Interior with panoramic windows: in the living room, bedroom, bathroom +75 photos

Talented science fiction writers are known to be ahead of their time in many ways and predict innovations that the world is destined to come to. In many futuristic works of contemporaries, the house of the future consists of glass and has transparent walls. In fact, such buildings already exist. The pioneer of a new milestone in architecture was Mies van der Rohe. He designed a glass house, the walls of which turned into windows. The history of the building’s creation is associated with numerous scandals, which became “black PR” for this successful combination of bold constructivist ideas and minimalist forms. The customer simply refused to accept the architect’s work and the showdown was brought to court and the press. An intermediate position between traditional openings and futuristic glass walls is occupied by panoramic windows in the interior. People sometimes call them “French”. Why did windows get this name and when did they first appear?

Panoramic windows and their varieties

Panoramic windows first appeared in one of the provinces of the country - Provence. The French hinterland, the name of which is familiar to any designer, also gave birth to the stylistic direction of the same name, which, by the way, is also in demand among our compatriots. The first mentions of such structures date back to the middle of the 7th century. Of course, glass was not yet widely used at that time, so they can be called “windows” only symbolically, based on their functional purpose. Provence is known not only for its beautiful landscapes with endless rows of lavender fields, but also for its warm, mild climate.

Both of these conditions became the reason for the creation of unusual “doors” (and in Europe they are still called that), which blur the boundary between the house and the surrounding beauty, letting in sunlight and fresh air of the Cote d'Azur. The design was a strong metal frame with two doors, which was located just above the floor level. Glass of this size had not yet been produced at that time. The doors that swung open or moved apart were filled with wood.

After the glass industry made a big leap in development, windows began to let in light even when not opened. The original interior idea began to be used not only in France, but was picked up by other countries. At the moment, there are several classifications of panoramic windows.

Depending on the opening method, structures are divided into three types:

Swing. Traditional design, which is also typical for classic doors. Hinged panoramic windows are convenient for rooms with narrow openings in which there is no room for sliding sashes.
"Harmonic". An original option in which several doors are folded like a book and, when opened, are placed in the “parking” area on the side of the outer wall. "Accordion" is not suitable for small rooms.
Parallel swing. Modern doors have the same design. The doors simply slide apart, thereby saving space.
Taking into account their design features, panoramic windows are divided into two types:
With shtulp. When open, they allow you to enjoy a full panorama, but the doors can only be rotary (that is, they open “towards you” and to the side).
With impost. This vertical jumper is part of the tilt and turn mechanism. Thanks to it, the windows can be opened fully or partially “towards you” in order to slightly ventilate the room. Unfortunately, the impost located in the middle violates the concept of complete openness that is typical for a panoramic design.

As for the frame material, windows are classified into the following types:
Wooden. They are made from larch and oak. To create budget options, pine is used. Since solid wood can deform over time, laminated veneer lumber is used instead. Such windows have a special aesthetics and at the same time “breathe” even when closed.
Plastic. A modern, practical material with which balconies in apartments are increasingly being glazed. PVC is captivating due to its relatively low cost.
Aluminum. The material is lightweight, which makes it possible to produce large and lightweight panoramic windows. Previously, aluminum was used only for cold glazing of summer verandas or attics. After the technology for introducing thermal insulation between the outer and inner parts of the profile was developed, the material began to be used everywhere in all rooms of the house.
Fiberglass composite. The material has become a novelty in recent years, but has already established itself as a reliable, lightweight option. Fiberglass windows will cost a pretty penny.

Based on the types of glass filling, structures are classified into:

Triplexes. There is a transparent film between the outer and inner glass. Multilayering allows the material not to crumble into small fragments upon impact, but to become covered with a network of cracks at the site of local mechanical impact.
Strained glass. It is five to six times stronger than normal. If damaged, the material crumbles into fragments with blunt edges, which reduces the risk of injury to a person nearby. The impact force should be greater than with a regular kick, since the glass also bends quite well.
Electrochromic option. Ultra-modern smart glass, the transparency of which is adjusted using the remote control. The material is very expensive and is used only in luxury apartments or luxury country houses.
Float glass. The material is produced using the same technology: liquid glass melt is poured onto molten metal (tin). Thermopolished glass has reflective properties and does not distort the image, which is typical for ordinary glass.

