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Natural light—it’s the one thing I can’t get enough of. That and maybe sleep. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The more windows in a home or apartment, the better. My current place is rear-facing and kind of dark, to be honest, so I’d never be able to get away with covering up or eclipsing what few windows I have in any way whatsoever.
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Next time I move, lack of sunlight is going to be deal breaker for me. But if you’re lucky enough to have windows, skylights, transoms, and mullions galore, then you can afford to play with how you position things around them. Or if you have a wonky layout in a given room, sometimes your only choice is to put a piece of furniture in front of a window. And I’m here to tell you it’s okay, as long as you follow a few rules. Here’s how to block your window without, you know, stopping all that sunshine from pouring in.
(Image credit: Anna Spaller)It’s never really ideal to put a bed in front of a window—it’s actually the opposite of good feng shui. But sometimes you have no other choice, especially if you want to go with a larger bed for comfort, not aesthetic, reasons. No biggie. All you have to do is stick to a low profile headboard or bed frame design, as this homeowner did. That way, ample light can still stream in. This is not the time to go with an exaggerated upholstered headboard, as much as you might love sitting up and reading in bed. Just use extra pillows to prop yourself up as needed.
(Image credit: Pablo Enriquez)And if you noticed, even when the bed is in front of a window, you can still dress that opening with drapes for some added privacy and light control when you want to sleep. It also gives you a spot to add some pattern and color should you want to.
(Image credit: Marcia Prentice)Come to think of it, a window actually solves the problem of what to do with the blank wall space above your bed, because, well, you don’t have to do anything when there’s a window there. It’s automatic architectural interest. But if you like decorative touches, you can work plants, a wall hanging, or even a dreamcatcher into the equation, which is, I think, what this couple did.
When you’re working with a floor-to-ceiling situation in say, a living room, it can be tricky to avoid putting a chair or a table in front of the window. But this is a good problem to have, and all you need to do is be strategic about your materials. Case in point—this light, bright living area. You have that chair and big shelving unit projecting right out in front of those big beautiful windows. But both pieces are open—it’s the most spindle-y chair I’ve ever seen and there’s an etagere bookcase, which is a notoriously airy type of shelf situation. Acrylic would be another good choice here. Or anything shiny and reflective.
(Image credit: Diana Paulson)If you have to block a window with your sofa, again, go lower profile. For that good light, maybe leave your windows bare, save for a pair of curtain panels.
(Image credit: Minette Hand)Symmetry is also a powerful tool. This room would look completely lopsided if there were only one chair in front of one of these windows. Yes, you’re technically losing more window if you choose to block both of them, but balance is way more important in this scenario. Plus, the fact that these chairs match the walls, the drapes and the shutters makes it all blend together and not seem so distracting that they’re parked right in front of the windows.
But if you want to really squeeze in more seating in a common area, and you have to block a window, a bench like this one should be your best friend. Again, low profile and leggy options are going to be your best bet.
(Image credit: Nancy Mitchell)
And if you were curious, you can totally block a window with some shelving. If you keep the styling practical and minimal, it works. I keep seeing more and more of this, and it’s typically more than just a single perch too. For a really big window, you could do the same thing with a slab of live edge wood or butcher block, and call it a breakfast bar.
It’s definitely not a design sin to block a window or two, especially if you don’t have a choice. Remember these tips, and people will start thinking you intentionally pulled a clutch design move when they see your space.