Perhaps you love the laid-back charm of a beach cottage. Maybe the formal stature and ornamentation of an elegant Colonial or Victorian home speak to you. What you may not know is that these architectural styles share a common element — oval windows.
The gentle curvature of these oblong windows complements a wide range of homes, adding statement style. Are you looking to instill striking character and soft refinement in your structure? There are a few things you should know about how oval windows can enhance your home.
Oval Windows 101
Oval windows are specialty design elements characterized by a distinctive, elliptical shape. Offering a unique way to customize your structure, oval-shaped windows can serve both practical needs and aesthetic preferences.
Available in a range of sizes, historic architectural styles often use these windows. They are found in Baroque, Jacobean, Victorian, and Colonial Revival styles that prize ornamentation. You’ll also see them in farmhouse and cottage style homes, adding a graceful, decorative counterpoint to rustic elements.
Functionally, oval windows are ideal for spaces incompatible with standard, rectangular windows. Gables or other areas lacking square angles, such as in stairwells, are common locations for oval windows. However, you can place them anywhere to add natural light, create a design statement, or highlight architectural features.
Incorporating Oval Windows in Your Home Design
When adding oval windows to your home, placement must be intentional. The relative rarity of this window shape ensures standout style that draws the eye.
You want it to elevate your design, rather than creating an eyesore. There are several ways to incorporate exterior oval windows that are purposeful and elegant.
Creative Kitchen Concepts
Kitchen spaces often feature many straight lines. Between cabinetry, appliances, and counter surfaces for food prep and seating, pleasing curvature is nowhere to be seen.
An oval window adds the soothing counterpoint of a rounded shape that makes your kitchen space feel comfortable and inviting. Contrasting design elements also elevate sophistication and create a vibrant, eclectic ambiance.
If neighboring houses are too close for comfort, oval windows placed higher on the wall can preserve privacy while increasing natural light in your space. An over-cabinet placement is ideal for tall walls in small kitchens, allowing you to devote maximum wall space to cabinets while still enjoying natural illumination.
Luxe Bedroom and Living Room Spaces
Bedrooms and living rooms are made for relaxing and, in some cases, reconnecting with loved ones. Any lounge space is enhanced by the addition of design elements that simultaneously heighten comfort and visual interest.
It’s common for such rooms to feature multiple windows, providing ample natural light and offering a view of the outdoors. Installing an oval window amid sashes and sliders creates a focal point for the room. It also sets the stage for unique light patterns, depending on the time of day and where the window is placed.
Beautiful Bathroom Designs
If you have a spacious bathroom, your options for window type and placement are relatively unfettered. However, bathrooms are often among the smallest rooms in a house.
In addition to cramped square footage, they may suffer from odd angles or intrusive soffits that make it hard to install windows. Instead of opting for the smallest square or rectangular window, consider an oval. This shape works well in awkward spaces, letting in light without compromising privacy.
Striking Stairwell Additions
The slant of a staircase can make it difficult to install a standard rectangular window. Odd sizes or square windows could work, but ovals offer an ideal solution. Not only do they allow you to maximize illumination, but they also provide breathtaking peekaboo moments of the outside world as you travel between upper and lower stories.
Attractive Attic Upgrades
Attic spaces are notoriously hard to work with because of sloped ceilings that make certain design features impractical. The triangular wall space from gable to floor can be especially challenging when installing windows.
This is where oval windows really shine, and why one of the most common places to find them is in attics. They offer the ideal means of getting the most window coverage from a gable wall.
A large window allows natural light to flood into the top story, which won’t supply other window placement options without the addition of dormers. If privacy is paramount, smaller models still increase the amount of light without revealing the interior.
The curvature is also an enchanting addition to attic decor, transforming a rustic space into a dreamy hideaway.
Windows Aren’t Just for Walls
Your front entry is an integral part of the overall curb appeal of your property. You could add traditional touches like carriage-style lights or modern appeal with a trending door color. Either way, elevating your entryway is vital to create a good first impression.
Windows can be a key part of your strategy. You could place them on one or both sides of the door or even add an oval window above your door with a gabled entryway. You can also enhance entry doors themselves.
An oval window door is an attractive addition to Colonial or Victorian home styles, especially when it incorporates stained or etched glass. Cottage or farmhouse styles will feature simpler, more casual designs for an aesthetic that’s relaxed, yet refined.
Preferred Function
Decorative oval windows are traditionally fixed, meaning they don’t open. However, you can get oval windows that open if you opt for customization. There are a couple of functional designs to consider.
The most common opening mechanism is a central pivot, either vertical or horizontal, that allows one side of the window to swing inward while the opposite side swings out. A hinged casement style that opens like a door is also possible, but it’s less practical, since it takes up more space when open.
The Benefits of Professional Installation
Whether you’re adding or replacing a window, odd shapes like oval windows can present design and installation challenges. It’s best to seek professional help from experienced window specialists offering end-to-end services. You’ll gain several desirable benefits in the process.
Guidance From Trusted Design Specialists
Choosing the right windows for your space and ideal placement in your home is a complex and multifaceted undertaking. The right guidance can save you time, money, and hassle.
Start with a free, no-obligation consultation from a trusted window specialist. You’ll have the chance to discuss your goals, preferences, and budget before perusing products or planning a custom design. You can also ask any questions to ensure full understanding.
Once your plan is complete and you sign off on the project, a professional will get your order underway and nail down a delivery schedule for materials. An assigned project manager maintains communication and ensures accuracy in measurements, ordering, and delivery.
From there, you’ll enjoy hassle-free window installation, even with challenging oval windows. Trained installers strive for minimal impact, protecting your home and removing debris when the project is complete.
A Marriage of Function and Aesthetics
There are several practical and aesthetic considerations when installing an attic or living room window or a front door with oval window features. You want premium materials and trusted design and installation professionals by your side.
The right windows meet multiple goals. They provide a beautiful addition to your decor, adding style to your home and a sightline to exterior spaces. With a range of styles, sizes, colors, and other features like muntins or leading, you can truly customize the look of your living spaces.
However, windows are also a functional addition to your structure. They must supply natural light, contribute to a comfortable interior, and maintain security. Modern homeowners also expect energy efficiency.
Guaranteed Satisfaction
Upgrading your home is cause for excitement. The last thing you want is for that feeling of hopeful anticipation to be dashed by subpar workmanship or installation services.
You need a reputable and reliable partner that offers the experience and skill to complete an oval window replacement project without a hitch. Don’t hesitate to discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of different materials and designs.
Make sure you find a company known for following best practices when it comes to quality and efficiency. You want installers who will leave your home looking better than when they arrived.
Most importantly, look for professionals who prioritize customer care and satisfaction. With open communication and extras like lifetime warranties, you can breathe easy, knowing you’re getting the top-tier service you deserve.
Upgrading With Confidence
Both classic and contemporary styles can benefit from the addition of unique elements like oval windows for houses. These distinctive windows add flair to your design and targeted function to your living spaces, all while delivering statement style.
An oval window is more challenging to place and install than a regular window. A trusted local window specialist like Your Window Solutions can guide you through the process with the end-to-end services you need. Contact us now to discuss your upcoming project.
