Picture this: perfect window pairings for your home
Old windows aren’t everyone’s favorite look. Cracked glass or warped frames can allow pesky drafts into your cozy spaces or worse: water leaks. When it’s time to update your windows, you could go for something simple that will just get the job done (the job being keeping your home tightly sealed from the elements while letting in light). Or, you could add some extra comfort and curb appeal with one of these inspiring window design ideas.
A little drama could be just the kind of refresh your home needs. Set within a brick wall in a non-traditional hue, this arched window instantly captures the eye. An arched design in lightly colored brick contrasts the darker blue wall, while shutters add a rustic touch and some extra privacy.
A picture window is one of the most classic and popular window types. Whether you want to frame views of the neighborhood or establish a window overlooking your prized garden, a picture window is a good choice for highlighting a gorgeous landscape. This massive picture window, stretching from the top to the bottom of the home, perfectly contrasts with its white frame on a blue house and offers a glimpse of the bushes below, the tree in the front yard, and the neighborhood beyond.
Need a breath of fresh air? Single-hung windows with a colonial grille (the grid that makes lots of small squares on the panes) offer a classic look, a perfect match for this brick home. Plus, with the single-hung design, you can open the window to let in some air on a breezy day. Pair a couple of colonial-grille single-hung windows together, as shown above, to bring in elegance, more light, and cozy views.
Shutters themselves already add an eye-catching element to windows, but choosing a bright color gives you a fun way to update your home’s aesthetic. These bright green shutters especially stand out against the beige brick, but you could go with any color of the rainbow to suit your own style.
You don’t have to change out your windows if you just want to install some new shutters, either. Adding shutters costs about $1,350 to $4,715 for materials and labor.
If you’re replacing all of your windows at once, consider adding elements that will tie the windows together. For example, while the windows on this multi-story home aren’t all exactly the same, the window grids tie together the operable windows with the large picture window above the front door.
When you want the visual benefits of a picture window with the ventilation benefits of a single- or double-hung window, then a sliding window could be the perfect solution. Throw in a little repetition (more than one of the same type of window side-by-side), and you have a modern and highly functional set of windows. These windows open horizontally, so there are no sashes to obstruct your view. They’re also easy to open and look great with all types of siding, including brick, vinyl, or wood.
If matchy-matchy just isn’t your style, you’ll love the look of these complementary windows. Here, you’ll find round windows, square windows, and rectangular windows in small, medium, and large sizes. Yet it all looks cohesive, thanks to matching window frame materials and window grilles, aka grids. This is a good option, too, if you want smaller privacy windows for bathrooms, rounded windows for offices or playrooms, and large windows in the common areas.
For optimal ventilation in your sunroom, consider double-hung windows. This type of window has two sashes, an upper and a lower, that both open. This allows you to promote better air flow by opening both sashes. Or, if you have young children and curious pets, you can lock the bottom sash and only open the upper sash to keep your loved ones safe in the home.
Who doesn’t love a big, beautiful bay window? Bay windows have a flat picture window in the center that is flanked on both sides by angled windows. When you add the stylish colonial grille to it, this window is proof that you know great window design ideas when you see them. These are a great option for kitchen windows, as you can install a dining nook around the bay window to enjoy garden views over breakfast with the family.
You’ve seen rustic, classic, and even bold shutters on the outsides of homes. But what if you could add a unique design element and some privacy from the inside? Interior shutters are an interesting type of window treatment that could replace blinds or shades if those aren’t quite your style. Just fling open the shutters to let in some sunlight or snap them shut when you want to dim the room or add privacy.
For modern design lovers, it’s go big or go home. Case in point: This jaw-dropping home with massive windows with bold, black frames all over the home. Some windows have thicker frames, while others have thin frames for a bigger visual impact.
Stained-glass windows are a treat to find in older homes. Whether you want to repair stained glass windows in your home or hope to add some charm by installing new stained glass windows, this window design idea is sure to grab the attention of all your houseguests.
Dormer windows are found in the little structures on a roof, and you shouldn’t overlook the impact these can have on your home’s curb appeal. You can match your dormer windows to the windows on the rest of the house or add a diamond-shaped or rounded window for an aesthetic twist.
Awning windows push outward to open, so they create a slant. That means when there’s a light drizzle outside, you can sit by the open awning window with a good book and a hot cup of tea, taking in the sounds and smells of fresh rain without getting soaked. The rain will shed right off (as long as you’re not dealing with an intense downpour).
Last but certainly not least, if you want to make a major impact on your interiors, consider a skylight or two (or three or four). Skylights bring in plenty of light from above, which can be helpful if your home is sandwiched between close neighboring buildings.
