How Stylish French Windows Can Add Light and Character
Let in the sunshine all year round with space- and light-enhancing glazed doors
Cheryl F
6 April 2015
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing for the UK's top interiors titles. I love shopping for quirky accessories, have a passion for rummaging through vintage stores and I'm ever-hopeful of finding that elusive perfect paint shade.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing... More
French windows never go out of fashion, and for good reason. They’re a natural way to create continuity between your interior and exterior. The best ones make even a modest garden seem ultra-inviting, plus they let the light flow in and add character and romance to an ordinary room.
The stunning modern wall of sliding glass may be growing in popularity, but a humble pair of traditional hinged, glazed French windows still has its place and, crucially, can be surprisingly affordable. So whether you want something simple or are aiming for extra-special, take a look at these lovely ideas to help you decide which style might work for you.
The stunning modern wall of sliding glass may be growing in popularity, but a humble pair of traditional hinged, glazed French windows still has its place and, crucially, can be surprisingly affordable. So whether you want something simple or are aiming for extra-special, take a look at these lovely ideas to help you decide which style might work for you.
Create a scene
Used cleverly, French windows can frame a tantalising glimpse into your home as well as out of it. Here, the rustic dining table makes a charming centrepiece in this country-style room. Period-style doors with horizontal bars, like these, can look less fussy than Georgian ones, but more interesting than totally plain doors.
Used cleverly, French windows can frame a tantalising glimpse into your home as well as out of it. Here, the rustic dining table makes a charming centrepiece in this country-style room. Period-style doors with horizontal bars, like these, can look less fussy than Georgian ones, but more interesting than totally plain doors.
Don’t over-complicate things
Before you choose your French windows, think hard about what will blend best with the architecture of your property. In this home, minimal bespoke French doors echo the modern space, and create a clean, bright feel: more traditional French windows might have felt overly fussy.
Before you choose your French windows, think hard about what will blend best with the architecture of your property. In this home, minimal bespoke French doors echo the modern space, and create a clean, bright feel: more traditional French windows might have felt overly fussy.
Reach for the skylight
French windows don’t need to be over-designed. A line of plain white windows can look brilliant, as this breezy living area proves. Here, the windows meet the skylight for maximum light potential, while the lines of the doors subtly mirror those of the ceiling panes above, so the space feels perfectly tied together.
Plan a chic skylight with these ideas
French windows don’t need to be over-designed. A line of plain white windows can look brilliant, as this breezy living area proves. Here, the windows meet the skylight for maximum light potential, while the lines of the doors subtly mirror those of the ceiling panes above, so the space feels perfectly tied together.
Plan a chic skylight with these ideas
Give mealtimes a view
Think about how your French windows will be used day-to-day, and not necessarily only in the summer. If you’re planning an open-plan kitchen, locating your dining area by a set of French windows means you can enjoy an outdoors-indoors feel at mealtimes, even when it’s too cold to fling open the doors.
Think about how your French windows will be used day-to-day, and not necessarily only in the summer. If you’re planning an open-plan kitchen, locating your dining area by a set of French windows means you can enjoy an outdoors-indoors feel at mealtimes, even when it’s too cold to fling open the doors.
Think small
Don’t assume French windows only work leading onto large gardens from large rooms. A modest set of doors can instantly create a cottagey, homely vibe, as seen with this simple patio. The doors make a small seating area ultra-inviting and easier to access, so far more likely to be used for breakfasts on sunny mornings.
Don’t assume French windows only work leading onto large gardens from large rooms. A modest set of doors can instantly create a cottagey, homely vibe, as seen with this simple patio. The doors make a small seating area ultra-inviting and easier to access, so far more likely to be used for breakfasts on sunny mornings.
Consider black and industrial
This cool wall of black French windows makes a bigger style statement than more conventional white. It also complements the industrial vibe of the open-plan living space – Crittall-style metal windows, featuring checkerboard panes of glass, have a factory-esque feel.
Before you shop for your doors, consider which style of window you love – single pane or multiple; modern or traditional.
