Top 15 Unique Window Designs for Your Home

  • Author: Fazal Umer
  • Posted On: March 5, 2024
  • Updated On: April 17, 2024

Did you know that Americans spent $567 billion to spruce up their homes last year? Renovation spending is on the rise – and you’ll need to keep pace so your home is fresh and marketable. But it can be hard to know where to invest your hard-earned dollars.

You can’t go wrong with fresh windows. You’ll add value and visual appeal. Especially with all the current climate uncertainty, investing in fresh windows in colder, rainier locations, like Scotland, is a failsafe way to add value to your home whilst looking stunning. Double glazing in East Kilbride, for example, will help combat the crazy weather changes that are sure to happen

Read on to learn about 15 unique window designs for your home!

1. Large Picture Windows

Looking to make a statement with your new home windows? Turn to picture windows. These stationary windows offer an uninterrupted view, making them a great choice in a room where you want to spotlight the outdoors.

Use picture windows to frame an idyllic backyard oasis or show off an amazing snapshot of the countryside or your garden. You can turn your outside view into a large work of art on your home’s wall. 

Picture windows can be the star of the show in your living room. They’re also an excellent option for a first-floor master suite where you want to see the sunrise each morning. 

2. Arched Windows

When you’re investigating different types of windows, give strong consideration to arches. The classic arch shape is a softer choice when you’re on the hunt for new windows. It harkens back to older architectural styles, but it can look modern, depending on the context.

Use an arched window in the front dining room to anchor the wall. Or place an arched window above the tub in your master bathroom. The pleasing shape of an arch will help frame your space, almost functioning as a work of art on the wall. 

For another touch, consider adding shutters. On the outside of your home, shutters can help create contrast and add warmth. Wooden shutters against a painted white brick, for instance, would help draw attention to a stunning arched window. 

3. Casement Windows

Casement windows are a clean and practical choice during your next home renovation. They’re also a great choice if you have a room overlooking a pretty backyard or scenic space. People love casement windows for their uninterrupted views.

These windows typically feature a hinge on one side that allows them to open like a door. You’ll be able to welcome in the outdoors with these windows and create excellent airflow. 

Pair casement windows with a picture window. With a casement window on either side, you’ll get a broad, open view. But you’ll gain the ability to crank open the casement windows to let in some fresh air.

4. Single-Hung Windows with Grilles

Single-hung windows may not be flashy, but they can suit just about any architectural style. They’re a functional and attractive solution that can be dressed up with fun window treatments indoors, or shutters outdoors. 

If you’re looking for new home windows or pondering a renovation, don’t discount single-hung windows. And if you want to kick them up a notch, add a grille to create more structure. 

A grille is made up of thin strips of vinyl or wood that divide the glass into panes. Many modern homes feature windows without these decorative features. But in older or more traditional homes, a window with a grille can fit in well. 

As another option, use black trim around your windows. This can elevate single-hung windows into a more modern choice. Against white walls, these windows will look bright and airy. 

5. Double-Hung Windows

You can’t go wrong with a fresh double-hung window in a room. Old, leaky, and warped windows can bring down a room quickly. But double-hung windows offer a clean and timeless refresh. 

You can find small double-hung windows that only span a few feet. Or you can find larger ones to hold the space on a bigger wall. These windows can come with clean, pared-down molding for a contemporary look.

With two sashes that can go up or down, double-hung windows offer optimal airflow while maintaining a stylish look. Fresh air can come in through a lower opening while warmer air leaves through the top opening. 

Reach out to a reputable window installation company to ensure your new windows are a good fit. Learn more about our windows today!

6. Bay Windows

When it comes to classic window styles, bay windows check the right box. These windows consist of a larger picture window flanked by two smaller pieces of glass. The smaller pieces angle out toward the larger piece, creating a unique sense of dimension. 

Bay windows can help a room feel larger since they bow out to extend your space. To go a step further, that extra space creates an interior platform that can be used as anything from a reading nook to a surface to display plants. 

Bay windows can anchor the living room or master bedroom. Place a sofa beneath one with some wing chairs facing the window for a comfortable conversation space. Or put one in your dining area to take advantage of nice views while you enjoy your morning cup of coffee. 

You can dress up bay windows with a colonial grill to create a little more intricacy. Alternatively, keep the windows clear for a more contemporary look. 

7. Skylights

To maximize light in your home, consider introducing skylights. These windows sit in the ceiling, ensuring you’ll catch all the sunlight you want during the day. Plus, you’ll get a view of the stars at night. 

You’ll create a brighter environment, and you might even be able to help with your utility bills. With more light flooding in, you won’t be relying on lamps and overhead lights as much to do the work.

Add a skylight to the bedroom so you can watch the clouds overhead as you wake up. Put one in the main living area to create a more welcoming gathering space.

8. Frameless Windows

For an ultra-modern look, abandon window frames during your next home renovation. While most windows have wooden frames to define the edges of the window or add ornamentation, they don’t need to have them. Without window frames, you’ll move directly from the walls to the glass. 

