19 Dream Window Views
Lay your eyes on gorgeous views made even more exquisite with perfectly designed windows
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Any real estate broker can tell you that the most sought-after feature of a home is a view. Gazing into the distance can provide us with a sense of calm and invigorate us, increasing our feeling of well-being. It's hard to imagine improving on beautiful natural settings or panoramic views of a city, but the windows in each of these rooms make their drop-dead gorgeous views of nature or metropolis even better. See why.
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An ocean view is the most prized view of all. We can let our gaze fall on ever-shifting shades of blue and green for a sense of calm and serenity.
On stormy days, the energy of the ocean swells and the action of the waves is an awe-inspiring sight. Floor-to-ceiling windows that stay out of the way are a great choice.
On stormy days, the energy of the ocean swells and the action of the waves is an awe-inspiring sight. Floor-to-ceiling windows that stay out of the way are a great choice.
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This window, which follows the line of the vaulted ceiling, perfectly frames a stunning tree. The tree acts as an organic frame for the distant view, giving it even more interest than if it were unobstructed.
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It seems only right that this majestic mountain view is framed by a huge window and massive beams outside the upper corners. The window at the top echoes the shape of the mountain peaks. The visual weight of the window's architecture fits the mass of the mountains.
A city view has its own appeal. In the evening with all the city lights, it feels positively magical. The divisions in these windows give a vertical orientation to the upper windows, which is just right for highlighting the soaring shapes of the skyscrapers.
| Let's face it, a city view from up high is fantastic any time of day. And with windows all the way down to the floor, it helps if you aren't afraid of heights. |
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by Hufft Projects
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| When everything you see is worth looking at — trees, pond and rolling lawns — it's hard to beat floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows. The furniture is pulled in far enough from the windows to allow people to walk around it and stand right by the window for the full effect. |
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| This is one of the most beautiful views I've seen from a bedroom. Wouldn't it be hard to draw those draperies closed? The giant panes of glass, with no mullions to divide them, give you the maximum view of coastline, ocean and sky. |
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Bay windows let you walk out into the scenery, giving you a 180-degree view. They make a big ocean view even bigger.
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| This inwardly curved wall of windows is the opposite of a bay window but still offers an expansive view of the ocean. It may be that there are other homes to either side of this. If so, this creates privacy, blocking the view to either side while leaving the ocean view open. |
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| Corner windows with no vertical supporting frame at the corner offer a contemporary way to get that deeper view traditionally provided by bay windows. |
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An angled corner window makes this spectacular coast view even wider. Glass all the way to the floor allows you to enjoy the uninterrupted sight of brush and rocks all the way down to the waves crashing onto the shore. Low benches along the window provide a perfect place for contemplating the movement of the waves.
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| This is another great example of corner windows maximizing the view of hills and trees. What a nice spot for dining — everyone has a view. |
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| Although this view is unobstructed all the way to the horizon, it is the stunning combination of the unusual, formal window shape and the graceful, organic curves of the tree that makes this view breathtaking. |
| A beautifully shaped window does so much to make a beautiful view even more wonderful. The height and arched shape of this window bring your eye up to enjoy the clouds while the horizontal lines of the window's muntins capture the long, low lines of the land seen in the distance. |
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Windows framing a view of some nearby, interestingly shaped trees are just part of the strategy here. A reflecting pool doubles the image, making a beautiful view even better.
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| The shape and orientation of windows can put focus on a particular aspect of the view. Tall, vertically oriented windows are a great way to show off a forest view, dramatizing the height of the trees. An open stairwell is the perfect spot for opening up a wall to this stunning winter scene. |
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| Just as the vertical orientation of the windows in the last photo enhanced the view of tall trees, this long, horizontal window frames the view to highlight the surface of the lake and the line of trees on the far shore. |
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| For this endless ocean view, instead of the windows going floor to ceiling, the designer chose to pull the focus tight by using a smaller window. The minimally framed window creates the look of art on the wall and brings your attention to the balance of sea and sky and the subtle gradient of color. |
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This wide-open view of a grassy plain with hills in the distance framed in a playful color. I wonder what the view is like through that telescope?
Tell us: Have you made the most of a lovely view from your home? Please share your best photo below!
More: Get inspired by more dream spaces
Tell us: Have you made the most of a lovely view from your home? Please share your best photo below!
More: Get inspired by more dream spaces
Ideabook published on July 3, 2012.
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Charmean Neithart
smoore -- yes, super lucky.
patricia beharry -- Ah, but you've forgotten the fun of watching for dolphins and whales, and the pelicans swooping by. The sky changes continually as does the color of the water, its wave action and so on. An ocean view is ever-changing and mesmerizing.
hometipster -- What an unusual way to frame views with all of those oval windows. Truly unique. When I was a kid I spent hours and hours working on designs for a round house. I loved the look. The reason we don't see more round houses or rooms or windows is because of the cost of building them. It's just harder and more expensive to build a curve. That's a shame, because curves in architecture add such grace and beauty.
lindley2616 -- You nailed it, and millions of beach-goers agree with you. :0)
You are right, for some, yes it can get old. I have heard of people in Hawaii that suffer that same thing you wrote from not seeing land they can actually get a phobia.
Also What some don't realize, is the winter can be sad, lonely and a bit depressing to look out at the cold grey sky, dark water and ice layers that build up higher and higher on the water. But then spring and summer arrive and it's beautiful and blue all over again.
Not to mention the ocean salt in the air can be hard on your items and sand get's into everything!! We have friends that have a place on a lake and they are forever cleaning sand out. When you sit near a window that's opened, you can feel light wisp of sand blowing in, you see it lightly in your lap and on the table, the door and window tracks fill with it. And there are always spiders - lots of them.
There always has been and always will be a fascination and love for the water. It still takes your breath away, relaxes you and helps to find a peace, regardless of how long you've been there.
To some, perhaps the grass isn't always greener on the other side but I think many say it's worth a try even for a while.
The photos are lovely! ...and yes smoore, there are some very lucky, lucky homeowners.
@kwbaylis. There are 'artificial windows' which are basically window-sized high resolution computer/TV screens. You may program whatever view you like at any time, even dynamic real-time ones. But these artificial/imported views don't come cheap.