(inspiration: kitchen and bath ideas)
If you have a small house or a small closed in room, a great way to make the space feel larger is to open it up visually with an interior window. You can find old windows at garage sales, second hand stores and old house parts stores. If you are handy or have access to someone who is, this would be a great project that could completely transform the feeling of your space.
Adding a window to a solid wall in a hallway, closet or small bath can make a space feel less claustrophobic.
{inspiration: remodeling center}
Dividing walls can define a space, but by adding a window you don’t block all the light plus you add a charming detail to the space.
{inspiration: This Old House}
Even if you don’t actually put in glass, cutting out openings or avoiding a solid wall gives a more open feel.
{inspiration: Better Homes & Gardens}
In a windowless room, you can add a window to take advantage of the view and light coming from a room that does have a window!
{inspiration: Better Homes & Gardens}
Change out solid cabinet doors for glass and you’ll be amazed at how much roomier your space will feel!
{inspiration: Remodeling Center}
Vellum sheets, curtains, shutters or stained glass can be added to interior windows if privacy is desired!
{inspiration: This Old House}
Changing out a solid interior door for a glass door is another way to make a big impact by visually expanding your space.
{inspiration: Pottery Barn}
If you want a quick or less permanent fix, a mirror can always stand in for a window.
And if you place it across from a real window, the impact is doubled!
{inspiration: My Home Ideas}
You can even create “windows” outside to expand those dark corners!
Put mirrors on the outside of your house, hang them on fences and above potting tables!
Make the most of the space you have with a few interior windows to increase the visual size of your room, magnify and reflect the light and even give your room a brand new view!
Wonderful ideas!!
Marians inspiring blog post..ELVIS :(
Totally agree. As much glass as possible to get as much light, once my children are grown. Loving the second photo, that is inspired.
The Blushing Hostesss inspiring blog post..Shoot up the flares, I’m lost again
Lovely photos and great ideas. We have interior windows in both cottages. I can’t wait to get there next week to enjoy.
Emily@remodelingthislifes inspiring blog post..Sunny Saturday Link Love
Hmmm….I have never thought of this. What a great alternative to the classic pass through. I’ve been itching to open up the space between our kitchen and living room…maybe this is a possibility.
Thanks for the idea to ponder.
Becky K.s inspiring blog post..Great Light!
Wonderful photos and ideas. Thanks.
Suzanns inspiring blog post..A Dash of This, A Pinch of That…
Love the pictures you used for this post! For my next house I have at least one cabinet with glass doors in the kitchen on my wish list. Before we redid our master bath, we had put in glass block to allow light from the window to come through the tub/shower to the sink on the other side. Worked beautifully and better than a solid wall full of tile.
My aunt built a house recently and her architect added interior transom windows to bring light into a dark hallway and bath. It really works! I love it.
Julia @ Hooked on Housess inspiring blog post..This Georgian Colonial in Greenwich Has Kick
Love the ideas for opening up small spaces with windows, glass cabinet fronts or mirrors. Living in a cottage, I am always looking for more ways to create the feeling and illusion of more space. Thanks for sharing, Melissa!
Best,
Debbykay at Rose Cottage Gardens and Farm
Debbykays inspiring blog post..Gorgeous Greens {lightly dressed
What fabulous inspiration, Melissa! I love the ideas about the indoor windows! Don’t know where I would use it but, I like the idea to ponder!
Thanks!
Mrs.Rabes inspiring blog post..1 Thessalonians 4:13
Great ideas! I would love to have a window in my master bath, but I think I’ll settle for an extra mirror for now. Lovely photos!
AnNicole@OurSuburbanCottages inspiring blog post..Patio in Progress..AKA The Blue Period
I love all the pictures, but especially that last one. Inspiring post!
Love, love, love the idea of an interior window. Actually, I would love to incorporate one over my kitchen sink. Our kitchen and family room have an “opening” between them. Adding an old window would be really cool! Thanks for the beautiful pictures. I would hurt someone for that Pottery Barn mirror, and I adore the short, squatty pillars!
~Misti
Misti of Studio M Designs inspiring blog post..Window Ideas: A Great Look for Less
I could just spend HOURS looking at the photos you find. Thanks for putting them all in one place. :)
songbirdtiffs inspiring blog post..
