10 Windows in Unexpected Places

10 Windows in Unexpected Places

January 31, 2025

A space that feels ineffective due to its small size or strange shape—like a stairwell, hallway, or bathroom—may just need a surprising new window.

Sometimes a simple question can prompt you to think differently about space. Consider this: where can a window be placed? Of course, structure and layout are considered first when determining where an opening should go, but aesthetic conventions can also be reevaluated to bring new life to otherwise underserved spaces. For example, have you ever seen a window as a backsplash or in a pantry? Read on to learn about the benefits of discovering and tapping into unexpected opportunities like these.

1. A Successful Landing

This contemporary home does not conceal its staircase, and it is all the more welcoming for it. The warm wooden stairs offer a surprise by landing right in front of a VistaLuxe WD LINE corner direct set. These windows include a maple interior, further embracing the organic texture and color.

VistaLuxe WD LINE  corner direct set windows Maple wood interior, double clear coat finish

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2. Dining in the View

This Ultra Series direct set takes the idea of dining with a view to the next level. The window extends above and below a transparent countertop, seemingly placing you in the scenery. This design not only creates a unique mealtime experience but also welcomes greater light and expanded views into the rest of the home.

Ultra Series direct set casement  Field-finished interior

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3. The Glass Passage

It’s one thing to put a window in a hallway, but it is another to let glass define that hallway. With VistaLuxe WD LINE direct sets and awnings forming these crystal-clear walls, this walkway subverts expectations and takes on the character of an open, calming garden path.

VistaLuxe Collection WD LINE products  Direct sets and awning windows 7/8" wide PDL bars Matte Black hardware Alder wood interior Factory-finished with Ebony stain

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4. No Need to Choose

When placing a window or door, you may be sacrificing the opportunity for a wall to be used for something else, like as a defining spot for a large piece of furniture. This home, however, takes a different approach. This tall but discreet window sits among built-in storage units, illuminating the pragmatic room and creating a small desk space.

VistaLuxe WD LINE direct set Pine interior, finished on the jobsite

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5. A Break in an Unusual Façade

The geometrically focused concept of this façade at first doesn’t seem to leave much opportunity for a window. Yet—with some unconventional thinking—a sliver of glass now peeks through, offering additional light and texture. A space may not always fit a traditional window, but a custom solution may be perfect!

Ultra Series beveled direct set windows, including geometric shapes Crank-out casements and awnings Extruded aluminum clad exterior with a Clear anodized finish

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6. Rethink the Backsplash

Can’t decide what material to use for your backsplash? Try glass. Not only does a window in this unusual placement bring intrigue to a kitchen space, but it also adds a fascinating detail to the façade from outside. Thinking outside the box changes everything!

VistaLuxe WD LINE direct set, awning and complementary folding door on the left. Pictured on the right is VistaLuxe WD LINE direct set and complementary folding door Extruded aluminum clad exterior with Timberwolf

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7. Office with an Indoor View

Above this kitchen and dining area sits a home office lined with VistaLuxe AL LINE windows. The windows are interior, facing into the home’s main living space and pulling in natural light from the already sunlit room. As an extra bonus, the triple pane glass limits the disruptive noise entering the office area.

VistaLuxe AL LINE direct sets Aluminum interior with powder-coated finish in Onyx

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8. Between Levels

Allowing light into a stairwell space can be difficult. Windows in these spaces are often quite simple and small, or they are forfeited altogether. This Ultra Series window stepped up to the challenge, cutting through the staircase itself and illuminating both the upward and downward circulation paths. Plus, it creates a new space for some plants to soak up the sun.

Ultra Series picture casement Mixed Grain Fir wood interior, double clear coat finish

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9. Where You Least Expect It

Where you would most likely anticipate seeing only a mirror, this home also includes a window. Positioned directly above the bathroom sink, the inclusion of glass here enhances daily routine with remarkable views. When a window or door is placed somewhere truly creative, even the most ordinary experiences in a space are uplifted.

VistaLuxe WD LINE direct sets, casements, and swinging door Pine interior, with a Coal Black Finish Hardware in Matte Black

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10. A Warm, Bright Pantry

Are storage rooms necessary evils that should be concealed rather than celebrated? We don’t think so, and this pantry space—lit up by a VistaLuxe WD LINE direct set—is proof. The natural light shows the wood cabinetry at its best, making the simple act of finding a dish or an ingredient an enriching one.

VistaLuxe WD LINE direct set Pine wood interior with Ultra Pure White finish

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Where are some surprising places that you’ve found a window? What kind of effect did it have on you? Creative solutions like these are powerful reminders that our visions are virtually limitless; we just need to find the right collaborators and right materials to bring them to life!

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