A window seat is a lovely idea in a kitchen with a surfeit of cabinets. It’s a little impractical for smaller spaces.

If you want to keep your sink cabinet in its current location, making your counter material descend and become the window ledge is one possible, if awkward move.

Look at your window ledge. Will the window still function with a cabinet there? If not, don’t do this. Consider putting the sink cabinet on the far right side of that wall, move the upper, and alter the remaining cabinets to fit under the window. If the cabinets cannot be altered, affix them to the wall on the left and leave the window free.

Move the planned sink and get a cabinet that's the proper height to fit under the window. If correct cabinet height not possible, locate some sort of rolling cart (bar cart?) or storage bench to put in front of the window if you need the storage.

I've read a few threads about this in the past so I would google 'low window behind counter' and you will get many ideas.

[great-solutions-for-low-kitchen-windowsills[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/great-solutions-for-low-kitchen-windowsills-stsetivw-vs~25381595)

Here's another.

counter-in-front-of-windows

Thank you all for your comments/suggestions. The kitchen in this NYC coop was designed like this by an architect to maximize storage space and comply with ADA requirements required of private homeowners in NYC living in multi-family buildings.

There will be a dishwasher installed next to the cabinet so a bench seat is not an option. The window is lovely, but at 48" x 72" it takes up 1/2 of the usable kitchen wall.

Given the circumstances, I was just trying to figure out the best method of designing the countertop.

Leave adequate space to get back there with the wand of a vacuum cleaner.

I'd be concerned with water dripping down behind the cabinet.

Add some low backsplash to the counter or get a sink with a backsplash?

Or like this?

Traditional Oak Scullery · More Info

I'd probably just go straight across with space behind the counter.

How much is the window recessed?

[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/great-solutions-for-low-kitchen-windowsills-stsetivw-vs~25381595[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/great-solutions-for-low-kitchen-windowsills-stsetivw-vs~25381595)

You may have to pull the sink cabinet forward.

I like the idea of floating the sink in front of the window. No way would I have the cabinet sitting higher than the widow behind it.

So a dishwasher is going to be partially in front of the window also? Does blocking a window like that meet building code requirements? What does the building code say about what is allowed when finishing cabs in front of a window?

For a basic solution, paint the back of the cabinet in case goop gets back there, run the counter as though there weren't a window hole there, and do the 2" (or higher) backsplash. I'd want to stuff plants in the hole (the window sill) so make sure the window sill is water resistant.

Don't take the counter all the way back into the window because it'll look weird on the outside and reduce window functionality.

@rantontoo - Blocking this window doesn't violate any NYC code that I am aware of. Given that the apt is on the 14th floor and the windows start 25 inches from the floor and are 6 feet tall, blocking that window actually gives a feeling of safety. I am amazed that NYC allows a window like that to fully open.

@nosoccermom - Your first pic is exactly what I was considering. The window area is very recessed. I don't have the measurements but the building required additional wall build out to provide additional wall insulation. The window is probably recessed 4 " plus probably another 2" for insulation

With that much recess, I'd just go straight across with a backsplash and add some herb or plant pots.

I'd try to line the backsplash up with the window grids.

Of course, something like this looks pretty nifty, too.

Actually, another question. Can you still open your windows with the cabinets in front of them?

I asked that same question this morning nos. If the answer is no, in my opinion, that means nothing should obstruct the window. Poor planning gets you every time...

A few years ago there was an amazing garage to kitchen renovation in a historic home where the windows couldn't be altered. The cabinets were in front of the windows like this. Does anyone remember this? It was amazingly well done.

Maybe you're thinking of lauraeds' garage-to-kitchen? Alas the pics are no longer in her reveal post, but she does talk about the sink/counter problem + her approach here. Image-googling 'lauraeds gardenweb' will result in some of the pics

Yep...that's it. That darn photobucket!

@eam - Yes, the windows are still very operable with the cabinets in front of them. Although beautiful and probably dangerous, they open fully outward.

Admittedly, I am not so sure how more planning could have mitigated the site conditions of this space. Only two walls were available for cabinetry and half of one wall is taken up by a six foot window that is only 25" off of the floor. Space is at a premium in NYC apartments.

Thank you to everyone for your help!

Here's one pic of lauraeds' kitchen, taken from a search page:

Another pic of similar circumstance:

If the window remains operable then block it as you wish and proceed as planned, but you do have a third wall, the one abutting the window.

Again, Id consider moving the lower cab in the right hand corner, as well as the too tall cab currently “under the window” to that third wall, and putting the sink and dw to the right of the window.

Thanks so much.

Please note that I can't block the third wall because the ADA requires that I leave that space open so person in a wheel chair can have 3ft side access to open the pocket door.