Spotted! Homes That Let the Sun Shine In
With their striking round skylights, angled windows and sunroofs, these houses are a glass act
With creative thinking (and the help of knowledgeable professionals), your home can bathe in the sun. If you crave natural light and are planning to remodel or build a house, take inspiration from these spectacular glass-enhanced spaces.
And if the roof light weren’t enough, the kitchen also has a wall of glass.
Circles of Light
Who said skylights have to be rectangular? The bubblelike skylights in this contemporary home in Perth, Australia, add a touch of whimsy as the light plays on the floor.
Who said skylights have to be rectangular? The bubblelike skylights in this contemporary home in Perth, Australia, add a touch of whimsy as the light plays on the floor.
A single round skylight is another option. A large one over a two-story atrium brings abundant light to a Sydney kitchen.
In this New York home, the shape of the light fixture echoes the skylight beyond.
Note: Concerned about skylights bringing in too much light? Retractable awnings and remote-controlled shades are popular options. Or consider smart glass, which adjusts automatically to changing light conditions.
Is It Curtains for Curtains? Smart Glass Eliminates Window Coverings
Note: Concerned about skylights bringing in too much light? Retractable awnings and remote-controlled shades are popular options. Or consider smart glass, which adjusts automatically to changing light conditions.
Is It Curtains for Curtains? Smart Glass Eliminates Window Coverings
Private Screening
This luxurious Los Angeles dressing room benefits from a roof feature that lets in the light while retaining privacy and adding glamour …
This luxurious Los Angeles dressing room benefits from a roof feature that lets in the light while retaining privacy and adding glamour …
… much as the skylight screen does in this contemporary kitchen.
Great Heights
Skylights are only one option. Consider installing windows that wow instead. If you have the luxury of height, you can make dramatic use of your extra wall space by installing floor-to-ceiling windows, as shown in this house in Melbourne, Australia.
Skylights are only one option. Consider installing windows that wow instead. If you have the luxury of height, you can make dramatic use of your extra wall space by installing floor-to-ceiling windows, as shown in this house in Melbourne, Australia.
Tip: Worried all that glass and concrete will make your home seem lacking in warmth and comfort? Keep things cozy with a hanging fireplace like this one.
Right Angle
Try thinking outside the box when it comes to your windows. The angled window in this Melbourne bedroom complements the space while framing the blue sky beyond — a perfect match for the walls within.
12 Unusual Windows With a Fresh Point of View
Try thinking outside the box when it comes to your windows. The angled window in this Melbourne bedroom complements the space while framing the blue sky beyond — a perfect match for the walls within.
12 Unusual Windows With a Fresh Point of View
All Out
Why stop at skylights or windows? A glass ceiling is a striking feature in this London kitchen addition …
Why stop at skylights or windows? A glass ceiling is a striking feature in this London kitchen addition …
… and there’s no need to stop there, as proved by this spectacular “glass box” addition, also in London.
Tip: So much glass can be cold and noisy. Consider double- or even triple-paned glass to improve the heat and sound insulation.
Tip: So much glass can be cold and noisy. Consider double- or even triple-paned glass to improve the heat and sound insulation.
Warm Glow
Skylights needn’t be clinical. The fanned wooden battens surrounding the skylights in this Melbourne dining space are spectacular.
Skylights needn’t be clinical. The fanned wooden battens surrounding the skylights in this Melbourne dining space are spectacular.
Wood and glass are used to stunning effect again here in this Australian farmhouse renovation.
What a bathroom. It’s too good to not take a second look!
Pop Top
This Sydney home turns the skylight on its head, with slim glass windows letting in light below the ceiling.
This Sydney home turns the skylight on its head, with slim glass windows letting in light below the ceiling.
The Sky’s the Limit
Of course, you could go all out and remove the glass altogether, as was done in this London home. It’s not quite as open as it looks though: This is, in fact, a glass roof light that slides open completely at the touch of a button to give its owners the best of both worlds.
Tell us: How have you used glass creatively in your home? Post a picture in the Comments.
More
Browse photos of rooms with skylights
Find window dealers and installers
Of course, you could go all out and remove the glass altogether, as was done in this London home. It’s not quite as open as it looks though: This is, in fact, a glass roof light that slides open completely at the touch of a button to give its owners the best of both worlds.
Tell us: How have you used glass creatively in your home? Post a picture in the Comments.
More
Browse photos of rooms with skylights
Find window dealers and installers
While traditional skylights are small, functional and rather uninspiring, modern roof lights are anything but. This large roof light helps ensure that an Australian expat’s kitchen stays bright and airy even on the grimmest of London days. No doubt the houseplants are loving the light too.