8 Ways to Use a Kitchen Windowsill

We envy people with a kitchen window above their sink. It makes doing dishes a lot more enjoyable, and it also provides a natural surface for storage if you want to clear some counter space…

Use your kitchen windowsill to grow an herb garden.
Clear counter space by using a deep kitchen windowsill for a dish drainer.
Deep windowsills also work well for storing plates in a rack.
Store your dishwashing and cleaning supplies on the sill.
Keep empty vases or mason jars on hand. They’ll look beautiful in the light.
Use your windowsill as a shelf for cookbooks.
Above the sill, add glass shelves to create storage space without blocking light.
Put a clothesline across the window and use it to dry dish towels. You can keep extra folded towels on top of the sill.

Other ideas? Let us know in the comments below.

Photo: B, Joe & Rachael's Eclectic Split-Level

Comments (6)

I keep my dishwashing liquids in decorative bottles so the colors can shine through and yet still be functional.

posted by lifeinthefortress on October 26th 2009 at 5:22pm
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I wish my kitchen window had a nice view... but it's about a foot too high up for me to see out of it. We do keep our dish soap, etc. stored on it, though.

posted by deliriumsama on October 26th 2009 at 5:24pm
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I have a window in my kitchen with a lovely view of the trees at the southern tip of Ft. Tryon Park. It's not over the sink, but it's at the end of the (very small) room, and it has one purpose: my cat's perch, from which he surveys both the outdoors and activities in the kitchen that might lead to his being fed.

posted by Jane on October 26th 2009 at 6:20pm
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I haven't got a kitchen window at all. Or a bathroom window. It's killing me! Maybe time to take some pics and ask AT for advice...

posted by LittleEdie on October 26th 2009 at 11:50pm
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I have a window sill that is placed lower than my counter top, making it a bit difficult to reach over the sink and fetch things. So I mainly use it for growing herbs and plants - well, wish I did - my fingers are not that "green".

posted by PurplePlum on October 27th 2009 at 8:59am
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I like the idea of putting cookbooks in my window sill, although I think the colors will fade eventually...

posted by SweetChicEventsChicago on October 30th 2009 at 4:01pm
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