Windows That Expose Your Bathroom to Light Without Exposing You
Enjoy the best of both worlds in your bathroom with window tricks that give you privacy as well as the views and natural light you crave
Dominic Bagnato
19 February 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. Director at Bagnato Architects. I have a passion for architecture and building, and I love creating spaces that are well planned and simple, using natural materials to create warmth and luxury.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Director at Bagnato Architects. I have a passion for... More
Bathrooms have evolved to such an extent that they are no longer considered utilitarian rooms just for maintaining hygiene – most of us now aspire to a bathroom that feels like a haven worthy of a five-star resort, and why shouldn’t we? The glamorous minimalist bathrooms we see in magazines usually have large picture windows where modesty seems to have been thrown out with the bath water, but there’s no need to compromise on privacy if you’d love to open your bathroom to the outdoors. These inspiring bathrooms provide all the amenities we seek, but also the opportunity to enjoy light and views via cleverly designed window details … all without strutting your stuff to the neighbours.
Unorthodox window shapes
By rising up from the floor and continuing across the ceiling, this window manages to provide tantalising views of the landscape and sky without putting privacy in jeopardy. Light enters different parts of the bathroom as the sun moves across the sky, creating interesting shadows as well as a light-bathed interior.
By rising up from the floor and continuing across the ceiling, this window manages to provide tantalising views of the landscape and sky without putting privacy in jeopardy. Light enters different parts of the bathroom as the sun moves across the sky, creating interesting shadows as well as a light-bathed interior.
Internal courtyard
If your bathroom has plenty of space, but lacks an external wall that could be turned into a wall of windows, why not design a private outdoor sanctuary that invites light to enter from above? It may seem indulgent, but an oasis like this one is like having your own private day retreat.
TIP: Don’t have space to spare in your bathroom? Consider turning that spare bedroom into a beautiful bathroom instead.
How to convert a bedroom into a bathroom
If your bathroom has plenty of space, but lacks an external wall that could be turned into a wall of windows, why not design a private outdoor sanctuary that invites light to enter from above? It may seem indulgent, but an oasis like this one is like having your own private day retreat.
TIP: Don’t have space to spare in your bathroom? Consider turning that spare bedroom into a beautiful bathroom instead.
How to convert a bedroom into a bathroom
Window film
There are many types of adhesive films that can now be used on different-shaped windows, giving you the chance to control how much of your window is transparent and how much is obscured. The films come in different grades and patterns to suit any bathroom style.
There are many types of adhesive films that can now be used on different-shaped windows, giving you the chance to control how much of your window is transparent and how much is obscured. The films come in different grades and patterns to suit any bathroom style.
This bathroom recess invites an abundance of light via the large, glazed windows. Film adhered to the bottom half of the windows ensures privacy without interrupting the views above.
Blinds
With views this amazing, nothing but a fully glazed fixed window would have done justice to this luxury bathroom in Sydney’s Vaucluse. Privacy isn’t an issue by day, but when the bathroom is lit for all to see at night, roller blinds can preserve a bather’s modesty. Ventilation is achieved via the slender, sashless window to the left, providing minimal interruption to the view.
With views this amazing, nothing but a fully glazed fixed window would have done justice to this luxury bathroom in Sydney’s Vaucluse. Privacy isn’t an issue by day, but when the bathroom is lit for all to see at night, roller blinds can preserve a bather’s modesty. Ventilation is achieved via the slender, sashless window to the left, providing minimal interruption to the view.
Louvered windows
Louvered glazed panels are a great way to create a large window, but are also a means of controlling airflow. If privacy is not an issue, you can flood the interior with natural light via fully transparent louvres while enjoying the cool breezes.
Louvered glazed panels are a great way to create a large window, but are also a means of controlling airflow. If privacy is not an issue, you can flood the interior with natural light via fully transparent louvres while enjoying the cool breezes.
If privacy is an issue, the answer is white translucent glass. You can still control the ventilation but also the amount of transparency by adjusting the louvres to the angle that suits you.
TIP: If you don’t have a spare wall in which you can incorporate a large floor-to-ceiling window, consider putting one of the shower cubicle walls to good use. Just be sure to choose a water-resistant material for the window frame, such as aluminium.
