Table by the window in the nursery: types, sizes, tips on how to choose, original ideas in 2022

Creating a workspace in the living room

• home
• Balcony
• Creating a workspace in the living room

This means it’s time to think about where in the apartment you can mark out the work area.
Most often, the living room is the choice for arranging a workplace.

But, it is advisable to think through everything carefully if you want your interior to continue to please you and the work area to be quite functional. Not everyone can combine several functions in one room. Every little thing and detail should be taken into account.

Having decided to combine the living room and the office, first you must think about where and how best to place the workplace.

There are several options that will help you properly arrange your workspace:

The best place for a work area is by the window.

Especially if the living room is narrow or very small, it will be difficult for you to find something more suitable for arranging a work area.

You have an advantage if you have a niche in your living room. It is easiest to arrange and delimit it from the rest of the space, and this can help in creating a workplace.

Owners of non-standard living rooms can create a practical and secluded work area, using, for example, narrow or other niches.

But you can create niches yourself, for example, using furniture.

Niches make a good place for storage, but they also have their drawbacks.

While working, your gaze may be buried in a blank wall, and the lack of light will lead to unplanned expenses associated with the purchase of additional lighting sources.

Often, corner space is not used, since arranging corners requires non-standard forms of furniture and rarely any interior items are placed there.

However, for placing a compact desk, a corner of the living room may be a better option.

The only negative may be poor lighting due to a lack of natural light, but this can be easily corrected with the help of a few lamps.

They can be mounted both in the ceiling and in the walls around the perimeter.

Table Position Tips

• When positioning, pay attention to the height and width; an incorrectly selected design can harm the child’s health.
• Place the table so that the child can see the window in front of him, so the light will fall without creating a shadow that can harm his vision.
• Make sure there is an outlet near the window, this will eliminate the need for additional wires.
• If the table is planned to be built into furniture or instead of a window sill, carefully consider all the details; later it will be more difficult to correct the shortcomings.
• You can also place the table in a corner if the layout of the children's room allows.

How to arrange and decorate a desk in a children's room: photo examples in the interior

As mentioned above, installing a desk by the window in a child’s room is a good idea, since in this way you can make more efficient use of the free space and improve the illumination of the work area for the student. The design can be made more functional if it is equipped with side cabinets, cabinets or an extension attached to the wall. Let's consider design options for desks by the window in a children's room for a boy, a girl and two children.

Desk or computer corner table for the children's room near the window

The corner design of the table is very comfortable and functional. In addition to the tabletop, such models are equipped with cabinets, shelves and add-ons. Despite the fact that corner tables installed under the window in a children's room are well lit, you will also need a table lamp on hinges. However, although this design is convenient, experts do not recommend using it for working at a computer and preparing homework for schoolchildren under 14 years of age. This is due to the fact that a desktop-mounted monitor and small office equipment limit the work space. There may also be a risk of constant distraction from homework.

How to set up a desk for multiple users?

When furnishing tables for many users, it is worth paying attention not only to their location in relation to the light and door, but also to interpersonal relationships. It is an unfortunate situation when people are forced to sit in the back. On the other hand, if they are sitting face to face, the distance should be at least 120 cm.

Placing a table directly next to a window has its advantages. You can take a break from your work to look outside. If there is a lot of greenery in the yard, then the landscape looks simply irresistible.

How to make a table from a windowsill

To make it comfortable to sit, you will have to buy a special tabletop - otherwise your feet will simply rest against the radiator.

There are several ways to attach it:

1. Connection to the main surface
2. Installation of a monolithic surface

In the first case, you need to ensure reliable grip. If we are talking about stone, you need to lubricate the edges with a filling agent with a fixative. In the second option, the installation is almost no different from installing a regular window sill, except that you need to additionally install supports.

Important: if there is a heating radiator under the window, there must be special holes in the table. Otherwise, it will be very hot to sit behind it, and condensation will appear on the windows.

Do you feel empowered to make a countertop with your own hands? Then watch the video tutorial.

Design tips

Before purchasing a table for a child’s room or ordering it from a craftsman, you need to take into account the child’s personal preferences and choose the right color scheme for both the table top and the facades. An incorrectly selected design can have a negative impact on the psyche and even create a dislike for learning. In addition, the table should harmonize well with the overall style of the room.

