Let There Be Light… For Your Kitchen

Let There Be Light… For Your Kitchen

Other than designing high gloss kitchen units in the liveliest shade possible, the best way to brighten up an otherwise dull or tired kitchen is to install a new window and literally let the sun in.

Regardless of the size of your kitchen this can make a huge difference to its appearance. A skylight can be just as effective too of course, but not many kitchens have an open-access roof on which to do this.

Putting in a new window might not be a big a job as you might think. There’s a process you have to go through of course, sometimes it’s just a matter of putting in the new window and then other times you will require acquiring planning permission (particularly if you live in a conservation area and your home is listed or you’re building in an exterior wall) as the new window could also affect the structure of your building.

The local authority will also want you to check that the window won’t invade the privacy of neighbours (if so, all is not lost as it’s possible to use frosted glass or some other form which means you won’t be able to see directly into their home). We can take care of everything for you though and we will deal with all paperwork from your initial ideas right through to completion and sign off with your local council.

When creating a new window consider how it’ll look not just from the inside but the outside too. It’s best if all windows in your home are of a similar size and complement each other appearance-wise.

You’ll also need to take into account the window’s location in terms of whether it will interfere with your kitchen design, in most cases the kitchen sink usually goes below the window so it’s worth checking if any plumbing or electrics need to be rerouted to new locations.. Again, we can take of everything and give you advice on the best options and layout.

Other things to consider are to ensure you’ve enough roof to accommodate a structural header the window should really be around 16 inches beneath the height of the kitchen’s ceilings (it’ll also look better if this is the case). It should also be above the height of any splash backs as you will want to make sure you have a splash back below the window if the sink is going here (again, for aesthetic reasons).

Another idea is to consider where the window will go and the direction of the sunlight for example, whether it’s south (direct sun light) or east-facing etc.

Think about your windows too as possible extra storage space. A bay window for instance will give you an extra shelf to store items (such as plants or a mug tree) which are already taking up valuable space on your counter which could be used for preparing food. Then again too big a window will reduce the amount of wall unit storage so have a think about this.

A casement window is great for kitchens which don’t have a lot of space, and they’ll provide plenty of fresh air.

Sliding windows are convenient to operate and very easy to clean. And they don’t have to be vertical either. Horizontal windows across your sink can look just as good and will, in fact, provide cupboard space above. If you can afford it, think about double glazing as this will lead to less heat loss and make your kitchen cosier in winter.

A mistake to watch out for and you would be surprised the amount of times I have seen this, is if you are getting a window that opens in the way ( towards the room ) and the sink is below the window then make sure that the window does not open in and hit the tap. It’s a particular challenge in older tenement style properties when high swan neck style taps are installed. The most common ways of solving it are to build the new window with a false panel below it so that the actual window is raised and will clear the tap. Another way would be install a sliding window but if it’s recessed in a bay area then this might be hard to work.

You can also get picture windows and they will result in a lot more light but there won’t be much fresh air.

Hope this helps,

Team My Beautiful, x