Light up the heart of your home with these unique design tricks
If windows are the eyes of the home and the kitchen is the heart of the home, then the kitchen window has its work cut out for itself. Whether the pane is small and boxy or it takes up an entire wall, there are countless ways to configure the source of natural light in your kitchen. Take a look at the following kitchen window ideas and get inspired for your own space.
In New York City or any other major municipality, a kitchen with a window is not a given, so having not one but two is a major bonus. But sometimes, aligning the appliances with the windows can present a design challenge.
Instead, use it as an opportunity to pull double duty. In this example, a gorgeous custom stove range provides the necessary utility while also creating a striking window design. Rather than having obtrusive cabinets on the two narrow offset walls between the windows, this kitchen offers floating shelves and mounted a flat-screen TV.
What’s the solution for when a layout offers (seemingly) miles of kitchen countertops and cabinets but no window cutout? Install full-length glass doors to serve as both the window and the exit/entrance. With light-colored finishes to reflect the sunshine streaming in, there’s no lack of light in this kitchen.
A window above the sink is a traditional kitchen layout, but it does take up valuable wall space that can be better used for cabinet storage and appliances. The problem is solved in this kitchen. Instead of a single boxy pane over the sink, long, narrow windows above the cabinets take advantage of high ceilings to let in tons of natural light.
Not all window frames are destined to be made of white vinyl or wood. Here, bold black frames transform two windows into design elements of their own. From this angle, one can better appreciate how the dark window frames accentuate the ribbon of black in the veined marble of the glossy countertop.
Open-concept floor plans are adored for their flexibility, but there is the dilemma of how best to use the space. With floor-to-ceiling windows and custom shades, you can solve this problem by injecting more versatility into the room. In this example, anyone can enjoy a book by the fire with the shades pulled at night, or they can let the light brighten the space while brewing a morning cup of coffee.
Party hosts are often stuck in the kitchen while their guests mix and mingle. This is especially problematic for outdoor gatherings, but these bi-fold windows are a game-changer. The host can still prepare all the goodies indoors, but they’re always part of the action outdoors.
This can also save you money if you’ve considered installing an outdoor kitchen but aren’t quite ready for that kind of investment. The bi-fold windows make it easy to connect the indoor kitchen to the outdoor dining space.
When you’ve got a wall of exposed brick in your kitchen, it almost doesn’t matter what your window looks like—the space is bound to make a statement on its own. You don’t have to hire a bricklayer to create the kitchen of your dreams thanks to easy-to-install brick slips.
These tiles can be added to a variety of surfaces both indoors and out—including fireplace facades—but it makes a splash as a kitchen backsplash here. The long and narrow window with shutters pops in bright white against the red brick, matching the smooth countertops and kitchen sink.
Sometimes simple is best when it comes to window treatments for a kitchen. This anything-but-ordinary all-white kitchen skipped a valance or shade for the sink window. Instead, it features a border that matches the sink drawer without the hardware.
The aqua-and-white pendant light is a bright accent against the window grid. The glass faces of the cabinetry almost make it seem like the window is bigger, though the cabinet doors give you a glimpse of colorful dishware rather than the outdoors.
Neutral colors aren’t always meant to pop, but they do just that in this spectacular kitchen design. It starts with white cabinetry in the kitchen, but bold black and golden beige add dimension throughout the open-concept floor plan.
The lustrous black window and door frames go beautifully with the stools, the stone surface of the island, and the tops of the brass pendant lights—not to mention the pillows and throw blanket. The checked beige roll-up shades coordinate with the sectional sofa and ottoman in the corner seating area.
Your windows don’t have to be perfect rectangles. You can add windows with arches, small garden windows that jut out from the house, or even circular windows to bring in light and add some creative flair to your culinary space. In this example, a tall, arched window over the sink offers beautiful views of the greenery outside and contrasts the sharper lines of the cabinets, appliances, and backsplash.
Glass block windows are having a moment, and for good reason. These clever little windows bring in light, but they have patterns to obstruct the view inside, giving you more privacy. The pros of glass block windows include added privacy, security, and energy efficiency. Installing glass block windows in place of backsplash is smart, as they can brighten your food prep space and should be pretty easy to clean with a cloth and some warm, lightly soapy water.
If you decide glass block windows are right for your kitchen, hire a local window contractor for installation. These windows can be tricky to install, especially if you need to work around wiring and plumbing. It’s best to leave the installation to the pros.
If you’re lucky enough to have beautiful views from your culinary space, don’t let them go to waste! Installing large picture windows over the sink makes doing dishes less of a chore, plus it will allow more natural light into the kitchen. In this design, added sconces over the windows make the views look like art worthy of the finest museum.
You can go bold with a dark window frame or set a calming scene with neutral tones. Better yet, combine the best of both worlds with contrasting tones of a light wood frame surrounded by a darker molding. In this stunning kitchen, there are plenty of elements that could draw the eye: the lights over the peninsula, the marble countertops, or the sleek cabinetry. But the biggest attraction is the window with the wood inner frame and black molding.
There’s no denying it: Kitchens can get smelly. The stench of last night’s salmon, oil leftover from frying potatoes, or old coffee left out in the pot can really stink up the space. Sliding windows can help air out the space when food odors take over. These sliding windows open horizontally, making them easy to pop open and shut as needed.
In addition to deciding what types of kitchen windows you want, you may want to consider window treatments like blinds and shades, too. Window treatments can allow you to shield views at night when you want more privacy or block out harsh afternoon sunlight.
If you decide to add window treatments, you can opt for classic whites, grays, or browns or get creative with a pattern that complements the other design elements in your kitchen. For instance, install a gray and blue plaid shade that matches the blue cabinetry, like in this kitchen design.
Barbara Bellesi Zito contributed to this piece.