The configuration of the table depends on the age of the child and the required functionality. For example, for kids there should be shelves and convenient drawers for toys. Children aged 6 to 10 already have their own computer, so you need to prepare everything for this. Teenagers need a place to store their personal belongings.

As for the location, it is better to place the table under the window, and not across the windowsill. The presence of a blank wall will block positive energy and can even cause depression. If it still doesn’t work out any other way, it is recommended to hang a map of the world, the starry sky, posters, photographs, motivational images or a planning board on the wall.

Desk for two children

In our country, one room is often shared by two or even three children, each of whom needs their own workspace. In this case, each child should have his own corner where he can store textbooks, do homework, or just draw. If children have shared drawers, conflicts cannot be avoided, but two separate cabinets or shelves will solve this problem.

When organizing such places, the ideal solution would be to place the schoolchildren’s study area near the window. Modern furniture manufacturers offer a lot of solutions that allow you to install not only a table, but also cabinets for it. The area above the workspace is reserved for lamps and hanging shelves.

In this pencil-shaped room there are three workplaces at once: two near the window and one near the wall. Each of the children has their own corner.

Design ideas for girls

Girlish colors are very diverse: the whole pastel range, as well as pink, red, white, metallic and many others. When choosing colors, it is worth remembering that the nursery environment should set the mood for work and not distract from the educational process. Therefore, it is worth abandoning the dominance of too bright colors, giving preference to subdued shades. In this case, the interior can be easily changed with the help of new bright accessories.

Bright and very cozy

Design ideas for boys

Future men try to imitate their older relatives and choose “masculine” colors: blue, woody shades, white, silver, green, purple, black. But it would be a mistake to leave the nursery decor without truly bright colors. They can be used for individual elements of the work area by the window - chairs, curtains, floor decoration, walls, etc.

Workplace for a future athlete

It’s good when there is something in the interior that reminds you of the child’s main hobby.

Types of tables

Sliding

An extendable table with two workstations for children is an ideal solution for a small room. When children are not at home, the structure can be folded. When they need to study, the table unfolds and chairs are placed nearby. Typically, work stations are separated from each other by drawers or shelves.

This design is only suitable for children of the same age or children with a slight difference in age and height.

Decorating the work area by the window

A schoolchild's desk, no matter how large it may be, will eventually become a container for many things. Therefore, it is necessary to equip the work area with storage systems. These can be various boxes, tubes, shelves, small drawers specially selected to match the design of the entire room.

Additional shelves and cabinets will help organize space for storing toys and school supplies

Magnetic, marker or cork boards are not only a decorative element, but the most useful device. They also carefully select curtains, the color of the table and chair, and a soft rug under their feet.

When decorating a work area, you first need to properly organize the light. A table lamp and various LED lamps can also be elements of the overall room design.

Built into furniture

Such furniture is usually made to order. Perhaps the only drawback is the high price. Otherwise, this option will preserve the space of a child’s room in a small apartment or Khrushchev-era building. For example, a built-in table can fit in a closet, replacing one of the sections, or connect two cabinets in the corners of the room with a table top. Convert the remaining shelves into additional storage space for children's items.

Window sill with retractable table top

For a small child's room, installing a tabletop with a retractable surface is an excellent solution. Its lower part easily rolls under the window sill, and there is more space in the room.

And when a child needs to study, he doesn’t have to think about where to place his books and notebooks. It will be enough to simply pull out the shelf.

Table-window sill

An interesting design approach - the tabletop near the window in the children's room can be used instead of a windowsill, simultaneously performing the function of a working surface. Such solutions require individual production - the tabletop must be ordered based on the size and configuration of the battery, window dimensions, distance to other furniture.

This is important: instead of a solid screen, install special protective partitions with grooves over the battery.

Located from wall to wall, a window sill-tabletop will help organize several work stations, significantly saving space. The width of the table top is selected so that it is convenient for the student to write, and the free space directly under the lid can be used for drawers. The dimensions of the table should allow you to open the window for ventilation without any problems.

