Why are Kitchen Sinks always in front of windows? 

Seeing that most people congregate in the kitchen for eating, socializing, cooking, and sometimes for homework, it’s important to ensure these spaces are functional and beautiful. After all, the kitchen is considered the heart of every home. One thing you’ll note though is that the kitchen sink in most homes is centered under a window. But does this always have to be the case? Should you install the kitchen sink under a window? Interestingly, this is one of the most frequently asked questions by homeowners when designing their home or planning a kitchen remodel. To quote their question; why are kitchen sinks always in front of windows? 

If you’re thinking about the placement and layout of amenities in your kitchen, I’m sure you’ve asked yourself the same thing at some point. 

Well, this article will help you get the answers you’re looking for regarding the placement of your kitchen sink. 

Read to learn more! 

Why are kitchen sinks by/ in front of windows? 

First of all, there is no general rule that states the kitchen sinks must be centered/ installed in front of windows. However, there are several benefits of installing the sink under a window, which is why most people prefer this placement in the first place. 

Some of those benefits are; 

• Abundance of natural light

Installing a kitchen sink under a window allows you to take advantage of natural sunlight. Consequently, undertaking tasks like food preparation and washing dishes in the sink will become more enjoyable and easier. Not to forget that natural light will help you save energy during the day by eliminating the need to use artificial lighting, making the kitchen more eco-friendly. 

In addition, a certain research demonstrated that spending more time near a window makes a person happier. At the same time, light shining through the window will boost your mood, just like sunlight does. This is because natural sunlight has a calming effect on your body temperature and boosts the production of serotonin in the brain. This will make you happier and more relaxed when doing dishes or washing vegetables and fruits in a sink that is placed under a window. 

• Makes kitchen plumbing easier to access and install 

Kitchen plumbing usually involves cold and hot water lines for the dishwasher and sink. Also, if your refrigerator has a water feature and an automatic ice maker, you’ll need convenient access to a cold water line. 

The easiest and most efficient way to ensure these lines are accessible is to run the plumbing system along the exterior wall, which also happens to be the ideal place for windows. For that reason, you’ll typically find the dishwasher next to the kitchen sink with the refrigerator close by. That way, if you even need to replace or replace the plumbing lines, you can easily access them from the kitchen sink. 

• Leaves space for other kitchen fittings 

A kitchen window takes up a significant amount of wall space and only leaves the space behind. Placing the kitchen sink under a window will allow you to utilize this space more efficiently. 

After all, you cannot have overhead cabinets on the window. For that, it’s more sensible to install the sink there as it will help you maximize your storage and countertop spaces. Even better, this will make it much easier to wash larger items in the sink since there are no overhead kitchen cabinets in the way. 

Moreover, installing the sink at the center of the window creates a sense of openness. As a result, the kitchen space will feel less confined and larger, improving the overall user experience. At the same time, this open layout will create an airy and more modern aesthetic, which is particularly beneficial if you’ve got a smaller kitchen. 

• Better air filtration in the kitchen 

Considering how common trash and raw foods are in the kitchen, it’s important to ensure the space has proper ventilation during a thorough kitchen clean-up or when cooking. Otherwise, unpleasant smells will linger in the kitchen or even spread out to other rooms in the house. 

For instance, if you let tons of containers, plates, and cooking utensils pile up in the kitchen sink before you wash them, your kitchen will get stinky relatively fast. Luckily, if the sink is under the window, you can easily get rid of the unwanted small by opening the window to get rid of them and let in fresh air. Also, this will come in handy when you burn something and throw it in the sink as the window will allow you to get rid of the smoke with ease. 

• Pleasant/ Scenic View 

While rinsing and washing dishes isn’t an existing chore, installing the sink under a window allows you to enjoy the pleasant views outdoors while handling the task, taking your mind off what you’re doing. For instance, you can watch wildlife and birds, see your garden and flowers, or simply look at the scenic views outdoors. 

Options for placing a sink in a windowless kitchen 

Although kitchen sinks are usually installed under a window, this doesn’t mean that your kitchen design should be limited in terms of functionality and layout if you’re planning to install it elsewhere. Interestingly, this will offer opportunities for efficient and creative design to ensure your kitchen is attractive, functional, and tailored to your needs. 

That said, here are 2 creative ways that you can use to place a sink in a kitchen that doesn’t have a window. 

• In the kitchen island

Installing the sink on a kitchen island is a popular trend and a highly functional option when used under the right circumstances. Even better, this central location will create a hub for cleaning and cleaning, making your kitchen space more interactive and social. Moreover, this will allow you to face your guests and family while cleaning up or preparing meals, resulting in a more engaging environment. 

Another notable benefit of installing the sink in a kitchen island is that it leads to an efficient kitchen work triangle. In general, the work triangle is a kitchen design concept that refers to the optimal functioning of the refrigerator stove, and sink to ensure maximum efficiency. With the kitchen sink on the island, you can move between these 3 points with ease, streamlining your cleaning and cooking processes. 

• Against a wall 

If putting a sink on the kitchen island is not a feasible option in your space, the only other alternative is to put it against a wall. 

The major benefit of this setup is that it will allow you to keep wet appliances like dishwashers, sinks, and washing machines close together. Thus creating a focused area for cleaning tasks and simplifying your plumbing system. 

However, you might want to forgo upper wall cabinets in that section to avoid a closed-in feeling and improve accessibility when using the sink. Alternatively, consider using shallow open shelves to provide storage stages for glassware and dishes while keeping the space airy and open. 

Another drawback of placing the sink against a wall without a window is that lighting will become more critical. For that, you have to install wall-mounted sconces or lights to provide targeted illumination for your sink area. That way, you’ll have adequate light for preparing food and washing dishes in the sink. Also, these lighting fixtures can serve as a design that adds style and character to your kitchen. 

Conclusion 

Putting kitchen sinks in front of windows is the ideal placement as it usually looks well-planned. Moreover, this layout will give access to plenty of natural light while preparing food and washing dishes. Even better, this will improve ventilation and air circulation in the kitchen, reducing unpleasant smells coming from the sink or garbage disposal. 

However, centering the sink under a window is sometimes not practical. Not to mention that there is no building code that requires you to install the sink under a window. Therefore, if it’s not feasible to put a sink under a window or your kitchen doesn’t have a window, you can always try out other creative configurations.