This cool wall of black French windows makes a bigger style statement than more conventional white. It also complements the industrial vibe of the open-plan living space – Crittall-style metal windows, featuring checkerboard panes of glass, have a factory-esque feel.
Before you shop for your doors, consider which style of window you love – single pane or multiple; modern or traditional.
Try the rule of three
If installing an entire wall of glass feels too big a building job, installing multiple sets of French windows could be a smart alternative (especially if you can adapt existing windows).
In this gorgeous white kitchen-diner, the three separate openings work brilliantly, framing the garden and letting light flood in. Don’t forget, though, that all replacement glazing must comply with building regulations.
If installing an entire wall of glass feels too big a building job, installing multiple sets of French windows could be a smart alternative (especially if you can adapt existing windows).
In this gorgeous white kitchen-diner, the three separate openings work brilliantly, framing the garden and letting light flood in. Don’t forget, though, that all replacement glazing must comply with building regulations.
Go Georgian
Georgian-style doors with multiple panes are a truly timeless look, especially in period properties, and give rooms an elegant, conservatory feel.
Here, the box hedge and wrought iron garden furniture finishes the country manor look. If your budget is tight, shop around for similar doors ready-made.
Find out the secrets of Georgian homes
Georgian-style doors with multiple panes are a truly timeless look, especially in period properties, and give rooms an elegant, conservatory feel.
Here, the box hedge and wrought iron garden furniture finishes the country manor look. If your budget is tight, shop around for similar doors ready-made.
Find out the secrets of Georgian homes
Play with the warmth of wood
Don’t automatically plump for plain white frames. These wooden French windows add warmth, style and character to the living room, and cleverly echo the wooden CD shelves.
Installing small windows across the top of the doors is also worth thinking about: not only do they add extra light, they can provide ventilation on those days when you don’t want to unlock the doors.
Don’t automatically plump for plain white frames. These wooden French windows add warmth, style and character to the living room, and cleverly echo the wooden CD shelves.
Installing small windows across the top of the doors is also worth thinking about: not only do they add extra light, they can provide ventilation on those days when you don’t want to unlock the doors.
Be inventive
A minimal wall of sliding glass isn’t the only way to get the wow factor in a designer home. In this beautiful light-filled building, a series of adjacent wooden doors look seriously stylish, modern and characterful – and are an integral part of the overall architecture.
A minimal wall of sliding glass isn’t the only way to get the wow factor in a designer home. In this beautiful light-filled building, a series of adjacent wooden doors look seriously stylish, modern and characterful – and are an integral part of the overall architecture.
Double up
Want to cover up your French windows, whether for privacy, warmth or shade from the sun in south-facing rooms? This home owner has added charm to plain glazed doors with a set of wooden shutters. The result is romantic, bohemian and pleasingly individual.
Want to cover up your French windows, whether for privacy, warmth or shade from the sun in south-facing rooms? This home owner has added charm to plain glazed doors with a set of wooden shutters. The result is romantic, bohemian and pleasingly individual.
Pick the right paint
Heritage paints aren’t just for indoors. Painting these French windows a classic grey-green has added an elegant flavour to this conservatory. The leafy hue also helps create a seamless transition from indoors to out.
TELL US…
Have you installed French windows? If so, what do you love about them? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Heritage paints aren’t just for indoors. Painting these French windows a classic grey-green has added an elegant flavour to this conservatory. The leafy hue also helps create a seamless transition from indoors to out.
TELL US…
Have you installed French windows? If so, what do you love about them? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
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We made the 'black and industrial' stunning steel doors you see above, if you need more information please visit our website www.clementwindows.co.uk
I think bi-folds are going to go out of fashion soon and everyone will be ripping them out as they did the sliding patio doors of the 80s. We don't have the weather for bi-folds in the UK so you end up being freezing whilst you are supposed to be enjoying the seamless inside outside experience. I don't think bi-folds can compare in their elegance and timeless appeal to french doors especially if you have other Georgian or Victorian windows in the house.