The tabletop protrudes beyond the base - the child can position his feet comfortably. Another practical option is to get rid of the base by pulling out the countertop.

With wardrobe

For a small room it is appropriate to mix and match furniture. A cabinet is a great item to incorporate a child’s desk into.

What does it look like? This is a large, full-fledged closet with various compartments: a large closed one for clothes, open shelves for books and toys. And as one of the compartments there will be a workspace: a built-in small table with empty space below (for comfortable sitting). It's very comfortable and looks original!

This cabinet-table can be made to order. This is an excellent option, since you can choose the height of the table to suit the height and individual characteristics of the child, as well as take into account the dimensions of the room and the specific place where the structure will stand. Such a cabinet can also be a corner one.

Table shape

The desk is often made to order.

In this case, there are several types of countertops to choose from:

1. Full width table by the window in the children's room. This technology is convenient as it offers a wide area for learning, games, and reading. Such countertops allow you to place everything you need on one plane. The solid model is often complemented by wall-mounted drawers and cabinets. This makes it even more convenient to take office supplies.
2. Corner tabletop. Often used in rooms where there is not enough space to install large tables. Children who are actively involved in hobbies will especially like it. It is convenient for drawing, embroidering, and wood carving. Everything you need for fun work is at hand.
3. Oval type. Suitable for large apartments where there is no need to save space. There is an oval depression in the middle of this table, which is also convenient for studying. A larger area allows you to fit more items within close reach.

Types of designs: which one to choose for the interior

The simplest solutions are a side table or a tabletop built into the window sill. In addition, in a small room you can make a table that can be easily removed for a while. For example, reclining or retractable.

Window sill with retractable table top

This design is good where a table is needed only sometimes, but is in the way the rest of the time. For example, children require maximum space for gymnastics. After completing their homework, they can slide the tabletop back and play sports.

Retractable window sill table

Window sill with folding table

A solution with a similar meaning is much simpler to implement technically. The folding table can be attached to the window sill on regular hinges, which will cost a very modest amount. You can choose any material for the tabletop: chipboard, wood, glass, metal, etc.

Folding desk

A table for a schoolchild by the window: how to choose a tabletop

When choosing a tabletop, you need to measure the student’s height, determine the height of the table and chair, and also determine the most convenient location.

There must be a recess for feet in the working area

To avoid poor posture and discomfort, you need to adhere to generally accepted standards for height: in high school, height reaches 160-175 cm. The table should have a height of 60-70 cm. In elementary and middle grades, with a height of 130-140 cm, the height of the table is 52-52 cm. 58 cm.

A desk near a wall-length window can have any width, but the height is determined individually for each student.

A tabletop made of dark wood is a practical option. A varnished white surface is not suitable for schoolchildren who draw. A tabletop made of light wood will fit well into any interior.

Metal table top

This tabletop is suitable for interiors in high-tech, loft, and minimalist styles. This is a non-standard design solution, which also has a right to exist. The metal will serve for a long time, it will not deform or crack. But this material cools quickly, so it is not always comfortable to work at the table - you need a rubber mat or a wooden stand.

The tabletop and racks should be made of lightweight metal so as not to create additional load on the wall. It can be coated with acrylic paint of a contrasting color, and then an original art object will appear in the nursery.

Tree

A table for a children's room along the window made of solid pine, birch, beech or oak is not only beautiful, but also extremely environmentally friendly. Such furniture is immediately installed for an adult, and chairs or armchairs that can be adjusted in height are purchased for the table.

Monumental and very cozy

Natural wood is a heavy and durable material. This is another argument in favor of buying a wooden table, because it is not afraid of any children's pranks.

Glass

The material is used only for countertops, and there are special requirements for it. It is recommended to buy such a table for a child over 10 years old who already understands that the glass should not be hit with heavy objects. The following types of glass are selected:

• triplex with high pressure treatment for maximum strength;
• kiln fired and powder coated;
• with polymer coating.

Other materials may also be used. The wood is very durable and has a noble appearance, but it is sensitive to various factors and is not cheap. Plastic is fragile, short-lived and can be toxic, so this table is not worth buying. As for budget veneer, it is extremely sensitive to improper care and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

PVC

The most budget-friendly foundation option. Despite this, structures made of hard and durable plastic can easily withstand heavy loads and create a single composition with the slopes of a plastic window.

