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Windows Design Dilemma Kitchens

Kitchen Design: Window Woes & A Backsplash Dilemma

4 years ago

Hi, Houzzers! After lots of penny pinching, we're finally ready to dive into a kitchen renovation - so exciting. Overall, we're going light and bright - white cabinets and light counters - with a splash of black on the island. Before we start tearing things apart, there are a few design "quirks" I'd love your thoughts on...

1) I love the minimal aesthetic of a short backsplash constructed from countertop material (example here). Since there aren't any spots where water or grease would contact the walls, this would work from a functional perspective. We'd need to shift the outlets and light switches up a few inches to accommodate. The question is - how would you treat the built-in desk? Would you stair-step the backsplash down to the desk? Or just end it where the higher section of countertop ends?

2) A good framed out window is my jam. The windows over the kitchen sink are a little weird, in that there's no drywall above the window. So, it seems like it might be odd to try and trim these out. Thoughts?

3) Now let's refer back to the fabulous octagonal window over the desk. In addition to having a direct view into the neighbor's backyard, it is also perfectly positioned to blind you during dinnertime in the summer. So, two options here - a) replace this delight with a larger, rectangular window that aligns with the top height of the windows over the kitchen sink. Probably super expensive, as it'd be around 50" x 40", but maybe worth it b) a minimal, modern way to cover this delight up.

A few gratuitous photos...

Zoomed out view of problem side of kitchen:

Entry into the kitchen from the laundry room:

Opposite side of the kitchen (opens into family room):

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this novel!

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Comments (6)

utdrea42
Original Author
4 years ago
Worth noting - we're planning to keep the overall layout as-is, and we're painting (rather than replacing) the cabinets since they're solid wood and in good shape, other than the finish.
herbflavor
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Wow I guess we all have different eyes. I would change backsplash to a white subway , paint walls lighter (near white) keep cabs and counter as is and get a custom treatment for existing window(swing arm w classy fabric you can swing open or close or halfway if not sitting at desk) . A white subway tile with tan/brown grout showing in same position as your tile and whitish walls would do a lot. You want the 4 in backsplash and rip out that granite and paint the cabs and pay to rip out a unique window? I'm confused then. The cabs in truth are good looking but older w no drawers. Best leave them add hardware as you will want to replace at a certain point.
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Kristin S
4 years ago
Do you use the desk as a desk? If not, what about converting it to a single height counter, either with new cabinets in the desk spot (made to match the old ones) or raising that piece to align with the others?
User
4 years ago
Do you need the desk? I’d be tempted to eliminate it and the window to continue the kitchen all the way to the wall. Hard to tell from pictures how big the kitchen is but I’m thinking the desk area could be used better.
damiarain
4 years ago
Hmmm yeah I wonder if you could:

1 fill in the window

2 remove the desk

3 move the cabinet to the right of the desk over against the wall

4 but a range in the new hole

....

either way, I do think the suggestion above to leave the cabinet color alone but up the brightness via light counters, backsplash and paint is a good plan

(but depending on your budget, maybe a reworked layout with new cabinets that are largely drawer units could be in your future? :)
utdrea42
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks so much for the thoughts!

We’re likely to keep the desk (I work from home in the evenings, so it gets lots of use!). But will definitely think about raising the countertop to create a continuous surface... maybe there’s another spot I can camp out :)

And I’d love to leave the cabinets unpainted but unfortunately they clash pretty badly with the floors in real life. New cabs is the dream, just not quite in the budget!

Hope everyone’s having a lovely day! Again, appreciate you taking a moment to think about someone else’s spaces!

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