Great post, Melissa. Newer California homes come with big “windows” in the walls. They’re definitely not framed out pretty like the ones you posted, though. I did have a huge mirror made to reflect the view outside, though. It made a huge difference. I think it’s way back somewhere on my blog.
Karen Bs inspiring blog post..Hardware project
Beautiful photos! I really like a ton of natural light in the house. Thanks for the inspiration Melissa!
~Kim
Kim @ Everything Etsys inspiring blog post..Domestic Fashionista is in the House! {Guest Post}
Love all the inspiration pics, especially the toilet area. Now it is less claustrophobic feeling!
I love these ideas! That last picture is amazing-it’s got my wheels turning…wondering if I could something similar.
Thanks for sharing great inspiration as usual!
Ginas inspiring blog post..Living Simply-Yet Focused
What a good idea–I better start collecting old windows for future use. And be on the lookout for a mirror–I would never have thought to hang one outside so people with their backs to the view can still enjoy it–as well as the light.
aubreys inspiring blog post..You know what’s cool?
Hi Melissa. I agree with you — windows make a huge difference. And when there is none, mirrors and lighting can do the trick! ~Arleen
Arleen @ Seasons for All at Homes inspiring blog post..Wall Decor ~ Large Round Mirrors
Great post. Such beautiful pictures and terrific ideas!
beth daggetts inspiring blog post..Our little spelling champ
I could (and want too) live in each of these pictures. Thank you for sharing and inspiring.
Fantastic ideas….I want to know how to make a Large room smaller..when it has two big windows, one at either end of the room..!!
annes inspiring blog post..Feeling Flowery…..
Beautiful inspiration! Thanks! Now I’m wondering where I can add an interior window! haha. We did install French doors in the place of single solid doors…huge difference!
Roeshels inspiring blog post..Painting Kitchen Cabinets – New Look!
Yes! Great ideas, every one. I put a window in an interior laundry room (that had no windows) to capture the light from a window right across a stairwell for this very purpose….get some of that light in here!
katiedids inspiring blog post..Shopping: Lighten Up!
I have the smallest toilet ever, this has given me so many ideas. Thanks.
Beach Vintages inspiring blog post..Mid Week Bubbles Glamour
Fabulous images full of inspiration. Lots of fun things you can do with those interior windows.
pearl maples inspiring blog post..Sky Watch Friday
I love the “built-on” look of interior windows. The mirrors outdoors thing is intriguing. Thanks for the lovely pictures.
Rebekahs inspiring blog post..Got It At Goodwill!
Great pictures, especially love the bathroom. One of the best things we did after we moved into our house last year was to swap out the solid door at the top of the basement stairs for a French door–makes our space so much brighter and less closed in! The best part was that the door was re-used from another room where we no longer needed it because we had the doorway enlarged : )
Jens inspiring blog post..Patriotic Etsy Update
Beautiful inspiration. Thanks. laurie
all wonderful! Love your blog! Come see me sometime at Tales of a Golf Gal and the latest Bridal Buzz from WED event design
SJNs inspiring blog post..it’s your party!
Such great ideas, as usual! Thanks for sharing ideas and wonderful photos.
What a great idea! I’ve never thought of that. I’ve got an upstairs bathroom with no window and I hate it! I love windows.
This is my favorite! I have a few areas where I want to cut out the drywall and add window and am crazy for the mirrors outside! Great photo!!!
LuLu
LuLus inspiring blog post..Sunshine….
Thanks for all those inspiring photos, I’m moving in a few weeks so I’m really happy about such great ideas.
Oh, I love these ideas for using windows indoors! I recently hung an old window from my patio ceiling and I love how it turned out! Love, love, love all those gorgeous photos! Makes me inspired! :)
Aimees inspiring blog post..Repurposed Window
love the mirror outside…but i can guarantee i would always be thinking someone was sneaking up on me.
meg duerksens inspiring blog post..california 1…the airport
I love the mirror from the Pottery Barn image! Wonderful ideas!
Annie Mays inspiring blog post..TUMBLEWEED AND DANDELION
Those are all so gorgeous! Wow! I am so wishing we owned our own home right now so that we could start creating windows! Thanks for the beautiful inspirations!
.-= Mary Joy´s last blog ..My nesting journey ~ such a freeing place to be! =-.
Wonderful ideas! love your blog!