 I recommend an odd number of lights for a window-over-sink, so that you're not looking straight into molding while you're at the taps.

13 months ago · Like ·

flick Oooh! Making me very excited :-) Our kitchen does not have a window above the sink, so washing up can be a little boring - and frustrating when we have a beautiful back garden I could be looking at. Also despite French doors out onto the patio it can be quite a dark room. However, next week we are having a window put in!! I cannot wait to see how it changes the whole look of the room and it will be wonderful to watch my daughter playing or the birds on the birdfeeder without having to sidestep to the French doors! My husband is also very keen to have the new window (it was his idea in fact) but he can't understand why I am looking forward to having a little pot of basil on the window ledge - it's the small things!

13 months ago · Like

ycram I think many of these windows involve a big mistake - the framing falls right in the middle of sink, and right in the middle of the view for the person looking out. In most it is vertical - where two windows are centered over the sink - in some I wonder if the horizontal framing would fall right at eye level.

13 months ago · Like

Audrey Hennefer I put in a garden window and fill it with succulents and herbs

13 months ago · Like ·

optional999 I want to have a more pictures about the kitchen

13 months ago · Like

liz100 I feel like such a killjoy, my kitchensink window is very low and gets lots of waterspots. When it's clean it is beautiful, but I use my kitchen sink all day long,..so it can get pretty sloppy.

13 months ago · Like

sunnyelena WONDERFUL and inspiring pics!! Since I'm doing less hand-washing of dishes (filling dishwasher to conserve water), I'm thinking about moving my STOVE to under my kitchen winder when I knock down some walls to make a Great Room. Anyone have thoughts/experience??? Thanks!

13 months ago · Like

julesant I don't know if you can see this well (taken with my ipad) but I have a mother robin sitting on her four beautiful blue eggs right outside my window. Lovely.