What's Behind Your Kitchen Sink?
Kitchen sinks that don't have a window behind them often need another focal point. Here are 12 ideas for what to do
There is an unspoken rule in kitchen design that the kitchen sink should be centred under a window with a view. This is a great rule for the natural light it provides, but what if your kitchen doesn’t have a window? Well, here’s a chance to be a rebel and make your own rules. Windowless kitchens present an opportunity to create an interesting above-sink focal point – one that can even be functional.
2. Chalkboard
Consider combining the practicality of display shelves with a chalkboard backdrop. The sink is a centre of activity in the kitchen, so having a chalk message board for family members to communicate with one another is a genius way to take advantage of the constant traffic.
Consider combining the practicality of display shelves with a chalkboard backdrop. The sink is a centre of activity in the kitchen, so having a chalk message board for family members to communicate with one another is a genius way to take advantage of the constant traffic.
3. Pop of colour
Adding a tile splashback with a pop of colour behind the sink is a great way to brighten up a windowless kitchen – especially when the refrigerator echoes the colour of the tile, as shown in this photo.
See more tiled splashbacks
Adding a tile splashback with a pop of colour behind the sink is a great way to brighten up a windowless kitchen – especially when the refrigerator echoes the colour of the tile, as shown in this photo.
See more tiled splashbacks
4. Floating shelves
Floating shelves add a modern sensibility to a kitchen, as well as extra storage for glasses, plates and bowls – though you might choose to store infrequently needed items, rather than everyday favourites, on that top shelf.
Floating shelves add a modern sensibility to a kitchen, as well as extra storage for glasses, plates and bowls – though you might choose to store infrequently needed items, rather than everyday favourites, on that top shelf.
5. Single shelf
Sometimes less is more. A single long shelf provides a great focal point, especially when made from an interesting material like reclaimed wood or even marble. If the shelf is installed about 45 to 50 centimetres above the bench, its contents will be accessible for most adults without the need of a step stool.
Sometimes less is more. A single long shelf provides a great focal point, especially when made from an interesting material like reclaimed wood or even marble. If the shelf is installed about 45 to 50 centimetres above the bench, its contents will be accessible for most adults without the need of a step stool.
6. Glass cabinet
Glass cabinets are great for displaying glasses and dishes while keeping them dust- and grime-free – a terrific idea for those wary of open shelving due to these issues.
Glass cabinets are great for displaying glasses and dishes while keeping them dust- and grime-free – a terrific idea for those wary of open shelving due to these issues.
7. Mirror
A great way to bring light and a focal point to a windowless kitchen is to add a mirror over the sink. A mirror creates the illusion of spaciousness by adding depth. And it reflects light emanating from the lighting fixtures, making the room brighter.
Kitchen mirror ideas to reflect on
A great way to bring light and a focal point to a windowless kitchen is to add a mirror over the sink. A mirror creates the illusion of spaciousness by adding depth. And it reflects light emanating from the lighting fixtures, making the room brighter.
Kitchen mirror ideas to reflect on
8. Television
How do you get your significant other or the kids to do the dishes? You install a TV over the sink. Warning: dishwashing time may go up, depending on programming.
How do you get your significant other or the kids to do the dishes? You install a TV over the sink. Warning: dishwashing time may go up, depending on programming.
9. Bookshelf
Where better to display your cookbooks than above the kitchen sink? While you are cleaning up, you can peruse the titles and dream about your next meal.
Where better to display your cookbooks than above the kitchen sink? While you are cleaning up, you can peruse the titles and dream about your next meal.
10. Towel bar
Install a towel bar below a shelf to display decorative dish towels. And if you’re the practical type, go ahead and use the rack to dry wet towels.
Install a towel bar below a shelf to display decorative dish towels. And if you’re the practical type, go ahead and use the rack to dry wet towels.
11. Shelves with sliding doors
This is a very cool combination of floating shelves and frosted sliding panels. The panels add interest and depth to the shelves.
How open shelving can solve your kitchen woes
This is a very cool combination of floating shelves and frosted sliding panels. The panels add interest and depth to the shelves.
How open shelving can solve your kitchen woes
12. Simplify
There are so many ways to bring focus to a windowless sink. One of the simplest is to tile the wall behind the sink to the ceiling and just leave it blank. No cabinet, no shelf, no anything … well, maybe a simple wreath, as in this photo, or a piece of art. Whatever you decide, the beauty of this blank-slate solution is that you can change the look whenever the mood strikes. That’s really what good design is all about: it’s always evolving.
TELL US
Do you have a window behind your kitchen sink, or something else instead? Tell us all about it in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more about kitchen design ideas
There are so many ways to bring focus to a windowless sink. One of the simplest is to tile the wall behind the sink to the ceiling and just leave it blank. No cabinet, no shelf, no anything … well, maybe a simple wreath, as in this photo, or a piece of art. Whatever you decide, the beauty of this blank-slate solution is that you can change the look whenever the mood strikes. That’s really what good design is all about: it’s always evolving.
TELL US
Do you have a window behind your kitchen sink, or something else instead? Tell us all about it in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more about kitchen design ideas
Plate racks, such as the retro one pictured here, come in many shapes and sizes. In addition to adding a playful focal point above the sink, the rack also provides easy access to everyday dishes.