On the subject of interiors, I’ll mention window treatments. You spend all this time choosing beautiful windows, and then you realize you need to cover them sometimes for privacy or to block light. That can impact your interior design too. When we updated our windows, our old heavy drapes looked out of place with the sleek new look. We switched to simple roller shades that almost disappear when rolled up. In the evenings, they come down and have a clean look (we chose a color similar to the wall so they blend in).
For our arch window in the foyer, we decided not to cover it at all – it’s above eye level, so we just let it be a decorative window that brings in light. In the bedroom, we invested in some nice plantation shutters which actually add to the interior aesthetic (white wood, matches our trim, very crisp lines). But I did worry initially that shutters would “hide” our pretty new windows. The key was to get ones that fit inside the window opening, so the frames of the window still show.
Just something to keep in mind: think about how your curtain rods, blinds, or shutters will look with your new windows. Sometimes the more modern window styles call for simpler window treatments. It’s like accessorizing – you want the right balance so you don’t undo the style you’ve created.
For those in historic or conservation areas (like some parts of Tampa have), you might run into rules on window designs. In our case, our home is in a designated historic neighborhood, and we had limitations. We couldn’t use vinyl windows on the front facade, only wood or wood-clad that matched the original profiles. That definitely steered our design decisions because it limited our color choices (we went with white since the original was white) and we had to include the same grid pattern the house had in the 1920s.
We got it done (with wood windows that look great, though they cost more). On the sides and back we quietly put vinyl windows that looked similar enough but were more budget-friendly. The funny thing is, from the street you’d never know – everything looks cohesive, and we kept the historical style, but we saved money where we could on the not-visible areas. The interior of the wood vs vinyl is a bit different, but we painted the wood ones inside to match the vinyl ones, and it’s pretty seamless.
So my advice: if you’re in an older neighborhood, check if there are guidelines or if your neighbors have done similar projects. Sometimes you have to compromise on design because of those rules, but usually you can find a solution that keeps everyone happy (historic boards, your aesthetic sense, and your wallet!).
Great point by User42. My friend has a 1930s bungalow in Tampa Heights and ran into the same thing. She actually ended up doing wood windows in front (to appease the historic guidelines) and a good vinyl on the sides/back, just like you described. They even custom-ordered the vinyl ones with external grids to mimic the wood ones so that when you see the house from an angle, it all looks uniform.
Also, about color consistency: in some neighborhoods, if every house has white windows, one bold black one might stick out. My street is mostly mid-century block homes where most folks still have aluminum frames (usually bronze or white). When I put in new windows, I wanted bronze, and that was fine, but I opted not to go jet-black because none of the surrounding houses had that and I didn’t want to visually clash. It’s not a rule, but just a consideration for curb appeal – you can be unique, but you probably don’t want to look completely out of place either.
Luckily, nowadays many colors are 'in vogue', so even if you do black or bronze, it’s not like it’s an unheard-of thing. But checking out your neighbors’ homes for context is always a good idea when choosing an exterior design element like window color or style.
I have a slightly different scenario to throw in: adding new windows where there weren’t any. Has anyone done that and can share design pointers? We’re thinking of cutting a new window into an exterior wall to bring light into a staircase (right now it’s a bit dark). I’m mainly concerned with how it will look from the outside – like, suddenly there’s an extra window that wasn’t there before. I want it to look intentional, not tacked on.
Our house has a fairly symmetrical front, so if we add a window to the side wall of the house, maybe it won’t affect the symmetry of the front view. But I still wonder if it’ll look odd from the street at an angle. Should I try to align it with existing windows (like in height or size)? It would be a small vertical window just to let light in.
If anyone has done something like this (adding a window in a staircase or hallway), did it improve the look? Did you match the style of the other windows exactly or make it a different kind of accent window? I’m a bit nervous but also excited at the prospect of more natural light in that dark area.
@anime800 – Yes, we added a window in our staircase and it made a world of difference inside! Design-wise, here’s what we considered: we placed it on an exterior wall that didn’t face the front street directly (it faces the side yard). That avoided messing with the front facade symmetry. We chose a small rectangular window (horizontal orientation) near the top of the stair landing.
From outside, we aligned the top of that window with the tops of the other windows on that side of the house, so there’s a visual line. Even though it’s smaller, it kind of 'belongs' because it lines up with something. We also used the same frame color and style as our other windows, so it doesn’t draw attention as an odd one out. It almost looks like it was always meant to be there.
Inside, it brightened the staircase wonderfully. One caution: think about what you’ll see out of that new window. In our case, it’s high enough that we mostly see sky and treetops, which is nice. If it’s lower and just faces a fence or neighbor’s wall, you might want to go for an opaque glass or higher placement. But overall, if done thoughtfully, adding a window can enhance both the interior and exterior. Just keep proportions and alignment in mind when placing it.
