Window Ideas: Skylights and High Windows

Ample lighting is a critical component of good room design. Skylights and transom windows add valuable natural light for performing household tasks or simply enjoying a good book under soft, unfiltered light.

In this kitchen, a skylight supplements several pendant lights. The window also accentuates the modern angles of the vaulted ceiling. Contrasting paint colors--sage and white--add additional dimension to the ceiling and height to the room.

A skylight bestows extra light on the bathroom without sacrificing privacy. Here, an opening in the shower wall helps move light through the space. Plenty of natural light keeps this modern room bright and airy--and helps with makeup application! With all that light, the bathroom design can afford a few darker elements for contrast, including the shower's dark tile wall and wood built-ins.

This modern white space practically glows, thanks to a high ribbon window. The window's geometric design plays off the clean, angular lines of the open family room. When operable, windows placed high in a room are a valuable source of ventilation, moving hot air out as lower windows let cool air in.

A calm room filled with outdoor light is just the sort of welcome a guest needs. This room shrugs off the usual confining feel of a half-story. The sharply pitched roof gets a lift from two large roof windows that throw light across the room. The Colonial-style grilles add to the room's farmhouse feel.

Love the idea of eating outdoors, but not sure about braving the elements? Combining windows and skylights can give you the best of both worlds. The large grilles make these skylights dynamic architectural elements. Large windows open up the room and balance the heavy feel of other elements, such as the stone and shingled walls.

In this angular, unusual stairwell, triangular skylights and square niches create a playful design. Track lighting shows off the appealing angles and maintains the bright appearance no matter the weather or light. White walls help show off the cherry stairs and railing and the metal banister.

In this Arts and Crafts-style room, a ribbon window acts as a transom over the curved end of a room. Two wide mullions and stylish grids enhance the Mission look of the window. The light it provides gives a bright lift to the earthy darkness and profusion of wood in the room's other elements.

This large, less-traditional farmhouse attic skylight brightens a charming window seat stuffed with homey pillows. A sheer canopy and simple white walls harmonize with the window's treetop view.

Transom windows and a skylight bestow extra light and decorative detail on this open kitchen and family room. A decorative grille heightens the impact of the kitchen skylight, while classic grids on the transom windows in the family room accentuate style. Transom windows are excellent for ventilation, helping to move hot air out of a house.

A Diocletian window above the bed adds high style along with plenty of light. Its high placement atop three small shuttered windows maintains privacy. The window accentuates the architectural planes and fine form of the room's high ceiling. The trim is painted white to contrast with the soothing taupe walls.

Here, modern lines and an angled skylight keep a half-story work space from feeling claustrophobic. Simple white walls help the skylight brighten the space. Along with a large beam, the skylight adds visual interest to its surroundings. The light is positioned to illuminate a large bookshelf, turning the shelving unit into vivid display space.

You wouldn't want a window right above your stove--imagine trying to keep that glass clean--but this kitchen gets loads of light from a ribbon of windows placed high above the range. The light shines directly onto the white beaded board, accentuating the ceiling's lines. It also flows into other rooms through a stunning set of French doors.

Angled skylights make a dining room ceiling glow, turning the peak of the roof into a line of light. Wood planks visually define the windows. Large windows and French doors with transoms work with the skylights to give this dining area the feel of a garden conservatory. Lush foliage, stone floors, and a warm wood-panel roof enhance the look.

This unexpected arrangement of windows highlights a clean, Scandinavian-style space. The divisions between the windows are accentuated by beams that run the length of the ceiling, highlighted by crisp white paint.

Windows keep the light up and the humidity down in this luxurious bathroom with a spa tub. The above-tub windows shed light on a small vanity area, perfect for early-morning prepping. Transom windows above show off the ceiling's striking pitch.

Skylights illuminate this range hood as if they were track lights expertly shining on artwork. The glow imbues the metal with depth and drama. Meanwhile, the ceiling's angles and windows are a work of art in their own right. Paneled-glass cupboards echo the skylight's geometric panes.

A rectangular skylight within a circular tray ceiling adds visual flash to this study. With French doors, windows, and recessed lighting, there's plenty of light to read by. Yellow paint delineates the walls from the detailed white ceiling.

A modern bathroom gains light without giving up privacy by using high windows above the tub. The windows are edged with natural-finish wood in keeping with the bathroom's rustic-yet-modern look. The room's other woody elements include branches used as accessories and twig-shape towel holders.

Square and circular windows mingle to create a stunning centerpiece in this ceiling. The ceiling is paneled in beaded board, with a central beam to hold the ceiling fan. The windows highlight the vaulted ceiling and add an appealing architectural element to the room.

Three skylights fill a serene bathing area with light. The windows' symmetry is echoed in the geometric paneling below. Ceiling skylights can be operable or fixed in a closed position. In a bathroom, operable skylights help to vent humid shower air.

This sunny room is a graceful transition between indoors and out. A stunning triangle window, filled with diamond-shape panes, floods the room with light. Multiple sets of French doors allow fresh air to flow or seal off the room, depending on the weather. Transom windows above the doors turn up the complexity of the room's window design, using small square panels that contrast the rectangles and diamonds seen elsewhere.

This kitchen/dining room shows you don't have to abandon your desire for ample storage space to get great light. A high ribbon window keeps this open room cheery with light. Cabinets below allow for plenty of pantry and dish storage. An Asian-style cabinet breaks up the bank of white built-in cabinets and provides an artful centerpiece in the room.

No task lighting is needed here during daylight hours. This comfortable bedroom sitting area is full of light, thanks to a large roof window. The skylight is operable, allowing air to flow through the room. Skylights can be covered with blinds or shades to control sunlight and block extra heat on warm days.

Two massive skylights shine brightly over this living room. A high vaulted ceiling and neutral walls offer an open, modern feel. Recessed lighting around the skylights keeps the room bright at night and spotlights the ceiling's beautiful lines. French doors flanking the fireplace mimic the skylights' beautiful symmetry and create a direct link to the outdoors.

The stunning grate over this skylight supports a heavy lantern and provides design appeal. The beautiful wrought iron on the window repeats in the intricate stair rail and the lantern.