A window in the bathroom is a bonus, with the help of which an ordinary bathroom can be turned into a luxurious SPA area, of course, if the resource is used correctly. What to consider when arranging such a bathroom or toilet, whether it is worth making the window opening an accent and what to include in its design in order to let in more daylight into the room and, if necessary, hide from prying eyes - we will tell you in this post.
Design: Robert Eliott Custom Homes
Design: Robert Eliott Custom Homes
Bathroom layout with a window: 9 popular options
A wall with an opening located on it, with the exception of very tiny ones, rarely carries any functional load: cabinets, mirrors or heated towel rails are not hung on it, and most often a bathtub or shower is located next to it. There is also a psychological moment in this: it’s so nice to lie in the foam or wash in the shower, looking at the city, garden or sky!
But since the size and location of windows in the bathroom can be very different, you also need to plan the design of a bathroom with a window in different ways. Let's look at the most common options.
Layout recommendations
We will separately touch on the topic of the arrangement of furniture and plumbing in a bathroom with a window. The most popular schemes:
- The bath is opposite the window. There are 2 options: a transom above the bowl itself (as was the case in Khrushchev buildings) or a free-standing bathtub in the immediate vicinity of the opening. The second method is recommended if you have a beautiful view - then you can organize a home SPA and enjoy water treatments in the evenings.
- Window in the shower. Most often this is a small opening under the ceiling to remove excess moisture, but an option with a standard frame is possible. Then the decorating techniques that we will discuss below will come in handy.
- Sink by the window. The main disadvantage of such a washbasin is the lack of a mirror. It is best to move the sink to the side or make 2 sinks around the edges.
- Window opening above the toilet. One of the universal solutions. The windowsill is used as decoration - place scented candles and other decorations on it.
- Free layout. Leave a free approach to the frame - this will make it convenient for you to open it and wash the glass.
The photo shows the arrangement of a bathroom in the attic
A small window without reference to the interior filling
If the window opening is located high under the ceiling, is very small and generally does not affect the composition of the space, it is better not to focus attention on it. You can play with the design using roller blinds to match the wall or not touch it at all, shifting the focus to some piece of furniture: the graceful curves of the bathtub, a large chandelier, beautiful furniture.
Design: Olga Baykova, Roman Tutushkin
Design: Olga Baykova, Roman Tutushkin
Design: Yulianna Nikulina
Design: Yulianna Nikulina
If the window is narrow and high enough, centered on the wall and, despite its compactness, takes up enough space in the room, it makes sense to emphasize its presence with:
- paints of a shade contrasting with the wall;
- narrow Roman blinds with an expressive pattern on the fabric.
Design: Design Workshop of Yulia Pokrovskaya and Inna Volvak
Design: Design Workshop of Yulia Pokrovskaya and Inna Volvak
Design: Atelier Interior
Design: Atelier Interior
Design: Ivan Sorokin, Irina Marinevich
Design: Ivan Sorokin, Irina Marinevich
Regular curtains
They are made of fabric of different densities, and are mounted on a cornice, which is installed above the window opening. In a draft, such curtains will rise, which will not create an intimate atmosphere when you need to take a shower or bath. This curtain does not completely block the view from the street.
To solve the problem of a loosely curtained window, install a cornice that is much longer than the opening; it should be located at a standard height.
The length of the canvas is longer than usual (below the window sill), which will allow you to close the cracks. One of the advantages is the possibility of making bathroom curtains with your own hands.
Two or three large windows on one wall and a freestanding bathtub
With such planning data, designers usually center the bathtub relative to the windows, choosing a spectacular model of a non-standard shape or from an expensive expressive material - marble, travertine, composite compositions. The windows themselves are decorated the same in order to emphasize the design of the space and the beauty of the plumbing fixtures.
Design: Sergey Ogurtsov
Design: Sergey Ogurtsov
Design: Alexander James Interiors
Design: Alexander James Interiors
Design: Nina Prudnikova
Design: Nina Prudnikova
Dormer window
It makes sense to decorate it when direct rays of the sun fall through it. An opening at an angle is best shaded with a roller cassette curtain, when the canvas slides along the side guides when unwinding and twisting, or blinds.
