Open up Your Kitchen to the Great Outdoors by Adding Windows
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Whether your kitchen is facing a view of tropical palms, a cascading forest, a beautiful mountain range or the comfortable coziness of your own backyard, opening your kitchen up to the great outdoors can make your space feel bright and cheerful. Even if you have a kitchen that’s smaller than you’d like or doesn’t meet all your expectations, making things just a bit brighter will let you enjoy it that much more.
There are so many ways you can utilize windows to make your kitchen the best space in your home. Some options might take a bit more budget and elbow grease, while others are quick fixes that can make a world of difference. Here are a few ways you can open your kitchen to the great outdoors by adding windows or accentuating the ones you already have.
1. Go up, Not Out
One of the best tips you can utilize when planning to add windows to your kitchen is going up, not outward. This can be especially helpful if your kitchen doesn’t have a lot of square footage. Going up brings more light into your space while maintaining cabinets, shelving and other wall decor.
2. Tear Down Walls
If you want to make bigger changes, you may find yourself tearing out walls. You can embark on this project on your own if you have the prior knowledge and experience to do so, but most times, it’s best to leave significant structural changes to the professionals. This might be your best bet if you want to alter a load-bearing wall.
3. Repair Existing Windows
If your existing windows are small and dingy, one of the solutions could be to repair them. Details like cracks, slashes and rotting drip caps can make them look dirty or small, even if the actual space for the window is fairly open. Repairs can make windows feel brighter without adding anything new.
4. Wash Your Windows
Some windows feel dark and dingy simply because they need a good cleaning. If it’s been a long time since you last cleaned them, it’s time to roll up your sleeves. Dirt, dust and grime can obstruct light, and getting rid of those things let you see much more clearly out into the world. This can be a great way to kick off your spring cleaning!
5. Add Pass-Throughs
If you want to open up your living space as well as your kitchen, a pass-through window could be exactly what you need. This feature opens up one room into another and can often be a great way to brighten up a kitchen island or breakfast nook. It’s a great way to make the most out of your windows, especially if you have a living space or den that could use a bit more light.
6. Use Doors
If you want to go much bigger, you could turn your window into a door. Not everybody has a kitchen that leads to an outdoor space, but if you can make that happen, your kitchen might feel much more open. Glass doors are a great way to combine windows and doors into one functional idea, which can bring in more light and open up the view throughout your kitchen and living space.
7. Lighten Up
Do you enjoy drapes, blinds and other window accessories? Keeping windows wide open and spacious can let you enjoy the view outside, but another option is using lighter blinds and shades that are a bit sheerer. This solution allows you to enjoy the outdoors while also keeping a bit of privacy, which can be great if you happen to have neighbors close by. That way, you get the best of both worlds.
8. Open Them
There’s nothing like having fresh air roll into your home and brighten your mood. Sometimes, all you need to do is open your windows and let the outdoors in. This can make your space feel so much more inviting, in addition to bringing in some natural aromatherapy.
9. Install Bay Windows
If you have the space, installing bay windows can be a great way to get a glimpse of whatever lies beyond your walls. They provide a wide, consistent view and let you enjoy them in comfort. You can add a breakfast nook, kitchen table and even benches with storage underneath for maximum function and comfort.
10. Go Floor to Ceiling
Floor-to-ceiling windows might be just the thing you need to add a modern look. They let the light in and open up your space. This option may not be possible for all kitchens, and it may sometimes require some structural alterations, but many people find those changes to be well worth it.
11. Get Creative
When it comes to windows, you have a lot of options in terms of style, aesthetics and creativity. Don’t let it go unused! It is your home, after all, and you should have the freedom to do what you like with it. Go window shopping — literally — by checking out other homes for inspiration and scoping out the internet for little details that could make your home feel a bit more unique to you. From the shape to the shades — and even the shutters, you can have the final word in all of the details.
12. Mirror Image
A great tip for making any space feel lighter and brighter is to add a mirror either parallel or perpendicular to windows and sources of light in your home. When you add a mirror, the light coming in will reflect off of that mirror and brighten up the rest of the house. Not only that, but mirrors help to expand spaces, so your home can feel larger and lighter. While floor-to-ceiling mirrors and mirrored doors can do this, even small mirrors can lend a helping hand.
Opening up Your Kitchen
Windows can open up any room or space, and your kitchen is no different. Whether you wash your existing windows, knock down some walls or get some lighter blinds, letting the light in and opening your kitchen up can make everything seem brighter. Do you have a window solution you’re itching to try?
