How to make a cupboard under the windowsill in the kitchen

When designing houses in the 60s, architects tried to rationally use every free corner. Since at that time not everyone had the opportunity to purchase a refrigerator, the builders made a built-in kitchen cabinet under the window to store food.

What is the niche under the windowsill in the kitchen

A winter refrigerator in a home is a free space that is formed by thinner brickwork than the rest of the walls. The outer wall is only one layer of brick thick.

To keep it cool, the kitchen cupboard has a ventilation hole to allow air to flow from outside.

Features and benefits of a winter "refrigerator" under the windowsill

The place for placing the kitchen cabinet was not chosen by chance - this section of the wall under the window in winter has the lowest temperature in the room.

The advantages of a winter cabinet include:

1. Multifunctionality rational use of a small area. Kitchens in Khrushchevs are quite modest, so the issue of saving space is especially acute. The cabinet under the window in the kitchen allows you to store stocks of cereals, canned food, homemade products.
2. Low temperature, even in the heat of summer. Thanks to the design and placement in the space under the window opening, the coolness is always maintained.
3. The possibility of redevelopment. If you do not need a cabinet as a place for food, it can be easily remodeled by installing a heating radiator or regular dish shelves.

The only drawback of the cabinet is low thermal insulation. With the onset of cold weather, heat leakage occurs due to too thin doors. Therefore, if you decide to make a redevelopment, you need to take care of insulation using heat-insulating materials.

How to restore an old Khrushchev refrigerator

There are several options for redeveloping the space under the window:

1. Leave the winter cooler function. To reduce heat leakage, you can install tight doors with a heat-insulating layer of gasket. The ventilation opening can be modified by integrating a supply valve. To prevent cabinet doors from interfering with opening, they are often made sliding.
2. Completely close the niche. In this case, the surface is leveled, the free space is filled with brickwork.
3. Make a regular wardrobe. The ventilation hole is sealed, the inner walls are finished with tiles or plasterboard panels. As a result, a regular cabinet is obtained from the winter refrigerator, where you can store any household items.The niche is equipped with ordinary shelves or drawers.
4. Move the pipes and connect the radiator. Part of the inner volume of the cabinet is filled with insulation. The remaining free space is allocated for the radiator.

We make a full-fledged cabinet from the refrigerator under the window

To make a regular cabinet out of a winter refrigerator, which will become one of the parts of a kitchen set, you must:

1. Insulate the wall. The best option would be to place the thermal insulation layer on the outside of the building. If for some reason this cannot be done, it is necessary to lay another layer of brick.
2. Eliminate the possibility of cold coming from the street. For this, the ventilation hole is filled with cement mortar or blown out with polyurethane foam.
3. Make niche cladding. For this purpose, drywall or ceramic tiles are used.
4. Install shelves and doors.

In the process of alteration, you can change the height of the window sill. At the same time, it is important to carefully measure the parameters when ordering windows. You can also extend the window sill by making a full-fledged cutting table out of it.

How to make a heating radiator in place of a refrigerator

If there is no need for storage space for workpieces or utensils, you can use the free space for mounting a heating radiator.

For this you need:

1. Dismantle doors and shelves.
2. Insulate. To prevent condensation from accumulating on the wall, brick should be used as an insulating layer. Only after laying it can you sheathe the niche with plasterboard. As a result, there should be a free space with a depth of about 15 cm.
3. Install the radiator. The location of the radiator under the window is one of the most optimal. The inflow of warm air, rising upwards, serves as a barrier to the penetration of cold from the window.

Glazing instead of the Khrushchev refrigerator

The part of the wall under the windowsill does not function as a supporting structure, so it can be dismantled without damage. A large window is installed in the resulting opening from the top to the floor itself. French glazing will make the kitchen brighter. Additionally, you can install a door and equip a loggia.

This option will require not only serious costs, but also coordination with the construction supervision authorities. Since such redevelopment affects the external appearance of the building, it is necessary to obtain permission to demolish part of the wall before starting work.

Interesting examples of kitchen design with a niche under the window

In addition to the listed options for transforming the kitchen niche under the window, there are several more ways to transform the cabinet and fit it into the setting:

1. Install the sink over the windowsill. The bottom of the cabinet is used for piping. It is worth considering that when installing the sink opposite the window, splashes will constantly fall on the glass, so it will have to be washed regularly.
2. Install an electric fireplace. This element is able to radically transform the look of a small kitchen and create a cozy atmosphere.
3. Make a built-in safe. The space under the window is ideal for setting up a cache. The outer side can be masked in such a way that no one will guess about the existence of a hidden safe.
4. Build in household appliances. If space permits, you can install a small compact model of a washing machine or dishwasher in the vacant niche. You can also make a shelf for a microwave oven in place of a kitchen cabinet.
5. Set up a minibar. The low temperature and the presence of ventilation create ideal conditions for storing drinks. You can also make a showcase with transparent doors from the cabinet and bring in interior lighting.
6. Make a dining area.In this case, the niche is completely disassembled, and a large tabletop is installed instead of the window sill. It can be combined with a sink or used to install a hob.

Tips and tricks for use

Regardless of the option for using the space under the window, you must follow the basic rules for using a niche:

1. When carrying out insulation, no space should be left between the sheathing and the wall. Condensation will accumulate in it, which destroys the brick.
2. If the ventilation hole is filled with polyurethane foam, the hardened compound must be cut and plastered from the outside.
3. If the cabinet serves as a winter refrigerator, you need to install tightly closing doors.
4. The outer facade of the doors can be chosen to match the color of the kitchen unit to ensure the integrity of the composition.

Many options for remodeling the cabinet under the windowsill will allow you to rationally use the space and transform the interior of the kitchen.

The design and location of the niche make it possible to show imagination and embody any ideas.

Video: niche under the window in the kitchen