image via Crazy Mary
A s we consider what kind of home we can afford (and hope to find) if and when we end up in Seattle, we expect it will likely be a small house that may need some remodeling right away. We’ve visited many open houses to understand what’s available and what to expect.
One pattern we’ve noticed in older, smaller homes within our budget is that kitchens are often small, closed in, and dark. Some have dark cabinetry, and in many cases exterior walls are filled with cupboards so the windows are tiny or missing altogether.
image via Crazy Mary
Besides removing walls or adding french doors and new exterior windows, there are other effective ways to bring more light and better flow into a home. An interior window is one simple solution that creates the illusion of extra space and allows light to travel between rooms without increasing square footage.
Interior windows let a kitchen still feel like a distinct, quieter room when you want it to, while removing the visual heaviness of a full wall. For small homes especially, added light reduces the sense of being closed in or claustrophobic.
Having lived in our current house for six and a half years, one thing I’ll miss most is the kitchen—not only for its look but mainly for the light. Big exterior windows flood our kitchen with daylight for much of the day, and that brightness makes the space feel welcoming and expansive.
If our next house doesn’t have as much natural light as I hope, I’m ready for the challenge. I enjoy solutions that are both charming and practical. In many situations, an interior window is a tasteful, problem-solving option for a dark, cramped kitchen or dining area.
P.S. We actually had a similar interior kitchen window in one of our previous homes (the picket fence house, if you’ve read Love the Home You Have), so I’ve always admired that look. You can see a tiny snapshot of that old kitchen window in an earlier post—an image from years ago that still shows why the idea appeals to me.
Happy Monday, friends!