As entertaining spaces, dining rooms have a lot to gain from substantive natural light. Whether you have large picture windows or not, your home’s windows allow the outdoor luminescence to blend into your home life.
Not only can natural light bring a room to life, but it can also make you healthier and happier. It can even help improve your sleep patterns as well as your mental health. Here we’ll take a look at the many ways you can bring your dining room to life with different kinds of windows and treatments.
Types of Dining Room Windows
Besides letting light into a space, windows can also breathe fresh air into a room. They mesh indoor and outdoor living together, which is perfect for an entertainment space like a dining room or even a more casual breakfast nook. Anywhere that people come together to eat can be made better by the melodies of songbirds outside or a fresh, gentle breeze.
Determining what kind of window is right for your dining space depends upon what you want from it both aesthetically and practically. Below we’ll outline the top choices for dining room windows to help you decide.
Bay Windows
A bay window is a dreamy three-paneled window that juts out from the home – this is where you may or may not find a window seat. They are accompanied by two smaller windows that are usually casement windows. Bays allow in a ton of light.
Picture Windows
As its name implies, a picture window is a single-pane window that frames the outside view like a picture. You may also see them called fixed windows. Although they allow a fair amount of light in, a disadvantage is that these windows cannot be opened.
Sliding Windows
Sometimes referred to as a glider, sliding windows open by sliding to the side on a track rather than swinging on a hinge. While they bring fresh air into a space, these windows are inherently more difficult to clean – particularly in between the sliding pane and the stationary one.
Casement Windows
Unlike a sliding window, casement windows open or swing outwards. The majority of them are crank-operated, though some can just be pushed open. They allow ventilation without the hassle of tedious cleaning issues, however, they can develop closing problems if debris gets in.
Double-Hung Windows
Similarly to sliding windows, double-hung windows also slide open but do so vertically rather than horizontally. They can also open from either the top or bottom. Because of their mechanics, they are a more expensive option.
Window Treatment Ideas
When it comes to window treatments, there are a lot of options to consider which depend upon your desires as a homeowner. Do you want to allow more light into the room? Have more privacy? Or it could be as simple as wanting to style the windows.
Curtains and Drapes
A plethora of treatments abound with curtains and drapery from various styles, materials, and functions. A classic sheer curtain with a tieback, delicately hung pleated panel curtains, or even window scarf curtains are among the many options that would suit a dining room. These can either block light altogether or gently filter light in while offering a pop of color and layering to the room.
Blinds and Shades
There are not as many options for blinds and shades as there are fabric curtains, but your choices can still embrace a home’s aesthetic. The main types of blinds and shades you’ll consider are Roman shades, roller shades, Venetian blinds, or vertical blinds. A basic difference between them is that blinds give you more control over light exposure.
- Roman shades: Fabric-covered cellular shades that cascade in front of a window like a waterfall. These filter light subtly.
- Roller shades: Often made of wood or metal and covered in fabric, roller shades are rolled up or down at the top of the window during use.
- Venetian blinds: Comprising horizontal slats, these blinds are versatile in how much light they allow depending on how you tilt the slats open.
- Vertical blinds: Similar to the Venetian blinds, these blinds have long slats that hang vertically. Besides rotating the slats, however, you can also push them to the side so the window is in full view.
Shutters
A bit like mechanical wood blinds, shutters are usually made out of wood or composite material that can be opened and closed to allow light in. Both plantation shutters (which cover a whole window) and cafe-style shutters (which cover the bottom half of the window) are popular options.
Adding Privacy Without Sacrificing Style
Sometimes light is less of a concern than privacy. In this case, there are a lot of options that can provide both without sacrificing style – including Clark Hall’s own unique Ornate Window design.
Frosted Glass
Frosted or etched glass is a technique that allows the window to let in light but block clear views of either side of the window. This type of window is popular for privacy reasons as homeowners don’t have to worry as much about additional window treatments for privacy or losing out on natural light.
Window Films
For anyone wanting more privacy without replacing their existing window, window films are a good, inexpensive choice. These can easily be added onto a window either by the owner or a professional to obscure the views without changing the glass. Films come in a range of designs from colorful faux stained glass to a simple frosted treatment.
Layered Window Treatments
Can’t decide on a single dining room window aesthetic? Then don’t pick just one! Layered window treatments are a stylish option on their own. A layered treatment is simply using more than one application at a time. For instance, you could install Roman shades with colorful floor-length curtains on either side. You could also install a valance that hangs above the window to both hide the treatment hardware as well as add to the softness, color, and pattern of the treatment.
Ready to shine some light on your dining or entertaining space? Call Clark Hall to inquire about window installations to bring your room(s) to life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to add natural light to my home?
Installing larger windows and placing mirrors opposite of windows are two ways to add natural light into your home. You can also paint walls with light colors and add skylights.
What are some ways to add privacy to my dining room?
Curtains can add a level of privacy, filter natural light, and tie together a room’s aesthetic. There are a lot of different styles of curtains that fit dining rooms, whether they’re casual or formal in nature.
What are the best window treatments for a dining room?
That depends on the style of your dining room. There is not just one right answer for a window treatment. How it fits with the rest of your room’s vibe will determine whether or not it is the right option for you.
How do I choose the best window option to install?
Start with the category of your dining room. Is it a space for ordinary family dinners or a more formal, elevated dining area? For regular use, you may want to opt for styles that aesthetically make sense like puddle-length curtains or floor-length curtains. Whereas formal dining rooms may be more suited with treatments like goblet pleat or pinch pleat curtains.
