Should I replace built in bookshelves with windows?

7 years ago

This is my family room with north facing french doors. The sun is shining and this is the brightest this room will ever get. I usually need to turn on the lights in here because it is so dark. We are redoing the siding on our house and have the opportunity to remove the bookcases and add windows of any size. One of the bookcases was built on an angle to accommodate an older style tv so it looks a little off balance. These windows would be east facing and we would have a view of the side of our neighbors house. I would love to add extra sunlight, but I don't know if this would be bad for resale (should we ever decide to move). Someone may want to use that wall space for a tv or storage space. It's hard to know too how much extra light we would end up having with windows but I thought it was worth considering.

Would you rather have extra sunlight or the storage shelves? Thoughts?

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Comments (4)

PRO
Design Directives, LLC
7 years ago
Definitely YES! I think it would really open up the room to have windows beside the fireplace. If the view isn't to your liking, you could use light filtering window coverings or shutters to give you light and privacy.
PRO
Michael Design
7 years ago
Absolutely. Install windows in the upper portion and leave shelves or cupboards in the lower section. Use 36" above finished floor as a rough guide for the upper lower split. You could even make the windows higher than normal - almost transoms (24"square or 30" square set the head to 4" below your dropped beams) - if the view isn't worthwhile. But the additional light will transform that room.
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jck910
7 years ago
Agree with add windows. We doubled the size of the original windows on the sides of our FP years ago and it did wonders for the room
PRO
Coco Maison Design
7 years ago
We agree, adding windows will help the space and add more light. We think it is a great idea. Below is a living room we designed for a client, with windows on each side of the fireplace. Notice how bright it is?
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