Jill Sharp Brinson seen in House Beautiful
Have you noticed kitchens with large windows sitting almost flush with the countertop, often behind the sink? I made an exciting discovery about my own kitchen and dining room over the Christmas break. It changed how I envision the layout and opened up new possibilities for light, view, and function.
Remodeling a kitchen often means juggling many choices — especially when you want to work within an existing footprint and a modest budget. You still want the result to feel thoughtfully designed and practical, so it’s worth taking the time to weigh options and reconsider assumptions.
Earlier I’ve written about dreaming of a Dutch door, leaning toward a modern farmhouse mixed with a 1950s cottage vibe, and the goal to keep changes within the home’s original footprint rather than adding on. One corner in particular had me imagining a built-in bench beneath a window as an alternative to a clutter-prone desk area. A bench would be both useful and charming for our family.
I had assumed it wasn’t possible to install a regular-height countertop under that window, mostly because I never measured. During the break I finally measured, looked up standard counter heights, and even asked my mom about her countertop height. To my surprise, there was ample space to install counters at standard or even taller heights without replacing the windows.
We had initially imagined placing the sink beneath a new window facing the backyard for the best view. While the kitchen corner window could accommodate a higher counter, a sink there might feel cramped. That led to a more exciting realization: the dining room window was also high enough to allow a countertop below it.
What if I moved the kitchen into the dining room, opened the wall between the two spaces a bit more, and positioned the sink under the large dining-room window? The idea felt instantly right. That window offers a wide, open view — standing at a sink there would bring light and a connection to the backyard that I love.
Previously we considered removing the wall, but the basement stairs and the stove location made the earlier layout impractical. By reorienting the kitchen so the sink faces the backyard and opening the wall more thoughtfully, the configuration suddenly makes sense. I’ll share more on the possible kitchen layout and dining solutions in a future update.
UPDATE: See how our kitchen turned out here!
Jan Gleysteen Architects
Can a kitchen counter really sit basically flush with a window? Yes. After searching Pinterest, Houzz, and other sources, I found plenty of examples and realized how much I love the look. The abundance of light and an unobstructed view to the backyard make it especially appealing.
Having a window directly behind the sink is not only beautiful but also practical when paired with deep counters that provide breathing room behind the faucet. Deep countertops help control splashes and make the area easier to keep clean compared with a narrow backsplash ledge that can trap grime and feel cramped.
My previous kitchen in BHG
Below are a few kitchens with windows that sit flush or nearly flush with the counter to inspire the possibilities. The styles vary, but the common thread is a generous, unobstructed window that floods the sink area with natural light.
Traditional Home
Westerbroek
Liz Firebaugh of Signature Kitchens
Thank you for your thoughts on design and trends recently — I enjoyed reading your comments. Your feedback always helps as these ideas evolve.
UPDATE: See how our kitchen turned out here!
Related posts:
10 Reasons I Removed My Upper Kitchen Cabinets (my previous kitchen)
7 Tips for Planning a Kitchen Remodel