Are you going to be doing an island?

Ours is on peninsula rather than under window, I love the access it gives from 2 sides and I can face my family/guests when doing dishes. That being said, when I'm alone doing dishes, I generally have tv on which is diagonal from
my sink and which I can and to me. It's a small undermount TV model that can fold up out of sight when not in use.

If you are building a new home, you have to find a place for a sink to face a window. Being in business almost 30 years, I just did kitchen remodeling with a similar situation, but that was an old house with an addition added to it and original house had the sink by the window but it was moved for some reason... Other than that I never seen a house whether it was built 100 years ago, 50 years ago or present where a sink would face the wall.

IMO having a sink facing the wall is a very poor design and I would do something to change that. I can see this being done in a bar area, or if there is 2 sinks in the kitchen and one is facing the wall, etc.

Many people don't have a window in their kitchen at all (apartments/ townhomes, etc) or face another person's window or need privacy and have to keep the blind closed - so it's certainly livable (I did for years and never thought about it). If you have no choice other than facing a wall, I think you'll easily get used to it and you could add lovely ceramics add a small tv above or even nearby on the counter. If you have a choice, place in an island, build a half wall so you can see into the other room, or place in a peninsula facing your dining area.

my sink faces a blind corner, but i'm only there to wash a pot or two after dinner when it would be dark out anyway. put the sink where it works best for you and use a dishwasher.

(photo taken before cabinet doors went on over the sink, and the trim).

I prefer the sink to face a window but in many of the new homes I saw this year the sink was in an island that faced the living area (open concept) and so faced the TV. I don't watch much TV, so prefer a window, but the other option is very popular.

Well the kitchen is in the middle of the house, that's why it can't have a window and yes, we'll have a prep sink in an island but the main sink is a farmhouse apron sink against the back wall with the dishwasher next to it. I have mostly seen cabinets on either sides with back splashes but was trying to think of something else.

I guess you could do a tile mosaic. But really, what a window offers is light and a nonstatic view. Nothing you install (other than a mini TV) will offer either of those.

You could have a place to put (in a waterproof frame) a favorite print or painting - something that makes you smile. Possibly a ledge like a small mantel to lean it on so you can change it occasionally, maybe seasonally.

As in Emily's kitchen, you could put a farmhouse sink in the island and have a dishwasher beside it. I would Not have a sink face a wall if at all possible.
Can you have your plans redrawn? Do it now, before you start.

Okay just re read your question. Yes take a look at Emily's photo above. See if you can have your farmhouse sink and dishwasher in the island, just move her sink from where it is to the island. Either have the dishwasher installed in the island next to the sink or on the wall behind the sink.It can be done especially if this is a new build! Will you have skylights in your kitchen for natural light?

No skylights. My husband is the cook and designed his island with a large built in cutting board (hole cut in for discarding waste with trash underneath), a prep sink in it and lots of prep room . Since I got EVERYTHING else in this house I wanted except the say so on the kitchen layout, I'm stuck with the main sink facing the wall (we tried). But the pic Staci has looks nice. And she's right, I'll just concentrate on the dishes! Ha!

Emily I meant....Emily's pic!

What I meant was look at Emily's sink, it could be in the island and not have to face a wall. IMHO it's not a good plan, since I am the main dishwasher in my family. If that is what you have decided seems there's no changing your mind. Have you had a few design plans drawn up or is this it?Sometimes a kitchen designer can come up with a compromise for both of you. If you plan on staying in this home for a while, think off how many hours will be spent with your back to your guests, facing a wall! A prep sink could easily be installed on the side with the wall near the cooktop.

Girlfriend with same issue. Old house, waaaay too expensive to move or cut through brick wall because of budget. We are thinking of a pretty tile. Maybe a shelf.

You won't notice the lack of a window. Our kitchen is also in the middle of the house, and quite dark. Lots of under cabinet lights and ceiling lights, and pendants over the island. Use LEDs, and experiment with the light color. We prefer bright white to soft white, it really lights up the kitchen!

I have experienced all three configurations, one with a sink on the island, one facing a wall and one facing a window. My least favorite configuration is the sink on the island. I like my island to be used for preps and having a big sink on the island takes much space away from a prep and the dirty dishes get piled up on the island. It takes much efforts to keep the island tidy with a sink. I actually do not mind facing a wall when I do dishes. I am focusing on cleaning dishes and don’t have a time to watch tv nor conversation when the water is running. I don’t mind facing a window when I do dishes, but when I wash dishes at night, I shut the shade so that I don’t display myself to outside.The kitchen with a sink facing a wall is a very modern kitchen and lighting is good and the back splash is a glass. Maybe that helps. Anyway I am designing my new house and after much thoughts, I have decided to move everything out of the island and have the range and the sink against a wall. I am in peace with the decision. Having a sink in front of a window limits the window height and I prefer more window than less window. So that is another reason to place a sink against a wall.

Who does dishes for 30 minutes anymore?

Aren't you going to have a dishwasher?

What about a mirror? Maybe a pretty mirror over the top of a backsplash to add light to the area?? My house also has the sink facing a blank wall so I am also trying to decide what to do about it. What do you all think?

My sink faces a wall and it has never bothered me. Like others have said, I’m looking at the dishes so it doesn’t matter. I’m just grateful to have gained a dishwasher in the remodel!

Do be sure to plan for and install good task lighting over the sink. (It can double as ambient light at night if it is dimmable.) If you don’t have a lighting plan, there are lots of excellent articles here you can reference. I’m happy to share some if needed.

I think it depends on which direction the window faces. Our house had an original (1960s) wall facing sink, which was never an issue. When we renovated 14 years ago, I was looking forward to our window-facing sink. Being able to look out into our south facing back yard and I thought, wow, a sunny kitchen! HOWEVER- as I live in the 51st parallel, during the winter, the sun remains very low on the horizon and beams me in the eye when I try to do dishes in the late afternoon. Over the years, I am becoming more and more annoyed by this. I have been known to even wear sunglasses while doing my dishes ha ha.