Large panoramic windows are usually decorated with a decorative layout or frame. It is a shaped grille inside a frame, which can be overhead, interglazed or structural. There are a lot of options for the location of the shutter, which makes it easier to choose an original window design.

Panoramic windows are classified according to their functional purpose into portals and accordions. In the first case, the door to the street or terrace occupies only part of the structure, and in the second case, the entire area. Windows can also be solid or sectional. The second option is more durable and reliable due to the presence of partitions.

Peculiarities

It is extremely difficult to imagine a room in which there is not a single window, but not only the presence of an opening, but also its location plays a special role. A window in a bedroom may have the following features:

A window opening is a natural lamp that can illuminate the interior space throughout the day; in addition, it will always remind you of itself in the morning.
The more windows, the better, because there will be more light inside the bedroom, and the space will seem more comfortable and spacious. At the same time, only thick curtains will help to hide from such lamps, capable of hiding the homeowner from both the sun's rays and night yard lights.

The window may have an unusual shape (round, oval or panoramic).
A window opening is often used as an accent piece in a bedroom.
Blinds and curtains are a mandatory attribute of the window in the bedroom, allowing you to maintain an intimate atmosphere.

Advantages

The concept of complete openness has been practiced for more than half a century. It was this that led to the blurring of boundaries and the emergence of popular studio apartments, arches and panoramic windows. Thanks to such design techniques, the rooms “breathe” and are filled with air. Observation structures represent a successful symbiosis of a door and window opening and have a number of undeniable advantages, including:

Presentable, modern appearance of the house from the outside and the rooms from the inside.
An excellent overview of the surrounding beauty and the opportunity to go out onto the terrace or directly into the courtyard, garden, or gazebo. Such windows are highly valued in private houses and dachas, where the eyes of household members will see not a dull city landscape, but bright natural panoramas.
Visual expansion of the space of cramped rooms due to an illusory transparent border.
Good natural lighting, which is so highly valued in Provence, minimalism, loft and Scandinavian style.

Flaws

Panoramic windows are not without a number of disadvantages. These include:

Difficulties during installation in apartments. To install a panoramic structure, you will need approval of the redevelopment from the housing inspection, which is not always successful. In some buildings, it is simply impossible to embed a long window into a load-bearing wall without compromising its strength.
Difficulty in caring for fixed glass. The problem is relevant again for apartments. If housing is located on the upper floors, then it is impossible to do without the involvement of industrial climbers.
Strong heating of the room. A large amount of natural light also has its disadvantages. Since the throughput of panoramic windows reaches a record 90%, the room will heat up as if it were “dressed” in black and placed in the very sun. High-quality air conditioning of the room will save the situation.
Difficulties when installing heating radiators, which are traditionally placed against the wall under the window.
High price.

Another disadvantage can be considered the psychological discomfort that some people experience with such openness to views from the street. A person subconsciously thinks that he is always in someone’s sight. Blinds will save the situation, since French windows are traditionally not covered with thick curtains.

Desk on the windowsill

You can organize a work desk on a fairly wide window sill. On the surface of the “tabletop” there are shelves for writing instruments, cups for pens, and sets of organizers. The idea of organizing a desktop should be implemented in advance, even at the stage of developing the drawing of the window opening.

Using a cornice as a working platform requires significant reinforcement of the frame. It is also necessary to think in advance and arrange the space under the table where you can put chairs or an armchair.

Examples of using observation windows in different rooms

Panoramic windows are universal; they fit organically into the interior of absolutely any room: children’s room, bedroom, living room, guest room. The main thing is that there are two conditions:

The ability to build such an opening into the structure of the house.
A beautiful view that will be enjoyed by the household.

As for stylistic compatibility, French windows are suitable even for strict classics, but combinations with Provence, Art Nouveau, minimalism, high-tech, Scandinavian and eco style are considered the most advantageous.