I have to echo something many have said: new windows can transform a house. When we replaced our old ones, we expected better energy efficiency and operation, but we didn’t realize how much it would boost the appearance. We had 1980s aluminum frames that were pitted and the glass was starting to fog. After installing new white vinyl windows (with no grids for a cleaner look), our home suddenly looked years younger, if that makes sense.
Our neighbors actually thought we did a bigger renovation, asking if we repainted or changed siding – but it was really mostly the windows. The frames were a bit thicker on the new windows (since old aluminum ones were very thin), but they are so clean and bright that it still looks great. And from inside, everything is clearer and the street view is more pleasant without decades-old glass.
So I’d say, even if you don’t go fancy on design, just updating to modern windows in itself is a design upgrade. Of course, if you can incorporate some of the style ideas discussed (color, grids, shape changes), even better. But if someone is reading this and feeling overwhelmed, know that any quality new window is likely to look pretty darn good compared to old failing ones!
So true, User46! We had a similar experience. We kept it simple with our replacement – white frames, similar style as before (double-hungs with the same grid pattern). But the difference in clarity and cleanliness was huge. It’s like cleaning a dirty pair of glasses – you don’t realize how blurry things were until you replace them!
One of our favorite unexpected perks: the sound insulation. Design-wise, you can’t see that, but you sure can feel it. Our new windows have made the inside of our home so much quieter from outside noise. In a busy Tampa neighborhood, that’s a blessing. We didn’t even opt for any special soundproof glass, it’s just that dual-pane impact glass naturally dampens sound.
Anyway, I guess the lesson is, whether you go fancy or stay basic, you’ll likely love the outcome. And like you said, sometimes the simple, clean look is the best update. Don’t feel like you must do something crazy to get a good result – even “standard” modern windows will probably delight you and anyone who passes by your house.
One more Florida-specific tip: if you live near the coast or even just deal with humid, salty air, consider the materials for longevity. We had old steel windows originally (on a 60s house by the bay) and they rusted out. When we upgraded, we chose vinyl for its corrosion resistance. Aesthetically, we made the vinyl look a bit more 'traditional' by selecting a style with beveled edges and we added nice exterior moulding around it, so you can’t really tell they’re vinyl at first glance.
Our neighbor went with aluminum replacements (they wanted the thinner frames). They got a good powder-coated finish, but even so, after about 5 years, you can see a bit of oxidation and pitting starting where the sea breeze constantly hits. It’s minor, but it’s there. Our vinyl, meanwhile, looks brand new with just an occasional wash.
So in terms of design + practicality: if you’re in a harsh environment, the 'trend' or wise move is to use materials that will maintain their look over time. Vinyl and fiberglass are great for that, whereas plain aluminum might need more upkeep or eventually a refinish. If you do choose aluminum for the slim look, maybe get a factory-painted color that hides any future spots (like a bronze might hide specks better than white). We’re all about that low maintenance life, so vinyl was our choice and we tailored the design around that.
I’ll say this: if you have a killer view, maximize it if you can! My cousin lives on a canal here and had these small windows in the back. When he remodeled, he put in a gigantic picture window in the living room facing the water. It’s like a live painting – so gorgeous. They went without any grids or any tint that would spoil the clarity. It’s literally floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall glass in that part of the room.
Now, obviously not everyone can do that (and it must have been expensive and a pain structurally to achieve), but even enlarging a window or combining two into one can create a similar effect. We don’t have a water view, but we did widen our dining room window by a couple of feet, and now we have a broader view of our garden, which makes dinners so pleasant at sunset.
If you go big like that, just plan for how you’ll manage sunlight and privacy. My cousin ended up installing a motorized roll-down shade for the big window that’s hidden in a valance, so when they want to watch TV in the daytime or at night for privacy, it comes down. It’s neutral-colored, so it doesn’t detract from the decor. So there are ways to have the best of both – big view when you want it, shade when you need it.
Big windows are amazing, but a consideration that came up for us was privacy on the front of the house. We replaced a pair of double-hung windows in our living room with a single large fixed window. It looks beautiful and really opens up the space. However, now people from the street can see straight in unless we close our blinds. With the smaller windows (and their grids and divisions), it wasn’t as open of a view in.
Our solution was two-fold: first, we got a decorative window film for the bottom portion of the big window that looks like etched glass. It covers about the lower third, so if someone is walking by, they can’t directly see our couch area. We left the top two-thirds clear so we still get the view of the trees and sky. From outside, the etched pattern actually looks pretty, like it’s part of the window design.
Second, we landscaped a bit – planted a couple of flowering shrubs in front of the window (not fully blocking it, but just adding a layer). They kind of screen the view of the lower half of the window as well. And they look nice against the house. Now we feel less exposed but still enjoy the benefits of the large glass. Just thought I’d share that in case anyone is thinking of supersizing a front window – consider a partial frosted design or some greenery for privacy so you don’t feel like you’re in a fishbowl.