Shapes and sizes
Bay windows come in six shapes - semicircular, square, trapezoidal (with different angles and number of edges), triangular.
Unusually shaped bay window of a private house
In private houses, these decorative elements are usually made semicircular or multifaceted, but very close to semicircular in shape. The sizes are chosen arbitrarily - at the request of the owners. But kitchens with a bay window are rarely built in a private home. This architectural “excess” is usually reserved for the living room, rarely for the bedroom, and even less often for the office. It’s just that the living room allows you to spend time looking out the window. After all, a large window is one of the main advantages of this decorative element.
Standard forms of bay windows
If we talk about high-rise buildings, then kitchens with a bay window are implemented in houses of the P-44T series.
Reference. The P-44T house is a further development of the predecessor P-44 series. It is distinguished by increased thermal insulation of external hinged panels, higher ceilings inside apartments (2.7-2.75 m versus 2.64 m), bay windows and half-bay windows on the facade. Due to the low cost of production and installation, and at the same time quite comfortable apartment sizes for panel houses, the series has become very widespread and is still being built.
The smallest bay window kitchens in houses of the P-44T series - for one-room apartments - have an area of up to 13-14 square meters. This is not bad at all and there is room for improvement. For apartments with two or more rooms - an area of 16 square meters or more. Such premises allow you to come up with and implement interesting projects.
Kitchen with a bay window in a private house: distinctive advantages
For private houses, this form of construction can significantly transform both the interior and exterior. Such an architectural structure can be of absolutely any shape - from a clear geometric square to a round or trapezoidal shape. It can cover one floor or extend to the roof, adding its own flavor to the interior of each level. A kitchen with a bay window in a private house can be of a corner design or wall-mounted, and, as a rule, is decorated with panoramic windows.
In a private house, the process of arranging a working area for cooking in the bay window area is much simplified, since it is possible to provide all the necessary communications and ventilation hoods during construction. If the house was purchased without them, such conversion will not require permission from the relevant authorities, which, in turn, is mandatory for apartments in multi-storey buildings.
Otherwise, a kitchen with a bay window in a private house has the same possible arrangement options as a kitchen in P-44t buildings with a bay window.
In conclusion, we can once again emphasize that a bay window in the kitchen provides an undeniable advantage to the owners in opportunities for design and self-expression. The original layout provides a chance to move away from established “template” interiors and make the kitchen space more functional and stylish.
Free access
The simplest solution is to leave the kitchen bay window free. Here you can put a couple of comfortable chairs and a small coffee table. By hanging translucent curtains on the windows or installing roller or Roman shades or blinds, we achieve the look and functionality that seems more acceptable to you.
You don’t have to clutter up the space... if the space allows
The disadvantage of this solution is obvious - irrational use of the premises. If this is not critical for you, the solution itself is not bad: you can admire the view. In other cases, they try to develop a kitchen design with a bay window so that it is not only beautiful, but also functional.
We solve a design problem. Given: bay window in the kitchen
A bay window is a protrusion on the facade of a building that allows:
- Increase the space of the room;
- Improve its illumination;
- Create an original interior design.
In addition, it should be noted that, as a rule, kitchens with a bay window in houses of any type are relatively small - they have an area of about 10 sq.m., in P-44T houses most often the footage is about 13 sq.m.
What other data should you keep in mind when creating your design project? Of course, the shape of a bay window.
There are protrusions of different shapes:
- Round;
- Rectangular;
- Multifaceted;
- The P-44T, P-44M, P-44K series and other standard houses are characterized by a kitchen with a triangular bay window, a corner half-bay window and a trapezoidal projection.
Cooking area in the bay window
One of the most rational ways to arrange a kitchen with a bay window is to create a work area. Work tables without wall cabinets are installed in the ledge, and gas stoves or other gas equipment cannot be installed here. You can install electrical appliances, but it’s hardly worth it - you can’t hang a hood here, and it’s difficult and expensive to organize the removal of polluted air any other way. So it's a good idea, but difficult to implement.
You can install floor-mounted kitchen cabinets in the bay window in the kitchen
If the layout allows, you can move a table with a sink here, but usually you have to run water and sewer pipes - the risers are located far away. The result is a rather long route, which is also expensive to construct and not very convenient to use: if the pipes become clogged, cleaning them is not the easiest or most enjoyable job.
Kitchen layout with sink in bay window
So, in the ledge in the kitchen there are floor cabinets with a countertop. It's nice to work looking out the window. Without any problems, you can place a mini-fridge or freezer up to a meter high in this area. At this height they fit under the tabletop. Refrigeration equipment of this size is enough for one or two people. This option can be seen in one-room apartments. There is not much room to turn around here and this is perhaps the best kitchen design with a bay window for such a case.
