Your living room is one of the most important rooms in your house and should be a practical, functional reflection of your personal style.
New replacement windows are a great way to embellish your living room and exterior with architectural flair. However, not all windows are created equally, and many styles aren’t suited for large multipurpose spaces like living rooms. We think the following window shapes complement living spaces effortlessly—but only you can decide which one is best for your home!
Popular Living Room Window Shapes and Styles
Bay and Bow Windows
Bay windows and bow windows are two different types of windows, but they’re often mentioned together because they have similar shapes. Both styles can create an excellent “statement piece” for spacious living rooms.
Bay and bow windows combine multiple windows to create a curve that protrudes outward from your home. Typically, this curve makes an oversized windowsill that can be used as a seating area, such as a reading corner or breakfast nook, that works great in living rooms.
Bay windows feature a central picture window and two double-hung windows on each side, installed at a precise angle. They’re commonly found in contemporary homes. Bow windows, on the other hand, create a subtle curve using four or more windows, and they’re most often found in traditional homes. They can be a pain to clean, however—so if you don’t have much time for maintenance, you should opt for one of the options below.
Double-Hung Windows
If you’re searching for windows that will enhance your living room with classic charm, look no further than double-hung windows. These popular windows have two operable sashes that effortlessly slide up and down, unlike the one operable sash on single-hung windows.
Double-hung windows are great for tight spaces in your living room where you don’t have room to swing your window outward, but you’d still like to enjoy some fresh air. You can slide the top sash and bottom sash open for extra ventilation, and many modern double-hung windows come with tilt-in panes to make cleaning a breeze!
Casement Windows
Casement windows are the perfect option to embellish a contemporary living space with a sleek style. These windows are hinged on the side (right or left) and open like a door. When closed, they offer spectacular unobstructed views of the outdoors, and when open, they allow fresh air and natural sunlight to stream into your home.
Casement windows can be installed individually or grouped on larger walls in your living room. However, before installing casement windows, it’s crucial to ensure they have plenty of room to swing open. If your window is too close to outdoor furniture or landscaping, it may become scratched or damaged when it’s opened.
Why It’s Important to Choose the Perfect Window Shape and Style
Windows serve many crucial functions—keeping your house cool, boosting your security, muffling outdoor noises, and increasing your property’s resale value. Investing in an industry-leading brand, like Andersen Windows, ensures you’ll receive top-notch performance in these categories.
While these features are essential for all windows, the room you install your windows in can impact other important features you need and want your windows to perform. For example, you may desire windows with excellent ventilation in steamy rooms, like your bathrooms, and windows that are easy to clean in hard-to-reach places, like second-story bedrooms.
That said, here are some features you’ll want to consider before installing replacement windows in your living room:
Beautiful Views
If your living room borders your lush neighborhood, backyard garden, or cozy porch, you may wish to place these outdoor spaces on display. If so, consider installing larger windows, like casement or bay and bow windows, to offer unobstructed views to your family and guests.
Personal Privacy
On the other hand, many living rooms are situated at the front of your home, near busy streets and neighborhood noise. If you’d like your living room to be a quiet space with extra privacy, you may want to install double-hung windows that look great with blinds, shutters, or shades.
Right Size
Choosing the correct size, style, and number of windows for your living space is crucial. This impacts the appearance of your living room and your home’s energy efficiency.
For example, if you have tall ceilings, you may want to install slender vertical windows, like casement windows, to fill wall space. If you have a standard-size living room, you may want to choose one statement window, like a bow window. This will prevent too much sunlight from filtering into your home since installing too many windows may cause your energy bills to spike.
Invest in Professional Window Installation for Your Living Room with Approved Contractor
Once you’ve chosen the perfect shape for your living room windows, you can select the materials, colors, and accessories. Then your installation will begin!
If you’re looking for a window contractor to guide you through the installation process, our team would be happy to help. We’re an Andersen Window Certified Contractor, so we can offer you maximum installation benefits on a wide range of industry-leading window products.
Explore the types of replacement windows we offer to gather inspiration for your upcoming window installation!