Design: Maria Pilipenko, Ekaterina Fedorova
Design: Maria Pilipenko, Ekaterina Fedorova
Design: Studio 30 Architects
Design: Studio 30 Architects
Design: Design Tiles
Design: Design Tiles
Window in the shower
Splash marks on glass are the main problem with this solution. If the view from the window is not important, it is optimal to install frosted glass and treat it with an anti-dirt coating: natural light will not go anywhere, and the process of cleaning the shower will become less troublesome.
Design: Barley Pfeiffer Architecture
Design: Barley Pfeiffer Architecture
Design: Charissa Snijders Architect
Design: Charissa Snijders Architect
Design: Elena Lazutina
Design: Elena Lazutina
Window between bathroom and bedroom
With this aesthetic solution, the opening can also be designed from the bedroom side. Inside the bathroom, the same means as for decorating a window in a bathroom with an adjacent bathtub will do: roller blinds or Roman blinds, blinds.
Design: Lauri BrothersDesign: Lauri Brothers
Materials for finishing the opening
The design of the opening should be combined with the overall style of the room. In addition, you need to select materials that will not deteriorate under the influence of moisture and steam. Plastic is suitable for such purposes.
Depending on the design goals, the opening can be either with or without a window sill. The frame can match the color of the interior or contrast. So, you can make a bright accent by highlighting the window area.
Designers advise laying the window sill with tiles: it is not susceptible to damage, it is easy to wash and clean. Natural stone or its imitation is also suitable for finishing. If it is not possible to purchase such materials, you can putty the slopes and paint them in the desired color.
Tiles in the bathroom.
What fabrics are suitable?
For sewing Roman blinds, as well as curtains of classic length for the bathroom, polyester-based fabrics are suitable, as well as mixed fabrics with a predominance of synthetic materials (approximately 85-90%) in the composition (acrylic, polyester, polyamide) and the addition of natural ones - cotton, linen, cambric, muslin. Such compositions will prevent the fabric from shrinking, withstand moisture and repeated washing, and will not fade in the sun. Rolled options are usually purchased ready-made, and here it is important to check with the seller whether the canvas is impregnated with special water-repellent compounds. This option will extend the life of the system.
Design: Factor Design Build
Design: Factor Design Build
Design: Accent Window Fashions
Design: Accent Window Fashions
Curtains or blinds
In the understanding of most, a window should always be decorated with a curtain, curtain or blinds. But in conditions of high humidity, this option seems the most impractical of all: the fabric will be constantly wet, which is why fungus will quickly settle on it. If, however, the general concept does not suggest another solution than curtains, then try to choose moisture-resistant fabrics (as, for example, on shower curtains), since any natural fabrics strongly absorb condensation.
To avoid having to deal with mildew on your curtains, choose a fabric that is water-repellent.
For an eco-style bathroom, wooden blinds or shutters (treated with a special compound that allows the wood to be used in wet rooms) would be an excellent option. Metal models are suitable for bathrooms in modern styles.
Day/night blinds are a more modern option, thanks to which you can choose the desired level of illumination. Roller blinds of any shade will suit absolutely all styles, except classic ones.
If there are no plumbing fixtures at the window, and the design of the room encourages experimentation, decorate the window sill with live indoor plants: moisture-loving flowers will be very grateful to you for this.
How to decorate a bathroom window: 3 non-standard ways
Using stained glass on glass
An original and stylish decor option will help not only protect the room from the views of strangers, but also add play of light and colored spots to the interior.
Design: Brickstone Design
Design: Brickstone Design
Design: Brickstone Design
Design: Brickstone Design
Shutters (louvered shutters)
This system will be a good alternative to blinds. If necessary, the shutters can be moved apart and the window left “bare” or opened completely. Plus a beautiful graphic darkening of the space and an expensive appearance.
Design: Stashchuk Tatyana
Design: Stashchuk Tatyana
Electrochromic glasses (smart glasses)
These are glasses that can change from transparent to completely frosted. “Smart” glass can become frosted automatically, reacting to light or temperature changes, or be controlled by electricity: for bathrooms with a window, the second option is more suitable. By the way, the system can connect to a “smart home”.
Design: Schwartz and Architecture
Design: Schwartz and Architecture
Design: Sisson Lea Architects
Design: Sisson Lea Architects