Not a bad solution, but not ideal
There are two disadvantages to organizing a working kitchen area in a bay window. The first is that access to the windows is closed. The main advantage of a bay window is a wider view. When setting up a work area in a kitchen bay window, the view can only be enjoyed while working. Sitting at the other end of the room you won't see much. This is also not bad, but...
The second drawback is the complexity of implementing most ideas, which means additional costs. Even if you just put in furniture, it will have to be made to order. It will not be possible to assemble a modular kitchen - the layout is non-standard, you need corner cabinets with non-standard corners and filling. So it’s only made to order, and that’s a lot of money.
What can be placed in a kitchen with a bay window
- Place for eating. In this case, the table can be a continuation of the window sill, and those sitting behind it can admire the view from the window.
- Work zone. The kitchen is made to order and built into the bay window. If you plan to place a gas stove, then you should exclude any curtains that could easily catch fire.
The device in the bay window of the sink will require the transfer of communications
- A place to relax. This could be a well-shaped sofa, several comfortable armchairs with a coffee table, chairs and a shelf for books.
- Mini office. It is better to fence it off with a screen or small partition. There could be a desk with a laptop or notebooks, a desktop computer, or even an easel with paints.
- Winter Garden. Lots of plants that will receive daylight all year round and grow actively. Such a place must be insulated.
Next to the small winter garden you can place a coffee table and a couple of comfortable armchairs
- Finish without furniture. This option assumes that the purpose of the bay window will change periodically - in summer you can sunbathe there at the open window, and in winter there will be a Christmas tree in it.
For each zone, you should select appropriate lighting - the set can be illuminated with built-in spotlights or a strip of LEDs, the resting place can be illuminated with a floor lamp, and the “office” can be illuminated with a table lamp or sconce.
Dinner Zone
Another opportunity to make a kitchen design with a bay window functional is to arrange a dining area here. If you place the table so that half of the space remains free, it will be comfortable and beautiful. The table does not have to be placed close to the window, but if necessary, you can do so.
The dining area is a good option: it’s both functional and has access to windows
Pros - free access to windows, the ability to make zoning, ease of implementation. The size and shape of the table will need to be decided additionally, but it is quite possible to find a ready-made dining table. You can search among folding/folding tables. In this case, it will also be possible to increase functionality.
Ideas for using space
The interior of a kitchen with a bay window, the layout of which is made depending on the functional purpose of the additional space, has great variety.
Let's look at the most common ideas for decorating a kitchen with a bay window.
Dining area , for the organization of which it is important to choose the right kitchen furniture. For example, when designing a trapezoidal protrusion, a rectangular table would look good, and for a round one, an oval one.
An important aspect when decorating a dining area is the correct location of the furniture set, which is selected based on personal preferences and the dimensions of the bay window space.
Some ideas for the dining area:
- the sofa is installed around the perimeter of the bay window, and in front of it is a table and chairs.
- a dining table is installed and chairs around it.
Recreation area - allows you to use additional space as a separate room. Zoning is done by partitions, plaster stands or curtains.
The interior of this area imitates the decor of a living room. By placing upholstered furniture around the perimeter of the bay window, you can create a wonderful place to relax. It would also be a good idea to install a coffee table and a pair of armchairs , thereby creating a place for the whole family to gather.
One of the options for arranging a recreation area is to increase the window sill on which you can relax and admire the view from the window.
Advice! If the room is small, it is recommended to use a sofa with a folding structure, this will save space and, if necessary, organize an additional bed.
The next option for arranging a vacation spot is creating a winter garden . Thanks to good lighting, large plants grow well in such places. It is recommended to plant them in large pots, which act as a decorative element.
This area can also accommodate a small couch and coffee table. Having thought through all the nuances of designing a winter garden, you can create an original and unusual atmosphere in the kitchen. It all depends on the area of the protrusion, imagination and personal preferences of the owner.
Work zone . This idea allows you to use every corner of the kitchen to your advantage. During the daytime, the work surface is well lit, which has a beneficial effect on the cooking process.
The bay window perfectly accommodates various kitchen attributes, such as a sink, countertop, bar counter or shelves. An interesting solution for designing a work area is to install modules with shelves on the sides of the bay window, allowing you to save free space and visually expand the ledge itself.
The disadvantages of this idea include:
- the need to order furniture to match the size and shape of the bay window, since the standard option will not work;
- when installing a sink in a bay window, installation of communications is necessary, which complicates the repair process;
- When the sink is located near a window, the process of contamination accelerates.
But any problem can be solved if the kitchen is properly designed.
Advice! It is not advisable to install a stove near a window, since its installation requires an exhaust hood, which will ruin the appearance.
