We have a window in our living room that leads to the sun room. I’m almost certain that our sun room was an addition and the window was just left as is. We’ve always worked around it and have dreamed of maybe one day replacing the window with a built-in bookcase. This would require brick work, etc. Lately I’ve been curious and so I began collecting pictures of how others work around their internal windows. I’m glad I did because these images are all really nice.
I found it interesting that each window was bare – as in no window treatments. Of course mine has a bamboo shade and curtains (figures). It also seems like the windows in the images are ignored which might be the best scenario. In most cases they simply allow a glimpse into the next room and possibly add light to the space.
Now I’m beginning to feel like I’m over thinking it. What would you do with an internal window? Would you ignore it or treat it like any other window?
I had this in my Minnesota cottage – in my kitchen looking into my sunporch addition. I just always had the windows in their open position and bare as they were over my sink.
xo~Jill
My first instinct was to leave it bare and keep it to allow light. I think you would miss it if you were to replace with bookshelves.
We had one in our first house in CT. It was in the kitchen and looked out to the sunroom. I left it bare too. All these inspiration pics are beautiful!
We had one in our last two houses, both times in the kitchen looking out into the sunroom. I loved it!
Depends if I needed the light in the interior room. If not, I might mirror the panes and treat it like a big mirror. If yes, make the window frame as attractive as possible and leave it bare like in your examples…
Good point. I've thought about using mirrors before and have even propped a piece of art in the window. Thanks foe the feedback!
I've actually never been in a house that has an internal window but from the images, they seem to add so much character!
I love all the inspiration pics! Even though they're bare, they are all high-contrast with the walls. It's not like they're just "plain." The first one, in particular, has a LOT of beautiful molding and high-gloss paint to make it almost look like a piece of art. The addition of the sconces really makes it look like a really purposeful installation … not an afterthought. I think you could leave yours "bare," beef up the molding, add a couple of sconces, touch up the paint and have the same look! Can't wait to see what you do. 🙂
What about converting it to a french door, would that work in your space? Love the photos you've selected – just gorgeous!
Believe me I've thought of that one before too! Love, love the look of a fireplace flanked by french doors! Our problem is that we need the wall space for furniture placement. It is very complicated :/
We put interior shutters in each room since we didn't need the light and didn't want the view of either to be seen – which was from the living room into the sunroom. That was many years and 2 houses ago and wonder if I'd make the same choice now with all the options available to us today.
Whatever you choose will be lovely……..b
Thank you B! I have shutters in the window now, but with winter months coming I'm beginning to think the extra light would be nice. As soon as I have a free minute, I might start moving things around.
I wish I had seen these when our son and his wife bought their first house. The owner had added a laundry room on the back of the house so the kitchen window, which would have looked to the backyard, had been replaced with glass block. It was ugly. Fortunately they have since moved into a lovely home. I would leave the windows without cover. I love some of the examples you've shared.
karen
danke für die schönen bilder und inspirationen!!! liebe grüße von angie
I remember visiting my great aunt's house in Santa Fe NM as a child. We walked through the front courtyard into the house. To the right was their formal living room all with terra-cotta tiles and on the far wall there was a wall of interior windows. They were always left "open" and looked into another less formal room with several small tables, leather chairs and plants. We would have lemonade and "play" with her jewelry. Had a lot of fun visiting her and happy memories.
Keep the windows "open" to your beautiful sunroom!
The pictures are lovely but I am a sheers on everything person. 😉
René, do you have any info on the blue and yellow rug in the first and second pictures?
Thanks,
Sheila
VL,
I do not have any information on the rug, but you could possibly click on the link to the image and find more details. I hope this helps.
René
Thank you – I forgot you posted links at the bottom of your article. There was a link to the rug. 🙂
Sheila