Renovating
5 Ways to Lighten Up a Room With a Transom Window
Things are looking up! Traditional or modern, decorative or functional, transom windows let the sun shine in
Not sure what a transom window is? Well, it’s the sectional window that sits atop the crossbeam of a door, and sometimes another window. This rectangular or fan-shaped glass panel, used in both interior and exterior architecture and design, allows extra light and ventilation to pour into your home.
So, whether it be modern, traditional, decorative, or functional, here are five ways to incorporate or highlight a transom window in your home.
So, whether it be modern, traditional, decorative, or functional, here are five ways to incorporate or highlight a transom window in your home.
Here, diagonal frames on both rectangular and square transom windows mimic the rays of the sun. The wide transom above the interior door is complemented by smaller square transoms above the exterior windows. These let light flood into the home and add simple yet effective decorative interest to the open spaces.
2. Decorative stained glass
In this traditional kitchen, a simple stained-glass transom window is reminiscent of the Victorian style. As a transitional feature between the interior and exterior of the home, its colours harmonise with the kitchen cabinets inside and the green garden outside.
In this traditional kitchen, a simple stained-glass transom window is reminiscent of the Victorian style. As a transitional feature between the interior and exterior of the home, its colours harmonise with the kitchen cabinets inside and the green garden outside.
Stained-glass transom windows can also be modern and creative. Choose colours and shapes that play up the character and personality of your home and family. An eye-catching transom can soon become a lively talking point for guests.
3. Fanning it out
Transoms are traditionally fan-shaped. Intricate shapes and rounded corners on a wide or narrow transom window can soften the architectural forms in your home, as it does here.
Transoms are traditionally fan-shaped. Intricate shapes and rounded corners on a wide or narrow transom window can soften the architectural forms in your home, as it does here.
In this home a semi-circle transom window fits perfectly within an arch above a doorway. With the doors open, the transom maximises the height and space of the thoroughfare. And with the doors closed, the transom allows light to filter between rooms.
4. Playful patterns
Leadlight glass in transom windows gives you the opportunity to think about pattern. You may consider symmetry and geometry in relation to the other architectural forms of the home. This diamond-like tiled pattern, while still highly structured, softens the strong square lines of the doorways and ceiling recess.
Leadlight glass in transom windows gives you the opportunity to think about pattern. You may consider symmetry and geometry in relation to the other architectural forms of the home. This diamond-like tiled pattern, while still highly structured, softens the strong square lines of the doorways and ceiling recess.
Likewise in this transom, swooping and interlocking half circles add curvilinear forms to the entrance of the home that are in contrast to the square tiled floor and geometric details on the door.
5. Let the air flow
And, of course, transom windows don’t just have to let the light through – they can let fresh air in, too. Glass louvres placed above sliding doors maximise light, space and airflow in this modern living area; and depending on the weather they can be closed or opened in conjunction or opposition to the sliding doors.
And, of course, transom windows don’t just have to let the light through – they can let fresh air in, too. Glass louvres placed above sliding doors maximise light, space and airflow in this modern living area; and depending on the weather they can be closed or opened in conjunction or opposition to the sliding doors.
Wooden-framed casement windows offer a more traditional transom look. They can be hinged to open upwards or downwards in order to direct airflow through the room.
TELL US
Do you have transom windows in your house? Let us know in the comments section below, and please include some fabulous high-resolution photographs.
TELL US
Do you have transom windows in your house? Let us know in the comments section below, and please include some fabulous high-resolution photographs.
Wooden frames divide this glass transom into rectangular sections. Here, the transom visually blends with other geometric architectural forms in the house, including the horizontal backs of the dining room chairs.