Ventilation is one of the most crucial things to consider when moving into a new place. Living rooms are also one of the busiest parts of every home, and that calls for a free flow of fresh, clean air. Nevertheless, many buildings come with small living room windows.
Drawing from experiences with poor airflow in living room spaces, I’ve had to wonder, just how big should living room windows be?
A living room window measurement typically ranges from 24 to 96 inches in width and 12 to 96 inches in height. Expectedly, living room windows should be large enough to allow as much light in as possible. Also, each room is distinct, so your living room size will determine the window size.
Whether you’re looking to move houses or build a new home, paying attention to the size of your living room window is crucial.
Read on to learn about what sizes of windows work well for living room areas and how to make the most of them
How to Determine Windows Size For Your Living Room?
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While there is no set formula for calculating the proper window size for a space, a few factors should be considered. Notably, your living room design (aesthetics) and the available wall space will help you decide what window size is best.
While drawing your house plan, you may want to consider the landscape of your land and other surrounding structures. These factors will provide an idea of how much light can be let into your living room. At this point, deciding on the right size of window becomes easier.
To open up your living room area without having a complete wall of windows, you can opt for tall and narrow windows. Taller windows let in more light and air and have a more modern aesthetic appeal than wider and shorter windows.
Realtors have shown me a few attractive houses with windows of varying shapes and sizes. Everything else about such buildings could make sense, but something about the lack of alignment sends a bad signal for ventilation. If you’ve decided on what size of windows you want, it’s a good idea to align them evenly.
Organize your living room windows according to the single or panel styles, and make sure they match. It’s important to space your windows evenly, even if you make a wall of them.
Tip For Picking The Right Living Room Window Size
I didn’t find any rules set in stone for selecting the right living room window size. However, in determining how big living room windows should be, these tips came in handy:
Window sill height: The sills of operable windows must be at least 44 inches from the floor per the IRC, the International Residential Code. Ideally, you should be able to see the outside, whether sitting in a chair or lying in bed.
Because of this, your options will be restricted to non-operable windows like picture windows and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Window Head Height: The height of your living room windows is not governed by any rules. It depends on your preferences as well as the window’s design. Leave plenty of space between the ceiling and the window head when choosing where to install windows to get less natural light in.
It’s not the best option if you’re looking for a window that saves you money on energy costs. Nevertheless, it is a problem if there is a big space between the window head and the ceiling.
Width and Height Proportion: If you’re curious about the height-to-width ratio, remember that it’s a matter of personal preference. The architectural style, for example, has a significant impact. Continuous windows are very common in modern construction.
However, the continuous windows may appear out of place when compared to more traditional styles of construction. Grilles are an option for classic windows. When choosing a grille, look for one whose height exceeds its breadth.
The window design chosen for new construction may have an impact on the type and size of windows you end up with.
Should Windows Be Centered On A Wall?
Windows should typically be centered on the wall. Otherwise, your space will appear unfinished if your windows are not centered on your wall. That isn’t to say you can’t be creative with your windows and have some fun with them.
However, keep in mind that a focal point and a sense of perspective should always be present. Yet, there are a few options if you still want to put windows on either side of the wall.
Install a mantle and fireplace between your rogue windows to frame the area and make it look more useful.
A fireplace boosts the resale value of your home and adds a great amount of fun to it during winter.
Also, regardless of where you position your living room windows, spacing and alignment should always be equal and even. When you don’t want to put up a wall, stacking windows is an excellent alternative.
Nevertheless, a cantered window doesn’t work without walls, so you may want to opt for windows that fit your house design.
Should I Choose a Picture Window?
With each passing year, picture windows gain in popularity among homeowners and builders alike. In a living room or kitchen, a 50×40-inch picture window is commonplace.
The beauty of picture windows also lies in the fact that they come in a wide range of sizes and styles. For clarity, a picture window is a simple borderless window that resembles a picture frame.
Since many buildings feature picture windows, very little attention is placed on their aesthetic value.
However, picture windows can be customized to match your requirements, so you can have the perfect fit for your room’s dimensions.
If you’re building in an area where picture windows are commonplace, these are some of the advantages you’ll get by choosing the right size:
View
A panoramic view is only one of the many advantages that come with picture windows. Being unmulled means, you can see your entire yard from the comfort of your own home.
It’s a great way to draw attention to your outside décor or landscaping.
Natural Light
The natural light that comes in from the picture windows also makes the room appear larger and more inviting. The design of such windows, on the other hand, can enhance the aesthetics of your house.
Particularly when combined with other windows.
Final Thoughts
It’ll never be easy to figure out what windows are big enough if you don’t have a plan. Hence, though this article focuses on the most efficient method of estimating living room window size, you may make some adjustments when you have a drawn plan.
Once you’ve decided on the ideal window size or proportion, make certain that all of your windows are the same height and width.
Maintaining uniformity in window size will help your living room’s appearance be more cohesive and unified.
If you want to brighten up your home, consider installing larger, wider windows. More natural light will enter, which will improve the appearance and feel of the house.
Consult a seasoned window installer to ensure the size and style will complement your home’s architecture.
