Small Kitchen layout, low window in historic house

11 years ago

We are trying to lay out an updated kitchen in our old (1889) New England farmhouse and I'm curious what other people's experience with counters around low windows have been. I've seen people build the counter right across in front of the window and I've seen people build a low counter or window seat in front of the window and I've some interesting in between options with open cabinets that let the light through. I want to know what options you've seen and especially how well they work for using the kitchen. Some particular constraints we have that may influence the discussion:

The window sill is 24" off the floor.
We currently have a 30" table in front of it and my wife (who is 5'2") likes that height and is thinking she wants some worksurface at that height in our kitchen.
The stove is almost immediately adjacent to the window on one side (9" to the trim) and there is a wall not far on the other side (12" trim to wall).
The whole kitchen is 10'x9' and seriously lacking in counterspace (we're planning on putting a small row of cabinets in the dining room adjacent just to have some more work surface and storage).

I've attached a couple pictures of the layout of the room and the layout of that wall in particular. I'd love to hear what others would do and why.

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Comments (5)

Judy Mishkin
11 years ago
i wrestled with this myself just a few months ago. this window is one of only 2 original to the house and i didnt want to remove it even if the historic district commission would have let me.

i looked at the same houzz pictures as you did. i found the counter crossing the window in an L appealing but looked too modern for me. instead of a boxy cabinet to the left i went with a freestanding cupboard which utilized the same space actually but not visually.

if you can similarly use a free-standing island/table in front of the window i think its the best bet. having things raised off the floor, seeing the floor go beneath it, gives a feeling of spaciousness that built in cabinets take away even with furniture feet on them.

if you are going modern, i think counter crossing the window is fine. have the fabricator notch the back so you dont have to harm any casing on the window if its original.
starmatt thanked Judy Mishkin
starmatt
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
The window is not original (previous owner installed newer windows), but the casing is (as far as I can tell). There is a matching window in the adjacent dining room wall (same exterior wall), so it would look funny if we put in a shorter window. Not to mention the expense of replacing the window (and the subsequent exterior work), so I think that option is out.

I think my wife is leaning towards a counter going across the window at 30" off the floor so she has her lower work surface for rolling out pie crust and anything that leads to more pies in my house is considered a good thing . . .

We have a table with a couple drawers at that location now and it doesn't impede access to the window too much. If we do go that way, we'll be sure to have the back notched around the woodwork.
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Judy Mishkin
11 years ago
mmmm pie!
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
11 years ago
Actually a baking center for kneading bread and rolling out pastry is 30" high for comfort so maybe try designing that at the windowlike your wife suggested.
Cheryl Moreau
10 years ago
A rolling cart/table with locking wheels and a butcher block top is great for baking and can be placed anywhere. I have 2 in my tiny kitchen, one looks like a cabinet, has 1 shelf door-front storage and is 30" high for kneading, rolling dough & etc. I have a taller FOLDING cart all metal that sits in front of a window. I can put it up or take it down depending on how much storage or worktop space I need. Additional plus - you can take it with you when you move. Many such carts are available in a wide range of prices.