The photo shows a children's room with a white window-sill table located in the bay window.

MDF

Any furniture made from MDF is quite in demand, because during production a balance of price and quality is maintained. It has a low wear threshold and high aesthetic qualities.

The design of MDF furniture can be very different: from a laconic model with smooth surfaces to a massive table reminiscent of a product made of natural wood.

There are also other advantages:

• environmental friendliness;
• hydrophobicity, the table will not be damaged by spilled water;
• large selection of colors;
• ease of care;
• service life is about 10 years.

Compact wall table made of MDF in a little boy's room

Less disadvantages:

• instability to fire and increased heat, damaged by heating devices;
• does not tolerate steam condensate well;
• the density level is average, subject to mechanical damage, it is impossible to reinstall the fittings.

Despite all the existing shortcomings, MDF countertops have high performance indicators, subject to all manufacturing technology standards.

Design Features

Choosing furniture for schoolchildren:

• preference should be given to a product of sufficient size so that children do not interfere with each other when sitting next to each other;
• for school supplies you need to provide separate drawers, bedside tables and shelves;
• It is best to choose models that can be adjusted to the child’s height;
• There should be enough space on the table surface for each child and two table lamps.

Standards have been developed that must be followed when choosing a table:

• the working area must be at least 1 meter wide and at least 0.6 meters deep;
• an area of ​​50 x 50 cm is required to place the hands.

Table height

As for the child’s growth, the following parameters should be taken into account when choosing a table:

Parents often prefer to buy children's furniture designed to last several years of use. In this situation, adjustable furniture is best. It is made in such a way that the design can be changed to the desired height when the child grows up. The cost of such models is much higher, but as a result you can save a lot of money.

If the table will be used by two children of different ages and heights, you can purchase special adjustable footrests. With their help, you can easily adjust the correct body position at the table. Alternatively, you may prefer special chairs with adjustable heights and built-in footrests.

Recommendations for choosing colors

Basic tips for choosing a tint palette:

• The window sill table is part of the overall interior composition, so its color scheme should be selected taking into account the shades of large objects in the room, such as a kitchen set, wardrobe, bed or other furniture.
• Also, quite often the shade of the table is matched to the color of the walls or various textiles, such as curtains or carpet.
• In a room with neutral tones, you can create an accent and choose a brighter and more contrasting countertop.
• The most win-win solution would be a tabletop in a monochromatic combination with a window frame.

The photo shows a window sill turning into a gray table in the interior of an attic in the country.

Options for combining with other furniture

In pursuit of the most compact planning solution, the window-sill table can be combined with other pieces of furniture. The simplest option is to place shelves with open or closed shelves on both sides, and drawers under the tabletop. In this case, the set by the window is combined into a single ensemble in both style and color.

In the photo - a loft-style furniture set for a high school student

A more complex ensemble includes two workplaces at once, which can be accompanied by personal cabinets and shelves.

Aligning the table with the window

Placing your desk facing a window is a convenient solution if you like to view the outdoors while working. However, even indirect sunlight can affect you, increasing fatigue while working. It's good to look into the distance from time to time.

Many experts advise that the table should be at right angles to the window. This, however, will not completely protect you from intense daylight, especially if the sun's rays enter the room directly through the glass. Then the only solution will be to cover the window, for example with blinds, which will reflect the sharp rays, but still let in some light. We recommend models of blinds and curtains that are adjustable both at the top and bottom, allowing them to cover only that part of the window through which the greatest amount of light passes at a given time.

An additional advantage of the window is the ability to ventilate the room. Bringing fresh air into the room helps you stay focused and recharged. You can also outfit your home office with an air purifier.

Pros and cons of working space by the window

A table along the window provides full natural light. When preparing lessons or pursuing a hobby, daylight is very important. It is soft, applies evenly to all areas and does not hurt the eyes as much as artificial ones.

This is especially useful for preschool children who need large doses of vitamin D, and they get it from the sun.

This location is relevant for apartments and houses that are located on the north side, where almost no light enters the room. It is even better to place a children's desk near a window. This way it will take up less space and leave room for games and hobbies.

