The Design Choice Joanna Gaines Uses To Accent A Fantastic View

There's nothing better than a house with a view. It doesn't matter if that view is of the ocean, your garden, or, in Joanna Gaines' case, Lake Waco. One thing's for sure — you'll want to make the most of your outdoor scenery. Luckily, the "Fixer Upper" designer has just the trick, having recently renovated a 1960s lake house with a picturesque view as the home's focal point. Gaines installed large-format windows throughout the property to highlight the water below — but that's not all. She also opted for an all-glass back door instead of a solid wood one.

Not only did the glass door let in plenty of natural light, but it also created a seamless transition between the kitchen and the backyard. As the cherry on top, all the doors and windows provided an uninterrupted view of the surrounding greenery, even if they were spaced out. Here's a closer look at how Gaines maximized the home's sweeping vistas without covering every wall in glass.

Obviously, glass is the go-to material here. However, if you really want to bring the outdoors in, follow in Gaines' footsteps and renovate your windows and exterior doors into seamless ones. Think sliding doors, single-panel glass doors, picture windows, all-glass bay windows, and skylights. These don't have visible grids, so you get a clear view of the outside — no annoying lines in sight. 

While frameless doors and windows naturally lean modern and sleek, Gaines proved they can complement other aesthetics, too. She opted for a warm, cherry wood finish around the doors and windows to maintain a mid-century feel. That said, you can also choose white frames (which go with any home style) or black to make a bold statement. 

We get it: swapping a solid door for a completely glass one can be a bit risky since there's zero privacy. Though this shouldn't be much of a concern if you already have walls of windows and sliding doors in your home, no one likes prying eyes. To create more privacy with your glass doors, either add sheer curtains or a tinted film that makes it harder to see inside your home. This way, you can still enjoy your view without feeling like you're on display.