Having interior windows in a home’s design can make a space feel larger and allow for more natural light. If you’re working on a smaller plan, adding interior windows between rooms will help to increase sightlines and add a beautiful design element as well. Read on to discover why these unique additions can truly benefit a home design.
Where to Add Interior Windows
These windows are applicable in both smaller and larger homes, as they have something different to offer each. In larger homes, interior windows can help to create nooks or cozy spaces that might otherwise be quite expansive. And in smaller homes, interior windows are a modern option for enhancing sight lines and access to light. How your clients want to live in their homes really drives the application of interior windows rather than the overall footprint of the home.
Though the open floor plan is still popular, more homeowners are using windows in living rooms to create transparent rooms-within-rooms. This allows homeowners to carve out more defined spaces, while still letting in plenty of natural light. Constructing these spaces with large panes of glass not only maintains connectivity to the larger home and provides rejuvenating light but also lets a space become more multi-purpose.
Photo credit: Marvin Windows & Doors
We’re seeing homeowners invest in a variety of new interior spaces for family time, work and individual recharge that incorporate thoughtfully-placed windows, larger windows, unique door applications and design-forward takes on sunrooms or sun-filled spaces, all of which play a significant role in enabling homeowners to feel better at home. Homeowners are designing these spaces around increased natural light and a more direct connection to the outdoors. For example, interior windows can create connections between cooking, dining and living spaces where people may be simultaneously active and enjoy staying engaged across spaces.
How to Use Interior Windows Aesthetically
From a purely aesthetic standpoint, it’s always a good idea to make sure the style of window or door and its trim options match the overall look of a home. For example, a cottage-style home pairs well with traditional double hung windows in classic white, whereas a modern home may call for expansive picture windows and scenic doors framed in black.
When it comes to interior windows, some may consider them to be a relic from older homes or multi-family housing where space and light come at a premium. However, we’ve seen stunning applications of interior windows in newer construction and renovations that fit seamlessly with a more contemporary look, such as the white oak framed Marvin window in designer Emily Henderson’s mountain home dining nook. Ultimately, natural light is a design choice that fits any style, making interior windows an increasingly popular choice.
While the styles range, we typically see non-operable interior windows that are primarily focused on enhancing light and views. As today’s window trends continue to grow taller and wider, we expect interior windows will follow suit for the largest possible impact.
Photo credit: Marvin Windows & Doors
During the pandemic, many people discovered the challenges of an open floor plan when a home suddenly becomes multiuse. While many people are back to working in offices at least one or two days per week, we still need and want our homes to perform multiple functions – and those multipurpose spaces are here to stay. This makes interior windows great options for maintaining an open feel while still allowing for individual spaces to become segmented off from the rest of the home to better serve the activity of the moment. It’s all about making our homes work harder for our ever-changing needs to ultimately enable better living in our homes.
In Collaboration With:
Marvin｜Member of the Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA)
Webinar: Understanding Window, Door & Skylight Certification
Understand the benefits of window, door and skylight certification and how certified products can enhance your projects.
Webinar: Understanding Window, Door & Skylight Certification
The Understanding Window, Door & Skylight Certification webinar is designed to help architects and remodelers understand the benefits of window, door and skylight certification and how certified products can enhance their projects.