Bar counter
For young people, sitting at the dining table is boring - you can make a bar counter along the bay windows. It does not block the view from the windows, and looks modern, and the functionality is normal. That is, of course, if you like to sit on high chairs and try to squeeze into a small space.
You can make a high bar counter and also put a dining table
For those who plan to periodically sit at the table, and not just at the bar, there are folding or folding dining tables. When folded, they take up very little space. There are tables in the form of a cabinet, there are even ones very similar to a picture or a mirror in a frame. In general, there is room for imagination, and of decent size.
By the way, you can combine it - make a stand on one half of the bay window, and a table on the other. You will need to select levels, think about width/depth, and don’t forget about safety (so as not to hit the edge of the bar counter).
Sofa: comfortable or not?
If you really need extra sleeping space, you might consider installing a sofa in your bay window. At first glance, this idea seems very attractive - you can admire the view from the window while sitting on the sofa. This is a plus because there is an extra bed. If the sofa is folding, there can be two or three sleeping places.
This option just seems convenient...
But there are also disadvantages: in practice it turns out that this is not so convenient - you cannot approach the windows, and most of the panorama is covered by the backrest. And if you add to this the high cost of a custom-made sofa and the rather low probability of selling it due to limited demand, you get a not so rosy picture.
Therefore, even if you need a sleeping place, try to design a kitchen with a bay window so that at least half of the windows are free. Because a sofa that covers everything simply eats up space and is also uncomfortable.
Arranging a working area in the bay window
In a situation where the window reveals a not entirely attractive landscape or the kitchen with a bay window is located on the first floors, it makes sense to equip the protrusion area as a work area. Such a modern interior has its advantages and certain disadvantages. Let us list the advantages of such a modern design idea:
- improved illumination of the tabletop during the day;
- inquisitive natures have scope for observation during household chores;
- An individual interior compares favorably with standard apartment design plans.
Along with some advantages of designing a kitchen work area in a bay window, significant difficulties arise in parallel that should be thought about in advance:
- relocating communications in the kitchen will significantly increase the cost estimate;
- project design documentation is subject to mandatory approval;
- the height of the ceilings in the kitchen is reduced by raising the floor level;
- ordering an individual furniture project differs from standard ideas in terms of financial costs;
- the sink and stove, located in the bay window close to the windows, provoke their frequent fogging and contamination;
- Installing a ceiling hood requires a special approach;
- Central heating in the kitchen does not make it possible to move the radiators; when they are covered with a set, air circulation is disrupted and there is a risk of mold.
Advice! The idea of holes in the window sill, which acts as a countertop, will help avoid such troubles in the kitchen. Slots for ventilation are also formed at the bottom of the headset on the back wall.
By moving them to the side, the difficulties of placing the working surface in the bay window area can be significantly reduced. Another alternative modern design idea is to create a continuous countertop for the work area and bay window, allowing guests to enjoy the view from the kitchen window while you prepare a meal for them.
Window decoration in a kitchen bay window
When designing a kitchen with a bay window, you will definitely encounter the problem of window design. The choice of curtains for the kitchen is standard, but depends on the chosen method of using the bay window area:
- If you have free access to the windows or if the bay window in the kitchen is used as a dining area, you can hang any curtains at all, including long classic floor-length curtains with tulle.
- All other options are limited to short options: the same classic combination - curtains + tulle - but up to the length of the window sill or the working surface of the table;
- roller blinds;
- blinds - vertical or horizontal;
- Roman curtains.
Many people believe that roller blinds are the most convenient
In any case, it is advisable to choose fabrics that wash well. But the selection of colors, shades, textures is a purely individual matter and depends on the chosen style of the kitchen.
Design Rules
A bay window is a part of a room that protrudes beyond the plane of the walls. It can be glazed around the entire perimeter and have one or more windows.
The most common are rectangular, triangular and semicircular bay windows, but sometimes, especially in private individual construction, you can find rather non-standard shapes.
You can use the bay window space in different ways:
- arrange a dining area in it;
- create a thoughtful work area;
- make a small recreation room, winter garden, study.
In the latter case, zoning will be required. Decorative partitions, including those based on textiles, will help to implement it.
To ensure that your idea pleases with a stylish and effective result, use the following recommendations from designers:
- windows in this area should not be cluttered, covered with furniture or other interior items;
- to decorate openings, use light curtains or tulle, complementing them with blinds, Roman or roller blinds;
- for decoration, use delicate pastel shades that can make the room lighter and more spacious;
- pay due attention to creating a spectacular lighting design;
- use a single stylistic direction when arranging the main part of the kitchen and the bay window;
- For visual zoning, you can use different colors and shades in the design of walls, ceilings, and textiles.
These simple recommendations will help you avoid key mistakes in designing a kitchen with a bay window and create an original, stylish design.
