Decorating Your Windows: Keep it Chic and Simple

When it comes to property there are a few things that people tend to notice right away.  The first obviously is location, but once they are inside, it’s all about the light, and the view. Some realtors will even time the viewing of a property for when the light looks best in the house. Realtors know that windows and what’s outside the windows can make a significant difference in how a buyer feels about the house.  If a house has great light, people tend to like it, if you can pair that with a great view, you can expect the price and the interest to go up. There are all sorts of windows out there, from small portholes to floor to ceiling varieties.  No matter what kind of windows a residence has, they play a huge role in the design and feel of your interior. Also depending on where you live for some rooms to be considered bedrooms they must contain a window.

Natural light is good for you

You might not be a plant, but like plants, the sun helps you grow.  Natural light has been shown to have a whole host of benefits from improving mood and regulating sleep cycles, to more practical applications like being able to see without electric lighting.  Also some windows open, allowing you to let in some fresh air, and who doesn’t love that.

Bringing what’s outside your home in

When building a home or planning a reno, the placement of the windows, and to an even larger sense the rooms of the house will be thoughtfully considered in relation to the views available.  If you are lucky enough to have a view of the ocean or are high enough to see a panoramic cityscape chances are good that your windows and living space will be built around highlighting these features.  

Like handbags and shoes, windows should match the room

While not always the case, if you have the opportunity to choose your own windows, take your time and consider the room as well as the windows.  Think of a rustic cabin in the woods vs a converted warehouse apartment, both of these places feel different and look different, and most likely would be designed with different types of windows.  What’s most important is to try and choose a style that compliments the room as opposed to a style that clashes with it.

Things are looking up

Skylights are a great option to lighten up a room and retain some privacy.  Bathrooms and showers can be dark because depending on the layout usually only one or two walls will have an option for a window.  The size and shape of the windows then have to be considered to bring in the light while not exposing you to the world while you take a shower.  The skylight solves all of these problems, allowing you to bring in lots of light where you want it without having to worry about scaring the neighbours.

When crystal clear is too clear

An often forgotten option when choosing windows is that they do not have to be clear.  In most cases, you want a window that is translucent, but not necessarily transparent. Opaque windows are often associated with renovations where a neighbour’s privacy must be preserved so council insists that your new second story bedroom doesn’t look directly into their bedroom.  However opaque windows can let in some nice light while also hiding some less than desirable features. For instance, a window that may look out into a stark brick wall, sometimes not seeing is better than seeing.

Clerestory, an unusual window

Clerestory windows are becoming a popular choice in modern constructions.  Generally placed high up near the ceiling of the room or the roof, they add an airy openness to rooms while also preserving wall space that could then be used by artworks or flat screen TVs.  Another benefit to these windows is creating the illusion of the ceiling floating on top of the room. Also can be used to maintain privacy while letting in the light.

Be practical about your choices

Great big floor to ceiling windows sound and look great, but depending on what the room is used for may not be very practical.  The den and TV room are popular places for what are usually the biggest windows of the home. However, when watching TV reflections and light can make viewing difficult.  You may have chosen beautiful windows that look great, but depending on the layout and use of the room it may mean that watching TV or working on a computer is difficult without the use of shutters and blinds.  Or if the room is a bedroom you want to choose windows that both let in the light, but can be blocked when you want the room to be dark.

Mix it up

Windows come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.  While the quintessential window is usually square or rectangular, they don’t have to be.  Let your style help choose the windows, what do you like, let your creativity run wild. Alternatively, take cues from the property, perhaps your room has a unique shape and a triangular window would fit in just perfect, or maybe a circular one would work better.  Windows can provide a lot of visual interest while still highlighting the available views.

Consider your options

Once you have your windows picked you may want to consider some of the additional options.  Double glazing uses two pieces of glass to create your window and can help regulate the temperature of your home and reduce your heating and cooling bills.  Other options are for glass that can cut down on both the amount of light that gets through the windows (tinted) and the kind of light (UV) that comes through the windows.  UV light can damage fabrics and flooring over time as well as artwork on the wall, a UV blocking window can curtail some of that damage.

Windows as art

We often think of our walls as the place for artwork. But consider a ‘window wall’ as another visual center piece. A picture of a painting is the same all year round, while an expansive view of the garden, will change with the seasons. You can watch the birds flutter about while having your morning cup of coffee, or watch the kids playing out back while preparing dinner.  Reimagine your space with a big window to outside, it adds lots of light and often makes the room feel bigger.