This is the reason why the kitchen sink is always below the window

Most kitchens are planned in the same way, and we are so used to it that we hardly ever question why. Whenever you use the kitchen sink, you find yourself peering through the window. But people are just now starting to realise why.

The wisdom behind windows on top of sinks

A Reddit user who was redesigning a kitchen wondered why they are always laid out the same way. The sinks are placed next to windows and it seems impossible to plan it in any other way.

The post shared on r/CausalUK read:

Planning a kitchen renovation, and realised we can easily move the kitchen sink away from the window to give us more usable counter space. Then I realised, I’d never seen a kitchen sink that isn’t in front of a window.

Is staring out of the window while washing up just a British thing? Or am I crazy in even suggesting a sink with no window?

The post got 218 responses with one sharing the reasons sinks were often below windows, quoting from the kitchen experts at KDCUK.

It turns out to be the most cost-effective option

The simple reason why kitchen sinks have traditionally been placed under the window is that the window is, obviously, on an outside wall. In terms of plumbing, using as short a waste pipe as possible from the sink to the drains is not only the most effective but also the cheapest solution.

It is also where the most natural light comes through, so if you wash by hand, plates dry more quickly. This is a hangover before the dishwasher.

It turns out, people had no idea about this simple explanation behind the design solution.

One person responded:

Lol omg, I always thought it was so housewives could send the kids out to play and watch them while she washed up!

Another one wrote:

I much prefer the table to be under the window so we can appreciate the garden if it's too cold to eat outside.

Someone else commented:

Used to have a sink in front of the window. Now, after an extension, no, as we moved it to create a more open-plan kitchen/diner. Do I miss looking out of the window when using the sink? Er, no... Did take some use of additional lighting to help the ambience though.

At least now we know.

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Sources used:

Yorkshire Live: 'People are only just realising why kitchen sinks are below windows'

MET Plumbing: Why Is the Kitchen Sink Commonly Placed Under a Window?

Kitchen Insider: Should Your Kitchen Sink Be Under A Window