Windows and doors are more than functional elements — they’re key design features that can define the style and comfort of your home. Whether you’re building new or looking to renovate, we know all too well how hard it is to pick the right windows and doors for your home. To offer some help, we’re covering off the main things so you can make the right choices for your home. Plus we share plenty of interior design tips along the way.
If you have any questions about windows or doors, let us know in the comments below. We’d love to keep updating this article with information that’s useful to you!
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Maximising natural light with the right windows
Natural light is essential and helps make a house feel larger, welcoming, and bright. How much light you have mostly depends on what sort of windows you have and where they are situated in your space.
To optimise light in your home:
- Choose larger windows or floor-to-ceiling designs: These create a seamless connection with the outdoors and flood your interiors with light.
- Strategically position windows: take advantage of light and the view. Windows can act like a frame to capture the view and make it a natural focal point in your kitchen, living or dining rooms. These don’t always have to be centred along a wall. In fact, off-centre or unusual windows make more of a statement.
- Opt for clerestory or skylights: Perfect for areas like kitchens or bathrooms where wall space is limited.
- Select the right glass: UV-coated glass can protect your furniture and flooring from fading into time without losing brightness if you live in sunnier areas. Frosted or textured glass can also be added to glass for privacy.
- Replace heavy curtains with sheer blinds or shades: This allows sunlight to filter through while maintaining privacy.
Designer tip: If you’re building new or doing a major reno, don’t just think of windows as flat and within a wall. There are many ways you can turn a window into a design feature of a room. For example, bay windows are great if you want something decorative in a traditional or coastal home. These can create a cosy seating area or breakfast nook, and incorporate additional storage in the bench seats. Alternatively in contemporary homes, you could turn a window into a box window with seating for a modern and architectural aesthetic.
Enhancing curb appeal with stylish doors
The right doors can dramatically enhance your home’s exterior, creating a welcoming and stylish first impression. They’re also a fabulous way of setting the design style for your home and we talk more about this in the next section.
If you only have a small front door that often gets missed by guests when they come to your home, a reno idea that’s worth the investment is upgrading your front door. Yes, this may come with a few headaches like needing to cut a larger opening but a builder can offer this in their service.
Imagine a large pivot door that gives your home a contemporary, architectural feel? Or a gorgeous farm door that can be painted in an uplifting colour? A front door isn’t just a front door and we suggest pouring over home magazines and Pinterest to find your perfect inspo.
It isn’t just your front door that sets your home’s curb appeal. Patio doors can also uplift your home and reinforce your design style. For example, replacing an old 80’s sliding door with gorgeous French doors is a renovation trick we’ve seen the ladies at Three Birds Renovations do time and time again.
Be sure to do your research on the best door material for your climate. Wooden doors are warm and characterful, but they will need maintenance to prevent warping. Steel or fibreglass can also be used and will last longer.
Designer tip: Match your door’s finish with exterior fixtures, like light fittings or house numbers, for a cohesive look.
Matching windows and doors with interior styles
Windows and doors aren’t just functional elements but integral to your home’s design language. Creating harmony throughout the space involves choosing the right styles to complement your interior aesthetic. Frameless windows work beautifully in modern, minimalist designs, as do frameless, flush doors. These options feature clean lines and maintain a clutter-free appearance. Another striking choice is black steel frames with glass doors, adding a touch of industrial charm while keeping spaces open and airy. We’ve also seen a rise in reeded glass in recent years, adding a sense of luxury to internal doors.
For a rustic vibe, consider designs that enhance warmth and texture, such as those with natural finishes and details that pair well with exposed beams or stonework. Classic window styles, like double-hung or French casement windows, elevate traditional interiors with timeless elegance, especially when paired with panelled doors featuring intricate mouldings or stained glass accents.
In eclectic spaces, you can even mix styles for visual interest — such as adding a brightly coloured door to a neutral room or using arched or circular windows as standout focal points. Choosing windows and doors that align with your interior style ensures a cohesive, intentional, and visually appealing design.
Boosting energy efficiency with modern designs
As well as aesthetics, it’s important to consider the thermal properties of windows and doors. Energy-efficient windows and doors will create a more comfortable home, and save you on the cost of ongoing heating and cooling. And naturally, using less energy doesn’t just save money, it also reduces your environmental footprint.
In Australia, new homes must meet a minimum energy rating and it’s almost impossible to do this without using double-glazed windows throughout. They trap air between two glass panes, which stops heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Given the demand for double glazed windows, you can now find these in modern designers with many custom design options. You can also find insulated doors with foam cores to help keep indoor temps from fluctuating, making your home comfortable year round.
Many modern designs have additional features, such as glass with low emissivity (‘low E’) coatings, which reflect heat and let light through. This is especially important in desert locations, which can become very hot or cold. The sealing technologies have also come a long way with compression seals and weatherstripping cutting drafts to the bone. Eco-conscious homeowners might prefer sustainable materials such as recycled aluminum frames or timber excavated from a climate-friendly source. Not only do these options help save you from an environmental footprint, but they also add a unique character to your home.
Has this article given you some new food for thought when selecting windows or doors for your home? Do you have any questions we didn’t cover? Post a question below and we’ll get back to you asap! Thoughtful choices in windows and doors don’t just enhance aesthetics, they create spaces that feel brighter, more comfortable, and deeply personal.
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