How to design a window between the bathroom and kitchen

Every resident of the Khrushchev building is familiar with a strange element of its interior: a window in the wall between the kitchen and the bathroom. In its original form, it does not fit into modern interiors at all. A blind window with thick, cloudy glass, like in public buildings, and an ugly frame made of dried out wood. Is it necessary and how can I change its depressing appearance?

Purpose and relevance of the window

If a window was made, did that mean it was necessary? The fact of the matter is that no one has given an unambiguously affirmative answer to this question.

Why did they make the window?

Today you can find several versions explaining the appearance of the connecting element between two rooms:

• helps with fire evacuation or gas boiler explosion;
• serves for bathroom ventilation;
• works as an emergency exit;
• is an interior detail that visually increases the space.

It must be admitted that none of these versions are a real explanation. We can guess what this window really served for - saving energy. It was possible to wash without turning on the light in the bathroom, since there was enough lighting from the kitchen.

And yet windows remain a given. Is it really necessary?

Do modern residents of Khrushchev-era apartments need an opening?

To be honest, it is difficult to find someone who answers yes to this question. Of course today it's a window can be used for ventilation. Any inhabitant of a Khrushchev apartment knows how quickly condensation accumulates in a small bathroom, the walls and pipes turn black, and clothes dry poorly. Especially if the old hood is not very functional.

Important! For ventilation, the window will have to be remade so that it opens.

What to do with a useless window

If humidity in the bathroom is not a concern, you can change the appearance of the opening so that it does not spoil the interiors of the bathroom and kitchen.

Construction technologies can solve the problem in several ways:

• turn it into a functional one (with an opening window), while changing the appearance to a more modern one;
• remove the entire structure and turn the opening into a niche.

You can simply seal the window: with bricks, cement, plasterboard. And decorate this section of the wall to match the overall design of the walls or cover it with a painting, panel, or hanging shelf.

You can decorate a window in three ways, varying in cost. Let's talk about this in more detail.

Installing a new window

You can remove the original glass and frame and insert a modern opening window.

Plastic

Advice! In conditions of high humidity and kitchen fumes, a plastic frame would be most appropriate, because it can be easily washed.

White looks classic and is almost always appropriate. But in general, the choice of color to suit the overall interior design is up to you. In this case, only very bright colors, for example, red, are not very good. In a small space they will enhance the feeling of cramped space.

Wooden

If you want a more memorable and respectable look, find a wood-look frame.

Reference! The glass in a new window can be either transparent or more non-standard: stained glass or mosaic.

Original

If finances allow for major alterations, you can even change the shape of the window opening by processing the old one. For example, make it round, square, rhombic.

The frame with the window can be made to order or the old one can be repainted. And choose the glass to your liking: colored, stained glass, tinted, glass mosaic.

It's not difficult to insert it. You need to remove the old glazing beads, pull out the old glass and remove the putty. Then seal the perimeter with fresh silicone, insert new glass and nail new glazing beads.

Budget

The most budget option - cover with self-adhesive film. Self-adhesive today can be found in any color and pattern.

Before pasting, you need to thoroughly wash and degrease the glass with an alcohol solution. Then lubricate it with soapy water, remove the protective coating from the film and glue it on. It is convenient to remove liquid and air bubbles with a plastic wallpaper spatula. Using a stationery cutter or a sharp knife, cut off the protruding excess film around the perimeter. Ready.

IMPORTANT! It is recommended to stick the film on the side of the bathroom. In the kitchen, it will constantly be covered with a brownish greasy coating from the operation of the gas stove and cooking fumes. Plaque is easier to wash off from a glass surface.

Turning a window into a useful niche

If you plan to use every centimeter of living space functionally, you can convert the window opening into an elegant niche.

Operating procedure:

• take out the glass;
• insert a piece of drywall cut to size into the resulting hole;
• treat the resulting niche with plaster;
• finish and decorate based on its purpose.

Useful tips

• Usually a niche is stylized to match the overall design solution of the bathroom.
• You can make it higher and deeper, equip it with small shelves for storing small things necessary in this room, and install doors. Then it will not visually “fragment” the space.
• Be sure to think about the color scheme of the new design element. It should not be dissonant with the shades in which the entire bathroom is decorated. Although it can be either matching or contrasting. In this case, the niche will stand out from the general background. And this is not bad if there are other elements of the same color or shade in the room.