Living room

The living room is especially cozy with a fireplace and a separate corner by the viewing window with a low couch strewn with cushions. The niche under the miniature sofa can be filled with books, thus creating a small place for reading. If the opening does not reach the floor, then it can be called French only symbolically, although it retains all the advantages of the original (except for access to the street). A French window is usually located behind the back of the sofa, which is the center of the design composition. This arrangement requires admiring the opening landscape while standing, but the problem can be solved by choosing an unusual design sofa with a double back. Thus, the owners will have twice as many “seated” places for guests at their disposal. You can separate a corner by the panoramic window with the help of a podium, on which a picturesque composition of a pair of armchairs and a coffee table is installed.

Bedroom

The bedroom should be cozy with a peaceful interior that promotes good rest and sound sleep. Viewing windows will help you fall asleep with a beautiful view of the street before your eyes. Traditionally, a panoramic wall is located on the side of the bed, as the headboard faces a blank wall with a TV. In the morning you can wake up bathed in the sun's rays, which guarantees a good mood and tone for the whole day. If the room is located in a corner, you can decorate it with a long modular window that will cover two walls at once. Such a project must be carefully developed by a professional, since the load on the structure will be colossal. If we are talking about an attic bedroom, then panoramic windows will be advantageously combined with openings on the roof that offer views of the clear sky. In such an attic space you will be able to immerse yourself in nature. Household members will experience a particularly pleasant feeling during rain.

Kitchen and dining room

Households spend the lion's share of their free time in the kitchen. One way or another, this is where tea parties, short breaks while preparing dinner and intimate conversations take place. The presence of a panoramic window in this room will give the kitchen decoration a special coziness and flavor. When eating, it is important for a person to have an optimistic psychological attitude. To ensure a good appetite, in the design of the dining room they try to avoid the use of dark, cold tones and flashy, tacky details. The natural landscape is perceived by a person as a composition with an ideal combination of colors, which helps to lift the mood while eating.

In combined rooms, the dining area is often arranged near the bay window. The open look, and even with the multifaceted geometry of the frame, will become a stylish addition to the interior.

Cabinet

In the man’s office, strict panoramic windows with transparent glass and solid pleated blinds are installed. Wooden frames will set off the expensive leather upholstery of the chairs. In the girl’s studio, the French windows are decorated with panel curtains or flirty curtains made of airy organza. In order not to lose the opportunity to contemplate the landscape, the workplace should not be “hidden” inside the room. The conditional center is moved closer to the main decoration of the interior so that you can work in natural light, which is more than enough.

Bathroom

Many may consider it inappropriate to place observation windows in the bathroom, where what is happening must be hidden from the views of strangers from the street. The problem is easily solved with the help of curtains, blinds or stained glass. It is better to place a bathtub or jacuzzi in front of the structure. In order to drown in flakes of foam without a shadow of embarrassment, the windows should overlook the backyard of your own property. In luxury apartments, this improvised door leads to a pool or sauna, where you can continue your water treatments.

Kitchen

But this is the case when panoramic windows are not used very often. It would seem, why: anyway, most of the walls are covered with cabinets. Such reasoning is not at all rational - large windows can make cooking much more enjoyable.

There is immediately much more fresh air in the kitchen, and space is never too much here. If you are ready to surprise, French windows in the kitchen will be a great solution for you. What a pleasure it is to start the day in such a kitchen!

To make everything look harmonious, try to leave free space near the window. It is better to choose laconic forms of furniture. But there cannot be too much greenery and fresh flowers in such an interior.

Design and color scheme

Traditionally, window frames are white. This shade is given to the plastic from which standard double-glazed windows are made, and it is also welcomed in the “native” style for the design - Provence. Black color will emphasize the rigor and laconicism of the interior. Frames can be made to order for the buyer in any shade that harmonizes with the decor of the room. Brown wood tones are invariably associated with classic and eco style. Glass can also be given special shades of aquamarine, ripe cherry, sage or mustard. It is worth considering that the interior of the room during the day will acquire a similar tone in the light of the sun’s rays, while the windows are closed. If the structure is of impressive size, then it is better to fit the colored pieces using the mosaic method into the blind corner spaces between the panels of the frame.