In addition, there are other positive aspects:

1. Space saving. The decisive factor in small apartments is that the window sill table in the nursery does not take up much space, but also increases it. Since the window sill now acts as part of the tabletop, you can place a lamp and pen stands on it.
2. Table zoning. If two children live in a room, they can get by with one table. You can install a table by the window in the children's room across the entire width. A partition in the form of a cabinet with drawers for office supplies is installed in the middle, and now two children can study at the same time.

But there are also disadvantages:

1. Window control limitation. If there are lamps, pen stands and folders on the student’s desk, it will be difficult to open the flap.
2. Sun rays. If the room is on the sunny side, constant rays will interfere and you will need to install special blinds or curtains.
3. Less heat. The countertop will cover the heating radiator, which will significantly reduce the temperature.

Countertop materials

The issue of choosing material for a school table is very important, since this type of furniture is subjected to the most serious loads every day. Those who decide to order a window-sill table from a furniture studio or make it themselves will have to compare the pros and cons of each material.

Window sill-tabletop in the nursery made of chipboard and MDF

Chipboard or laminated chipboard are the most popular materials for countertops, with the most affordable price. MDF will cost more, but it also has higher consumer characteristics. Working with such materials is quite simple: you can order cutting according to a drawing in a studio, and do the assembly at home yourself, using standard fasteners, a drill and screwdrivers. You can also cut it yourself; a jigsaw is suitable for this. The advantage of this solution is the ability to create furniture of any size exactly according to the dimensions of the window opening, partition, wall niche, etc.

Set made of laminated chipboard

Window sill table in a teenager's room made of natural stone

In the children's room you can install a tabletop-window sill made of natural stone, as is done in kitchens and loggias. This solution requires a special approach, since the weight of the stone will be approximately 100 kg. You will need reinforced supports, as well as protection of the surface from staining by accidentally spilled tea, juice and other drinks.

An alternative to expensive natural stone is artificial. It costs several times less, is just as strong and durable, and the palette of possible colors is very wide. In addition, there is no risk of staining it with accidentally spilled grape juice, since the absorbency of the material is almost identical to tile.

Artificial stone countertop

Tabletop instead of a window sill in a children's room made of natural wood

The price of the material depends on the type of wood. The most expensive are oak, mahogany, wenge, and the price of pine or larch is several times less. Designers love to work with wood, as this material is the most environmentally friendly and gives the atmosphere an indescribable coziness. Wood has only one drawback: over time it can become deformed or crack.

The wooden tabletop looks very beautiful

Metal table top

Metal is in many ways the standard of beauty and durability. It does not fade in the sun, does not change its size, does not crack, and can withstand the most careless use. Typically, thin sheets of stainless steel with a polished or powder-coated finish are used for countertops. Combined with height-adjustable legs, the result is an ideal design for a growing child. The disadvantage is that the surface is always cold to the touch.

Monolithic countertop

Such products remain among the exclusive, as they are always made individually. The monolith is a concrete casting coated with a protective polymer that gives the surface the desired smoothness. Externally, the tabletop may be no different from MDF, but it feels much harder to the touch, is always cool and has a noticeably greater thickness.

Monolithic countertops are also called countertops that occupy all the free space between opposite walls, including the window sill. The advantage of this layout is a very spacious working surface.

Table top for children's table made of glass

Glass tables have a very valuable advantage in a small child's room - they do not block light. It feels like there is no table. The glass chosen is impact-resistant and tempered, capable of not breaking even from a strong blow. The color can be anything from transparent to solid tinted, and even with a mirror surface. Any contamination from glass is easy to remove, but the disadvantage is the same as that of metal and stone - the glass countertop is cold to the touch.

Glass brings a special atmosphere to the interior

Plastic

PVC or acrylic countertops have several important advantages:

• affordable price;
• unlimited palette of shades and patterns;
• extremely low dead weight;
• resistance to aggressive liquids and high humidity;
• warm to the touch.

There are also some disadvantages: plastic is quite easy to scratch, and it also does not tolerate contact with fire and hot surfaces. If accidentally ignited, plastic releases toxic fumes.