5 Ways to Introduce Windows Behind Kitchen Cabinets
Think you need to choose between cabinets or windows in a kitchen wall? You might be able to have both
Becky Harris
22 December 2018
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
One common conundrum in kitchen design is choosing between wall-hung cabinets and windows. But as these five kitchens prove, placing windows behind glass cabinetry can work well too. This is a have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too solution – the cabinets provide ample storage for plates and glassware, while the windows behind them let natural light filter in. Here are five ways designers have interpreted this clever idea for different kitchen styles.
1. Traditional style: Corresponding glass panes
When designing this kitchen, the architects had seasonal affective disorder in mind. They wanted their clients to enjoy as much sunlight as possible during the region’s long winters.
The windows’ muntins (the bars dividing the panes of glass) presented a challenge. Because the windows and cabinet doors both required muntins to pull off this look, they needed to line up perfectly.
To do this, the architects started with the fixed windows (behind the cabinetry) and custom-designed the cabinets to echo the windows.
The windows below the cabinets are separate awning windows that open. Their panes are the same size as those on the windows above them, which creates a cohesive look.
To support the cabinetry, the architects had to get creative. They couldn’t hang them from the angled ceiling, and there weren’t walls on either side to attach them to, either. Instead, the sides of the cabinets contain steel plates that are fastened to steel angles built into the vertical posts between the windows.
When designing this kitchen, the architects had seasonal affective disorder in mind. They wanted their clients to enjoy as much sunlight as possible during the region’s long winters.
The windows’ muntins (the bars dividing the panes of glass) presented a challenge. Because the windows and cabinet doors both required muntins to pull off this look, they needed to line up perfectly.
To do this, the architects started with the fixed windows (behind the cabinetry) and custom-designed the cabinets to echo the windows.
The windows below the cabinets are separate awning windows that open. Their panes are the same size as those on the windows above them, which creates a cohesive look.
To support the cabinetry, the architects had to get creative. They couldn’t hang them from the angled ceiling, and there weren’t walls on either side to attach them to, either. Instead, the sides of the cabinets contain steel plates that are fastened to steel angles built into the vertical posts between the windows.
2. Transitional style: Picture windows
There is a simpler way to line things up for a transitional look. In this kitchen, the designer used a vertical picture window that was free of muntins.
The glass cabinet doors only have horizontal muntins, and the designer used cabinet shelves in glass to help them disappear from view. The middle cabinet directly in front of the window only contains glassware, which allows the natural light to pass through. This makes the most of the window and the storage potential.
Tip: If you’re using wooden shelves inside cabinets, line them up with the muntins in the cabinet doors for a clean look, otherwise there will be too many horizontal lines.
Wondering what’s the best material for kitchen cabinets?
There is a simpler way to line things up for a transitional look. In this kitchen, the designer used a vertical picture window that was free of muntins.
The glass cabinet doors only have horizontal muntins, and the designer used cabinet shelves in glass to help them disappear from view. The middle cabinet directly in front of the window only contains glassware, which allows the natural light to pass through. This makes the most of the window and the storage potential.
Tip: If you’re using wooden shelves inside cabinets, line them up with the muntins in the cabinet doors for a clean look, otherwise there will be too many horizontal lines.
Wondering what’s the best material for kitchen cabinets?
3. Transitional style: Translucent glass
This renovated home is less than a metre from the neighbouring house. So when the owner, who works in construction, installed windows along that side of the house, it was more about gaining light than views. “The window glass behind the cabinet is translucent,” says Eric Hartz of Gast Architects, the firm that helped bring the owner’s vision to life. “It produces a luminous presence that erases a sense of depth.”
As a nod to the home’s original architecture, Edwardian era-inspired leaded glass was chosen for the cabinet doors.
Here’s how to bring style and privacy with frosted glass
This renovated home is less than a metre from the neighbouring house. So when the owner, who works in construction, installed windows along that side of the house, it was more about gaining light than views. “The window glass behind the cabinet is translucent,” says Eric Hartz of Gast Architects, the firm that helped bring the owner’s vision to life. “It produces a luminous presence that erases a sense of depth.”
As a nod to the home’s original architecture, Edwardian era-inspired leaded glass was chosen for the cabinet doors.