TIP: If you don’t have a spare wall in which you can incorporate a large floor-to-ceiling window, consider putting one of the shower cubicle walls to good use. Just be sure to choose a water-resistant material for the window frame, such as aluminium.
Low-set windows
A great way to enjoy the outside garden but also enjoy your privacy is to incorporate a long and narrow floor window that allows the bathroom to extend to the outside world. In a long bathroom such as this, the low-set windows not only maximise the light coming in, but also serve to make the space look bigger.
More floor-level windows
A great way to enjoy the outside garden but also enjoy your privacy is to incorporate a long and narrow floor window that allows the bathroom to extend to the outside world. In a long bathroom such as this, the low-set windows not only maximise the light coming in, but also serve to make the space look bigger.
More floor-level windows
Green wall
A bathroom located beside a solid outside wall can easily incorporate floor-to-ceiling windows, and turning that wall into a green wall will make bathing infinitely more relaxing. If your bathroom opens to the neighbour’s fence rather than a brick wall, consider erecting one. Just be sure it meets local council regulations and your neighbours’ approval before getting carried away with the bricks and mortar!
Creating a vertical garden
A bathroom located beside a solid outside wall can easily incorporate floor-to-ceiling windows, and turning that wall into a green wall will make bathing infinitely more relaxing. If your bathroom opens to the neighbour’s fence rather than a brick wall, consider erecting one. Just be sure it meets local council regulations and your neighbours’ approval before getting carried away with the bricks and mortar!
Creating a vertical garden
Internal light well
If you’re renovating or building a home from scratch, think about incorporating an internal light well to provide natural light in multiple rooms around the house. This one also allows for a large transparent – but private – window to the bathroom. Showcasing large leafy plants against a white background creates a work of art.
If you’re renovating or building a home from scratch, think about incorporating an internal light well to provide natural light in multiple rooms around the house. This one also allows for a large transparent – but private – window to the bathroom. Showcasing large leafy plants against a white background creates a work of art.
Outdoor screens
Outdoor screens are a great way to filter light into your bathroom while still protecting your modesty. This contemporary bathroom has the luxury of a large sliding door and window that open to a balcony. To prevent prying eyes from peering in, a laser-cut screen on the balcony face is punctuated with leaf-like motifs that create a dappled effect. Light and glimpses of the outside world come in, without giving too much away.
Outdoor screens are a great way to filter light into your bathroom while still protecting your modesty. This contemporary bathroom has the luxury of a large sliding door and window that open to a balcony. To prevent prying eyes from peering in, a laser-cut screen on the balcony face is punctuated with leaf-like motifs that create a dappled effect. Light and glimpses of the outside world come in, without giving too much away.
Glass interlayers
There are many glazing types that allow you to have large walls of windows without the outside world seeing you in your birthday suit. One of the most common is the use of interlayers between two sheets of glass. You can sandwich virtually anything between the panes, from rice paper to coloured plastics. A white plastic interlayer gives the impression of a film, and different grades allow various levels of transparency.
YOUR SAY
Do you have a large window in your bathroom? Upload a photo in the Comments.
MORE
Window Shopping: Creative Window Designs for Every Style of Home
Window Wizardry: 7 Clever Approaches to Privacy
Block Out Thy Neighbour: Privacy Plants for the Modern Home
There are many glazing types that allow you to have large walls of windows without the outside world seeing you in your birthday suit. One of the most common is the use of interlayers between two sheets of glass. You can sandwich virtually anything between the panes, from rice paper to coloured plastics. A white plastic interlayer gives the impression of a film, and different grades allow various levels of transparency.
YOUR SAY
Do you have a large window in your bathroom? Upload a photo in the Comments.
MORE
Window Shopping: Creative Window Designs for Every Style of Home
Window Wizardry: 7 Clever Approaches to Privacy
Block Out Thy Neighbour: Privacy Plants for the Modern Home
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My ensuite window's view while I'm sitting in my freestanding bath (please excuse my feet, this photo wasn't taken intending for Houzz). All looked so serene until I stand up and see all my neighours' houses. Considering putting up frosted film on lower half of the windows but it will lose a lot of sky when down here. Already have sheer blinds but it's still too see-through at night time. :(
Glass bricks are nasty!