Tips
How to pick out living room windows
The living room might be the place where you go at the end of the day to curl up with a book or your phone. It might also be the place where you host Sunday football games or book club. In other words, it's a dynamic room where a lot of living takes place. So how do you pick windows for a space that’s sometimes a retreat and at other times a gathering spot? Let’s get into it!
What are the best windows for a living room?
While we hate to play favorites, it’s true that some window styles are more popular choices for a living room. Two to keep in mind are picture windows and bay windows. These two window types are common picks for the living room because their large size helps make the room more pleasant — think about how it feels to be in a room that’s full of light and privy to great views. In addition, the living room is often located at the front of the house, which means the windows may play a prominent role in your home’s exterior look. The right living room windows can help to create a look that boosts your home’s curb appeal and emphasizes its architectural style. So, while that’s the quick answer to the best windows for a living room, it might not be the right answer for your home. We have some recommendations for picking out windows that will enhance the living room while also balancing against other needs unique to this space.
The benefits of choosing a picture window for a living room
A living room picture window is usually oversized to let in lots of light and showcase views. Because it's fixed (meaning it doesn’t open), it’s the most energy efficient window type — another advantage. To allow for fresh air in the room, picture windows are usually paired with windows that do open, such as double-hung windows or casement windows. A classic example of a living room window combination is a “Chicago window,” which features a picture window in the center and a double-hung window on either side.
The benefits of choosing a bay window for a living room
Another popular choice in a living room is a bay window. The beauty and drama of this type of window makes it perfect for a street-facing room, as many living rooms are. There’s also a lot of functionality built into a bay. Its three-windows-in-one design includes a large picture window in the center with smaller windows attached on each side. The side windows are operable and can be either double-hungs or casements. The combination protrudes from the house to maximize natural light and fresh air. On the interior, this creates a nook perfect for house plants and sun-loving cats. Bay windows are associated with particular architectural styles, including Victorian and Tudor. Find bay windows through our 400 Series and E-Series product lines.
Did you know you can create a bay window effect without installing one? There are ways to do this by framing the wall so that it protrudes. Talk to your architect or builder about creating a feature like this if you’re building a new home.
The benefits of choosing a window wall for a living room
If you spend any time scrolling through home design inspiration, you’ll see we’re not the only ones who believe bigger is better when it comes to windows. And if you really want to embrace this ethos, there’s no better option than a window wall. It creates a strikingly modern look, and in today’s open-concept homes, it can allow sunlight to travel further into the home. It’s also a great option where you have an extra special view that you want to enjoy to the fullest. If you’re interested in this option, talk to your builder or architect about joined windows, which are windows that can fit together will less framing in between for more glass overall.
How to balance windows and privacy in your living room
Maybe you prefer to use your living room as more of a retreat. One of the best ways to preserve privacy in a living room, or any room, is with higher window placement. This doesn’t mean your windows have to be out of reach, but even slightly higher placement can make a difference when your home is viewed from the street. An architect will be able to help with this type of detail. Another philosophy is to err on the side of more windows and then use window coverings, fencing, landscaping, or a combination of these approaches to add the privacy you need.
How do you arrange a living room with big windows?
As we mentioned at the start, the living room can have a lot of uses, but primarily it’s a place where you want to be comfortable. That means you might be planning your space around creature comforts like a comfy couch, a TV, or a fireplace. Here are ideas for planning windows to work with these features:
- Furniture: To avoid blocking the light from your windows with your furniture, think about placing it in the center of the room. Another approach could be placing the windows higher on the wall to preserve privacy while also carving out enough space underneath to fit your couch, which is likely to be your largest piece of furniture. Finally, you could go ahead and put the couch in front of the window. You might block a little light but gain a little privacy for a win-win. To help avoid fading your furniture, we have a low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings that can block out 95% of harmful UV rays, check out SmartSun™ glass. Low-E coatings are a standard option with our windows.
- TV: When planning a room with lots of windows and a TV, you’ll want to think carefully about the direction the windows face. If you’re working during the day, most of your television viewing time will be in the evening when the sun is in the western sky. If your living room has western-facing windows, avoid mounting the TV where it will be subject to a glare from the setting sun. And if you can’t avoid that, remember that good window coverings can solve the problem too.
- Fireplace: Speaking of TVs, there’s a great debate about whether they should be mounted above the fireplace — though doing so can save space for windows. Wherever you land, that’s only one aspect of selecting windows for a room where this feature is present or planned. The two don’t have to be in competition for wall space. We like using windows as a complement to highlight a fireplace focal point. It’s an approach that can work in a traditional home or a modern home, as the examples above and below illustrate.
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What to know about living room replacement windows
What’s different about picking out replacement windows versus windows for a new construction home? You might be concerned about things like preserving elements of your home’s character, such as original trimwork. Or, you might be wondering how new windows could match the ones you already have. The good news is our portfolio is robust. Here are a couple of questions to explore:
- Are insert replacement windows a good option? Insert replacement windows fit into an existing window frame and can be used when conditions are right — for example, the frame is in good condition. The advantage of insert windows is that they can be installed with minimal disruption to existing trim and siding. When insert windows aren’t an option, the type of windows used in new construction homes can also be installed in a replacement scenario. We offer windows in many sizes, including those that will fit in an older home — your pro or Andersen dealer will be able to guide you in selecting replacement windows.
- Are you looking for windows that are far from standard? As we’ve discussed, the living room is often a showier room with special windows that make an exterior statement. If that’s the case in your living room, look to our E-Series product line. We can make extraordinary windows, and the E-Series product line will offer you the most design freedom with unlimited colors and finishes and dramatic shapes and sizes.
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