Inspiring Skylights, Glass Ceilings & Angled Windows
Scale back your lighting and give your home a natural glow with oversized glass punctures in surprising spots
Forget the aspect of your home – any property can be bathed in light. With a little creative thinking (and the help of a good designer and glazier) your home can be transformed by modern skylights, expansive windows or glass ceilings that add unique character. Take inspiration from these spectacular, light-filled spaces.
Outside in
While traditional skylights are small, functional and rather uninspiring, modern roof lights are anything but.
A large roof light and a wall of glass (seen below) ensure this expat’s kitchen stays bright and airy on the grimmest of days. No doubt the houseplants are loving the light too.
While traditional skylights are small, functional and rather uninspiring, modern roof lights are anything but.
A large roof light and a wall of glass (seen below) ensure this expat’s kitchen stays bright and airy on the grimmest of days. No doubt the houseplants are loving the light too.
Circles of life
Who said skylights have to be square? The ‘sky bubbles’ in this contemporary home add a touch of whimsy as circles of light play on the floor.
Find an architect to design your home
Who said skylights have to be square? The ‘sky bubbles’ in this contemporary home add a touch of whimsy as circles of light play on the floor.
Find an architect to design your home
A single, large skylight is another option. This amazing circular skylight, positioned over a two-storey atrium in a kitchen, brings in an abundance of light.
Meanwhile, the large round light fitting above the table is a perfect match for the stunning skylight beyond.
Note: Concerned about skylights bringing in too much light? Retractable awnings and remote-controlled shades are popular options, or consider self-tinting glass that adjusts automatically to changing light conditions.
Note: Concerned about skylights bringing in too much light? Retractable awnings and remote-controlled shades are popular options, or consider self-tinting glass that adjusts automatically to changing light conditions.
Private screening
This luxurious dressing room benefits from a roof feature that lets in the light while retaining privacy and adding glamour…
This luxurious dressing room benefits from a roof feature that lets in the light while retaining privacy and adding glamour…
… much as the stunning skylight screen does in this contemporary kitchen.
New levels
Skylights are only one option. Consider installing windows with wow factor instead. If you have the luxury of height, make the most of your extra wall space by installing floor-to-ceiling windows, as in this home.
Skylights are only one option. Consider installing windows with wow factor instead. If you have the luxury of height, make the most of your extra wall space by installing floor-to-ceiling windows, as in this home.
Right angle
Try thinking outside the square when it comes to your windows. The angled windows in this bedroom make the most of the space while framing the blue sky beyond … a perfect match for the walls within.
Try thinking outside the square when it comes to your windows. The angled windows in this bedroom make the most of the space while framing the blue sky beyond … a perfect match for the walls within.
All out
And why stop at skylights or windows? A glass ceiling is a striking feature in this kitchen extension…
Take a look at these 7 stunning ceiling designs
And why stop at skylights or windows? A glass ceiling is a striking feature in this kitchen extension…
Take a look at these 7 stunning ceiling designs
… and there’s no need to stop there, either, as this spectacular ‘glass box’ proves.
Tip: So much glass can be cold and lack sound protection. Consider double- or even triple-glazing glass to improve the heat and sound insulation.
Tip: So much glass can be cold and lack sound protection. Consider double- or even triple-glazing glass to improve the heat and sound insulation.
Warm glow
Skylights need not be clinical. The fanned timber battens surrounding the skylights in this dining space are spectacular.
Skylights need not be clinical. The fanned timber battens surrounding the skylights in this dining space are spectacular.
Wood and glass have been used to stunning effect again here in this farmhouse renovation.
What a bathroom. It’s too good to not take a second look!
Pop top
This home turns the skylight on its head, with slim glass windows letting light in below the ceiling.
This home turns the skylight on its head, with slim glass windows letting light in below the ceiling.
The sky’s the limit
Or, of course, you could go all out and remove the glass altogether, as in this home. It’s not quite as open as it looks though – this is in fact a sliding glass roof light that opens up completely at the touch of a button to give its owners the best of both worlds. Bravo.
Read more:
Design Workshop: How to Borrow Light from Outside
6 Atriums That Inspire Calm, Breezy Living
Tell us:
Have you used glass creatively in your home? Tell us how, or post a picture in the Comments below.
Or, of course, you could go all out and remove the glass altogether, as in this home. It’s not quite as open as it looks though – this is in fact a sliding glass roof light that opens up completely at the touch of a button to give its owners the best of both worlds. Bravo.
Read more:
Design Workshop: How to Borrow Light from Outside
6 Atriums That Inspire Calm, Breezy Living
Tell us:
Have you used glass creatively in your home? Tell us how, or post a picture in the Comments below.
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Glare becomes increasingly a problem as we age past around 50, so in brightly lit spaces it is important to arrange furniture so one is not facing the bright sun (or reflections).
we're 70/71 yrs old -- no "bright sun" under an oak hammock- that's why we got the solatubes & no "reflections" from a solatube - the light is diffused from cathedral ceilings throughout the entire greatroom