Ribbon Windows: The Long and the Short of It
Stretch out with horizontal ribbon windows, ideal for elongating a space and letting the light pour in
Ribbon windows – with long horizontal and short vertical frames – are a great way to emphasise the shape of any room, enhance your view to outside, and let natural light flood in. They bring a modern touch to the kitchen, bedroom, office or living area and can double as a splashback or bookshelf, or even take the place of artwork or other decorative features. Let’s take a look through the ribbon windows of today.
In the kitchen
Ribbon windows are a great way to enhance your view of the outdoors. Their elongated shape affords uninterrupted panoramic vision and lets plenty of natural light in – illuminating benchtops, workspaces and dining areas.
Ribbon windows are a great way to enhance your view of the outdoors. Their elongated shape affords uninterrupted panoramic vision and lets plenty of natural light in – illuminating benchtops, workspaces and dining areas.
Behind the kitchen sink, benchtop and stovetop, ribbon windows can double as an easy-to-clean splashback. In this kitchen, cabinets above the benchtop provide for additional lighting and an extractor, without interrupting the open aesthetic of the ribbon windows.
See more inspirational images of window splashbacks
See more inspirational images of window splashbacks
Even if your house is right on the boundary and you’re in close quarters to your neighbours, a thin ribbon window will still allow light, while maintaining your privacy. Play with colours and frames to make them a decorative feature.
In the living area
Who needs artwork when you can create a panoramic picture on your wall by incorporating a ribbon window? Although in this room, they have gone for both – with a ribbon window providing a view of the changing seasons outside, and as a dominant aspect for arranging objects along and on the wall.
The room has a sense of being curated, with the view beyond the ribbon window being the central masterpiece.
Who needs artwork when you can create a panoramic picture on your wall by incorporating a ribbon window? Although in this room, they have gone for both – with a ribbon window providing a view of the changing seasons outside, and as a dominant aspect for arranging objects along and on the wall.
The room has a sense of being curated, with the view beyond the ribbon window being the central masterpiece.
This ribbon window takes a turn as it connects with a skinny vertical window at the corner of the room. This L-shaped window allows extra light into the room, while opaque glass on the horizontal strip protects the occupants’ privacy.
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In the bedroom
In this contemporary bedroom with highly graphic wallpaper, a large ribbon window is a breath of fresh air. It provides a visual rest and brings uniform light across the master bed. The black frame accentuates the composition of the view outside.
In this contemporary bedroom with highly graphic wallpaper, a large ribbon window is a breath of fresh air. It provides a visual rest and brings uniform light across the master bed. The black frame accentuates the composition of the view outside.
Recessing your ribbon window gives you a usable ledge to display items such as books, pot plants and other knick-knacks. It saves on additional furniture and valuable floor space, and is a visually interesting touch in any room.
If you’re close to your neighbours, then having a slightly higher and deeply recessed ribbon window means that vision into the room from the outside is limited.
If you’re close to your neighbours, then having a slightly higher and deeply recessed ribbon window means that vision into the room from the outside is limited.
In the office
Brighten up your days in the office with a ribbon window running the length of your desk. Lots of natural illumination will help your sight and reduce the need for additional lighting, with perhaps the exception of a single table lamp or two.
It will also mean you can declutter your desk by using the internal ledge as a shelf to display pot plants and other small items. And with a view to inspire, you may be more productive than ever before.
Boost Your Creativity With a Decluttered Desk
Brighten up your days in the office with a ribbon window running the length of your desk. Lots of natural illumination will help your sight and reduce the need for additional lighting, with perhaps the exception of a single table lamp or two.
It will also mean you can declutter your desk by using the internal ledge as a shelf to display pot plants and other small items. And with a view to inspire, you may be more productive than ever before.
Boost Your Creativity With a Decluttered Desk
On the stairwell
In this multi-level townhouse in Vancouver, Canada, a ribbon window on the stairwell is a great visual feature with a view to the garden outside. There is no need for artwork or photographs when you’ve carefully crafted your outdoor area to offer a view like this.
Window Shopping: Creative Window Designs for Every Style of Home
In this multi-level townhouse in Vancouver, Canada, a ribbon window on the stairwell is a great visual feature with a view to the garden outside. There is no need for artwork or photographs when you’ve carefully crafted your outdoor area to offer a view like this.
Window Shopping: Creative Window Designs for Every Style of Home
From the outside
As well as illuminating your interiors and making a strong internal statement, ribbon windows can be a striking addition to your facade.
Recessing your ribbon window externally can also provide a functional display ledge when used horizontally.
Your turn
Do you have ribbon windows at home? Tell us what you love about them in the Comments below, like this story and save the images. Join the conversation.
More
Keen the push the boundaries further and blur your windows and walls? Read how to Lighten and Brighten Your Home With Glass Bricks
As well as illuminating your interiors and making a strong internal statement, ribbon windows can be a striking addition to your facade.
Recessing your ribbon window externally can also provide a functional display ledge when used horizontally.
Your turn
Do you have ribbon windows at home? Tell us what you love about them in the Comments below, like this story and save the images. Join the conversation.
More
Keen the push the boundaries further and blur your windows and walls? Read how to Lighten and Brighten Your Home With Glass Bricks
Modernist architect Le Corbusier first recommended the use of ribbon windows in his 1920s manifesto Five Points of Architecture. Long strips of windows, he proposed, would illuminate spaces equally well.
Ready to refresh your home’s windows? Find a professional supplier near you on Houzz for expert advice