The Fascinating Way The Position And Shape Of A Window Totally Transforms A Room

As one of the most important interior and exterior features of your home, you may take your windows for granted without meaning to. While you appreciate the view here or there, it probably doesn't occur to many people how window placements and shapes affect each room. Unless you're building a new home or renovating a section that includes windows, there isn't much to think about, right? 

Surprisingly, where your window lays within your walls, the style, and the shape make a huge difference or can completely transform the overall layout of a space. If a window is too high or too low, it can create a cramped, overbearing ambiance while some large or floor-to-ceiling windows can give an over-exposed vibe to certain rooms. 

Placement, size, and shape make a big difference throughout your home, and understanding how helps you make the most of each of your designs. After all, windows completely alter a home's ambiance and atmosphere: Natural light is key to good mental and emotional health, and allowing it to flow through your space can also promote better sleeping habits, increase the energy efficiency in your house, and even help with real estate value. Not only is natural light important, but windows provide ventilation that is necessary to keeping your dwelling comfortable. If you have oddly placed windows, designs that are too small or improperly aligned, or shapes that don't match a room, it can throw off the entire floor plan.

Keeping windows aligned throughout your home can help keep everything consistent visually. Not only does alignment help with balance inside and outside the house, but it also improves the overall aesthetic. Curved or arched windows can complement Colonial or Victorian style homes, but they also work with more modern designs because of the softness they add to harder lines and edges. These are a good way to balance sleeker, more severe structures and can make them feel more welcoming. Keep exterior window trends in mind to give your home a sleek and modern upgrade without replacing everything since this makes a big difference, but inside is where it really counts for you because windows are what bring in light and allow you to enjoy your surroundings. 

Placing windows too high up on walls within a room produces a basement feel, and if they are too low it can make a space seem imbalanced and even cramped. Narrow windows can work in some rooms, but they can also limit the amount of light they let in and make it feel smaller, especially if there is only one. Rare as it might be, some rooms may have a window on one end of a wall that goes from floor to ceiling; depending where you place a bed or furniture, this can be very cozy and warm or too bright and uncomfortable (especially if the head of the bed is next to the big window). Too large of a window in a smaller house can make it seem disproportionate, dwarfing the rest of the dwelling. If you have a room with tall ceilings, this is a great opportunity to expand on that with taller windows.

If your space is small, try adding a window that's a little closer to the floor (but not too low), aiming for "sill height." For rooms with higher ceilings, longer, rectangular, or square designs that reside in the middle of your walls (or floor-to-ceiling windows) are good as long as they don't leave the room too exposed. Bedrooms are ideal for eastern turned windows because the sun rises and brings in light to help you wake up. Living rooms do well with sliders or floor-to-ceiling options that give a good view, and dining rooms could work well with corner windows or even a bay window setup. Your kitchen gets busy, so windows that provide ventilation are helpful, and natural light is a bonus, too.

If you are thinking about renovating your windows (or building a new home), a good rule of thumb is to consider each room's potential and natural light. It may not always be realistic to change your windows (make sure to avoid DIY window installations if you are renovating, and stick to a professional to help), but it helps to comprehend why some spaces seem different: The natural light let in by your windows affects the space more than many realize, so consider this and decorate around them when adding lamps, curtains, and blinds.