Circle or arched windows are an easy way to think outside the box and break up the right angles and straight lines of your home. Their unexpected shapes have a softening effect, and they provide distinctive focal points. Keep reading to find out how these types of windows are being used in contemporary homes.
It’s not as if round or arched windows are new concepts. From portholes to the Colosseum in Rome, windows in these shapes have been around for centuries. What’s new is the way they’re being added to homes as casually as double-hung windows. The reason for this? We think it has a lot to do with the rise of a design ethos that’s rooted in nature. Trends like biophilia and even the latest iteration of boho — call it boho modern, boho chic or California casual — are putting a renewed focus on the outside world.
Biophilia focuses on bringing elements of the natural world into the built environment through plants, views of nature and more. Boho puts an emphasis on layering natural materials and organic shapes to create a richly textured environment that’s complex and dynamic, like a scene from nature itself. Round windows fit both these approaches. Their shape represents a break from the straight lines of the manmade world, while their function serves to bring in natural light and views of the outdoors. Arched and round windows are the perfect way to create a contrast that invigorates our sense and looks beautiful. This is why we think these windows are such a hit in contemporary architecture. Next up: How to incorporate them into your home!
Depending on the size and composition — an arch can be made with a single window or created through combining several different windows — there are all sorts of ways to incorporate this shape into your home. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Cara Fox, the designer behind this Utah home by The Fox Group
Where to place an arch? The answer is simple — anywhere, really! An arch can make a dramatic statement in a two-story living room, or it can be a charming addition to your bathroom. That said, there are certain places where its shape really makes sense:
The pivot door (pictured right) flanked by complementary curving windows creates a delightful focal point in this bedroom.
Next up: Get the details on circle windows!
So much more than a nautical cliché, round windows are a charming way to punctuate your home’s façade, and they’re just as nice from the inside because of the way they frame the light. Here are a few fun ways to integrate a circle window into your home.
Whether you’re looking for a single circle window or a series of curved shapes to create an arched grouping, there's plenty of room to play with the specialty shaped windows.
Here are a few specialty shapes you’ll want to know about:
Of course, there are plenty of other ways to bring circle and arched windows into your home. For more inspiration, explore their use in traditional architectural styles where these shape figures prominently, like Spanish Colonial Revival, Mission Revival, Queen Anne (Victorian) and French Eclectic.
No matter what window or windows you choose, curves are the perfect way to break your home free from an artificial look. They soften the angles of your home, shape the light and create one-of-a-kind views.
Ready to explore more fresh ideas?
