Almost every room designer loves the luxury of planning around one or more kitchen windows. Given the heavy presence of cabinetry lining the walls, a window offers welcome relief for the eye, as well as the obvious benefit of letting natural light into the space. Natural light brings a dose of real life to a room that no artificial lighting can replicate, and kitchen designers always look for ways to accentuate a window in one way or another. The classic way to use a window in a kitchen is to situate the sink beneath it since almost everyone enjoys looking outside while washing dishes or preparing food. But there are many other ways to bring a kitchen window to life, and most involve moving the interest up to eye level. In the hands of a good designer, the visual moment offered by a window is often as much about beauty as it is about function. In this example, inspired industrial shelving installed over the windows amplifies the visual punch. Kitchen sinks and range hoods are common features to frame with windows, but just about any important feature can be highlighted, such as a butcher-block baking center, a wine rack, or an eating nook. A complete remodel may offer you unique options for using windows—don’t be confined by what is traditional in a kitchen.