Frameless windows make the most sense in modern homes, but they can be a welcome addition to a home renovation, too. You’ll establish an uncluttered look that puts the focus on the views outside the window. Just be sure to work with a reputable window company that can install windows well so they match seamlessly with the surrounding walls. 

9. Clerestory Windows

Clerestory windows offer a good way to extend the height of a room or call attention to a room’s height. These windows tend to be smaller, sometimes elongated windows that sit above another set of windows. Commonly found in churches, clerestory windows have become a popular option in new home construction, as well. 

Use clerestory windows to bring more light into a room without giving up your sense of privacy. Place them above kitchen cabinets in a space with high ceilings. Or draw attention to a grand roof line in your family room with these striking decorative windows. 

Clerestory windows can be a great fit above a fireplace. Enjoy watching the sky’s colors change as clouds drift by. Or watch the stars come out at night while you enjoy a cozy fire. 

10. Stained Glass Windows

Whether you own an old or new home, stained glass windows can add a wow factor to your property. Most often, you’ll find these types of windows in older homes from the early 20th century. They might be used as a decorative element above a door or as a decorative element in a wall between rooms.

But stained glass windows can be introduced to newer spaces and look cohesive, as well. When you want to add charm and color, stained glass windows are a good option. 

Consider a simple design scheme, perhaps with a geometric shape offering a dose of color next to clear glass panels. The lead frames around each piece of glass will give structure and definition to the design.

Insert stained glass windows above your front door to add polish to your foyer. Ultimately, any wall that receives lots of natural sunlight will be an ideal spot for a stained glass window. 

11. Dormer Windows

When charm is your goal in a home renovation, dormer windows need to be on a short list of window choices. Think of dormer windows as projections within your roof’s slope that contain windows. The windows themselves are usually covered in roofing materials.

Dormer window styles can add visual appeal to the outside of your home. They help break up a long expanse of roof shingles and add height to your home. They can be functional or purely decorative if you put them above a detached garage, for instance.

Beyond visual appeal, they can make your home’s interior feel lighter and more spacious. If you have an upstairs loft, for instance, dormer windows can extend a space that otherwise might feel cramped by an angled roof line.

12. Sliding Windows

With sliding windows, you’ll be getting a clean, classic look that’s also a strong source of ventilation. Sliding windows won’t swing in or out, meaning they’re ideal if you don’t want a window that takes up space on either side of your wall.  

From an appearance standpoint, sliding windows fit into modern homes especially well. They won’t have sashes disrupting your view, either, since they open by sliding one panel right or left. 

For an even more impressive solution, place three sliding windows side by side. You’ll create visual consistency across your wall. You’ll also break up the wall to let in more natural light. 

13. Transom Windows

Sometimes pairing windows and doors can have a transformative effect. And with transom windows, that’s what you’ll get. These smaller windows sit above your door or even another window. 

In general, transom windows won’t come with the ability to be opened. They’re more decorative in nature, and they can let in additional light. Introduce transom windows to create more details at a larger entrance or enhance architectural interest.

These windows can be just a few inches tall or a few feet. Choose from square, rectangular, or arched shapes. And consider playing with design motifs, like radiating window pains or curvy ones, to add a decorative flourish to your door.

14. Walls of Windows

Why limit your window to one particular part of a wall? You don’t have to. Instead, you can create a wall of windows that helps bring the outdoors indoors. 

Stretch your windows from floor to ceiling to bring your natural environment inside. You’ll love having a panoramic view of your backyard. And you’ll never feel like you’re cooped up inside when your entire wall is made of glass.

With some rustic beams on the ceiling, you can bring warmth to a space otherwise dominated by windows. At the other end of the spectrum, keep things cool with white walls for the ultimate contemporary look. A wall of windows will look good in traditional or modern homes.

15. Unique Window Shapes

Windows don’t have to be rectangles or squares. And if you’re planning a home renovation, you might want something with a more unique flair. From ovals to pentagons, anything goes when you’re working with custom windows. 

For example, you could add an octagonal window to your child’s bedroom. This could be a fun shape that ties in with a boating theme. Pair a few octagonal windows with some blues and greens in your decor choices to create an ocean-inspired environment. 

Other popular options include ovals, triangles, and half circles. You can take a transom window and segment it into shapes that form an arch. Another option would be to line up two triangle windows next to each other to form a larger triangle. 

Unique window choices add charm and originality to a home. They can be a decorative feature, as with a transom window. Or the shape can become like artwork on a given wall.  

Choose the Best Window Designs

The right window designs can elevate your space. Look for stained glass, clerestory, or transom windows to add decorative impact to any room. Or go with bay, picture, or casement windows for a clean design sensibility that will help unite your indoor and outdoor spaces.

Get the latest tips to power your next home renovation. Check back soon for new articles!

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Author: Fazal Umer

Fazal is a dedicated industry expert in the field of civil engineering. As an Editor at ConstructionHow, he leverages his experience as a civil engineer to enrich the readers looking to learn a thing or two in detail in the respective field. Over the years he has provided written verdicts to publications and exhibited a deep-seated value in providing informative pieces on infrastructure, construction, and design.

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