Here’s how to bring style and privacy with frosted glass
4. Contemporary style: Suspended shelves
This kitchen is all about windows, so the homeowner, architect Laurie Kruhoeffer, concentrated a row of floor-to-ceiling cupboards on an interior wall. On the exterior walls, suspended shelves hang above the kitchen benches.
“We didn’t want there to be any dark corners in the kitchen,” says Kruhoeffer, so she designed windows behind the suspended shelves. When the solid timber doors on the lower cabinets are open, they also offer a view outdoors – a fun surprise.
See these fresh design ideas from urban Indian kitchens
This kitchen is all about windows, so the homeowner, architect Laurie Kruhoeffer, concentrated a row of floor-to-ceiling cupboards on an interior wall. On the exterior walls, suspended shelves hang above the kitchen benches.
“We didn’t want there to be any dark corners in the kitchen,” says Kruhoeffer, so she designed windows behind the suspended shelves. When the solid timber doors on the lower cabinets are open, they also offer a view outdoors – a fun surprise.
See these fresh design ideas from urban Indian kitchens
5. Contemporary style: Open shelves
If you prefer open shelving, you might be able to implement this idea at home. In this Toronto kitchen in Canada, the designer added long floating shelves in front of a row of three windows. The shelves are lined up with the windows’ horizontal muntins and painting the window trim black gave them a strong presence behind the shelves.
Tip: Long shelves like this will require strong structural support – shelves will sag without proper reinforcement. Here, the wall contains structural steel supports to hold up the shelves. In new construction, this can be planned at the framing stage. If renovating, your designer and trades may need to work around existing plumbing and wiring inside the wall, so be sure to plan properly before construction begins.
Read more:
9 Stunning Kitchen Window Treatments
Tell us:
Have you incorporated windows into your cabinetry design? Tell us how you pulled it off in the Comments below.
If you prefer open shelving, you might be able to implement this idea at home. In this Toronto kitchen in Canada, the designer added long floating shelves in front of a row of three windows. The shelves are lined up with the windows’ horizontal muntins and painting the window trim black gave them a strong presence behind the shelves.
Tip: Long shelves like this will require strong structural support – shelves will sag without proper reinforcement. Here, the wall contains structural steel supports to hold up the shelves. In new construction, this can be planned at the framing stage. If renovating, your designer and trades may need to work around existing plumbing and wiring inside the wall, so be sure to plan properly before construction begins.
Read more:
9 Stunning Kitchen Window Treatments
Tell us:
Have you incorporated windows into your cabinetry design? Tell us how you pulled it off in the Comments below.
What are you working on?
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Celestina: Then I'd definitely need the drop down motorized shades. Though I also think about what will that cost when it breaks as all things do break it seems ?
The problem with frosted and beveled glass to me-and I think it is pretty-is that you can actually tell what sex, size and general color a person is-just blurred. Therefore I am not reassured. I have lived in the country before and loved being surrounded by the livestock and the wildlife under the Oklahoma skies. But one is by no means safe from trespassers in the night. This is why ranchers have dogs that sleep on the porch. Also even in my little city setting-in a pretty safe city-people have started to fly drones about for entertainment-sometimes at night. I do wonder what they are up to. I once worked in criminal justice research. No one who has worked with serious offenders sleeps with open windows or without window coverings. When I see these beautiful houses with acres of uncovered windows I just think that people are lucky if they have no idea of the less savory aspects of human nature. Also what if one desires to be affectionate with one's partner at 3 in the afternoon ? I just think, when I see no curtains, do they have to hide in the closet ? There are lots of reasons to have window coverings.
@Cora: I really don't know the pricing on these type shades. Something to investigate as to cost and durability if interested. And yes, anything made by humans will break sometime. Question is - durability time as well as repair cost factor.
As to leaded, frosted, beveled and other types of glass, it all depends on how opaque you wish it. The more opaque the less light. I've seen some gorgeous architecture glass aka decorative that lets in light but you can't see anything inside except perhaps a vague outline that's very blurry. Take a look at this. Can you figure what image is on the other side? :) And there are many other style from etched to stain glass, leaded, wavy and on and on. However, lots of people prefer coverings like drapes, shades, shutters, blinds.
Great idea!!!