Balcony

When balconies again ceased to be a place for collecting rubbish, their design changed radically. More and more often they began to make these spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows. Indeed, only on such a balcony can you feel the atmosphere of relaxation. When you don’t have to huddle on bar stools or, worse, just stare at a blank wall.

Just note that most balcony windows are not a single panel, but a composite structure of two frames that are located on top of each other. Often the dividing strip runs in the center - just at eye level if you are sitting on a chair. You should try to avoid such “small” but ultimately important shortcomings.

The traditional frame color is white. Yes, it is as neutral as possible. Yes, it doesn't eat up space. But in plastic it can look official. An original alternative could be deep chocolate color or even black. But it’s better to move beige and light brown further away for now.

In order for the floor-to-ceiling windows on the balcony to be perceived as a complete element, it is desirable that all glass doors lead into the apartment. Then the balcony will look truly soaring. True, it will add double the hassle of cleaning.

Decorating huge windows

French windows themselves are a decoration of the room and the facade of the house, so their beauty should only be slightly emphasized, but not draw attention to the luxurious decor. Most often, the glass in them is tinted or frames with complex geometry are used. It is recommended to close French windows with blinds, thin, light curtains (organza is optimal) or panel, roller models, which, when rolled up, will not interfere with admiring the landscape outside. As an option, they use sliding screens, which can be removed completely if necessary.

Final Tips

Do not rush to make a decision on installing panoramic windows. Their real advantage is the original appearance of the building. All other performance indicators are inferior to traditional methods of glazing buildings. One more thing. The cost of panoramic windows even without installation is high. If you do not have enough experience in construction work, do not install it yourself, seek help from specialists. Their services will ultimately cost less than the possible damage from inept actions.

Stained glass windows
Stained glass windows have delighted the eyes of our ancestors since ancient times. Their relevance does not decrease today, despite the wide variety of materials and decorations. If previously the production of stained glass was the domain of a few craftsmen, then in the modern world almost anyone can master certain methods of creating them. More details here.

Options for arranging furniture in rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows

When arranging a furniture set, such colorful decoration of the room as a panoramic window must be taken into account. Most often, the area in front of it is completely cleared so that there is no interference with free access to the street. At a distance of half a meter, you can place a small seating area for two, which will allow you to enjoy the scenery while drinking tea or reading a book. Massive furniture (mainly sofas) is usually turned with its back to the window and placed at a distance, since relaxing on it involves watching TV. Storage systems, shelving and cabinets are installed around the perimeter of the room, but not close to the wall where the panoramic window is located, since the effect of expanding the space may be lost due to such visual load.

French windows often decorate expensive apartments in skyscrapers, where it would be a shame to lose such a luxurious view, dusted with clouds. In ordinary city apartments, a popular option is one with access to a loggia or balcony, where there is a relaxation area or a home greenhouse. Many designers believe that panoramic windows are the future, since the concept of openness not only remains popular, but is also constantly evolving, erasing the remaining boundaries. The unique design is good because it allows you to be at home all the time and at the same time feel in harmony with nature, which constantly appears before your eyes in all its glory.

Living room

In this room, panoramic windows are perhaps used most often. And it’s not surprising, because she should make the strongest impression in the whole house. In this case, the decoration serves only as a background - white or beige walls, light floor. And in the details and upholstery of the furniture are the colors that can be seen outside the window too: green, blue, yellow in muted tones.

In the living room, by the way, panoramic windows will fit perfectly into the classic style. Only in this case, models made from a single piece of glass will not be suitable. It is better to pay attention to windows with a fairly common layout. This will add sophistication to the interior and become a reference to classic fashion.

If we talk about the size of the windows themselves, then, naturally, the larger the better. One solid window will always look more impressive than several smaller ones. In this case, the layout step does not have to be even. Asymmetry is in fashion now.