Necessary to have 2 windows in the bedroom?

4 years ago

With regards to cross ventilation, can we do with the one large window? We are hoping to board up the other smaller window to make wall space for a full sized wardrobe. Not quite sure if losing a window would have a huge effect on the ventilation. Are there any other ways to keep the circulation going? Thanks :)

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PRO

Mark Bischak, Architect

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

"since most people never open their windows"

Edit: Someone's comment was removed, which makes my response aimless.

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Comments (15)

User
4 years ago
How often do you open both windows?
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
4 years ago
If you do it then you do not have cross ventilation, there are many bedrooms with only one window.
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I had a bedroom a tiny bit bigger than this in my first apartment. I think it was 8' x 8.5'. I had a double bed and one side had to be against a wall because of the position of the door and the closet and the bathroom door (the bathroom was entered through the bedroom). I was able to fit a small nightstand and a dresser in the room, but nothing else. Because I lived alone, I had free use of the rest of the apartment, so I didn't spend much time in the bedroom. So a question I have for you is, who will be living in this room and how much of the rest of the house will they have access to? Do they need a computer or tv in the bedroom, for example? Will the occupant have to store everything they own in this room or is there space in the rest of the house for some of their things? If I had to do it over again, I'd get a good closet system in the closet, to maximize every inch of storage space. It might be possible, with the right closet system, to store all clothing in the closet, negating any need for a dresser. Bonus if additional storage space for other things could be created. An alternative to a nightstand is to mount a small shelf on the wall next to the bed. However, if there is room for a nightstand, it would add extra storage. Traditional nightstands might be too big, but you could Google "telephone table" to find some smaller, yet still tall enough, tables that would work. A small bookcase would also add storage. And if a tv is wanted/needed, it could either be wall-mounted or go on top of the bookcase. A bed that allows for underbed storage is also a good idea. Use the vertical space on the walls. You could run a shelf all the way around the room, just above the tops of the doors. I saw a lovely room once where they had put shelves just above the windows. There are also a great many wall-hung organizers that would work, or pegboard. As for decorating, I think a simple color scheme is best. Too many colors and patterns in a really small space can be overwhelming. I'm linking to a studio apartment I just saw on Apartment Therapy. The main color there is white, but you could switch that out to just about any color that the occupant of the room likes. Even though this studio is larger than the room you have, you can pull some ideas from it. The use of one color in most of the room to unify everything, the double purpose credenza that is part nightstand and part storage, the wall-mounted shelving and the two tall bookcases that take advantage of the vertical space, the use of open space to add the sense of more room--not cramming every corner with stuff helps to make the room feel larger,. Here is a link that might be useful: calm studio apartment
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Cpartist - not uncommon to do in other parts of the world. People make things work with what they have and what is available. This one in particular looks fairly large and like it has the capability to at least be a one bedroom or have a small 2 bedroom one. Masoud - what is the intended purpose for the second bedroom? Is it for children or? I know my niece has a room with no window in her dad's apartment and with wallpaper it is actually a very pleasant room and at her current age she spends more time outside than in her room anyways with mainly sleeping there and when sleeping you generally close off the windows. I know in certain areas of the world egress is important, but even in the US there are areas where a window isn't required to be a bedroom. I'm from Europe and live in Texas and my old house had one that I used as an office and when I sold it I didn't list it as a bedroom even though the realtors all told me it was a valid bedroom. Although you appear to have a little more space (talking a few cm/ an ich) to add a wall between the door and the window it is still tight and the light will likely not reach into most of the bedroom in the back. So it may not be the best option, but if you want egress then it works.
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PRO
323 Construction
4 years ago
first thing that comes to mind is egress.. make sure you don't delete your egress requirements
rwiegand
4 years ago
Any space is greatly improved by having light from two (or more) directions. One window certainly can meet code, if that's what you mean by "necessary". The rom will be a lot more pleasant to be in with two facing different directions.
PRO
323 Construction
4 years ago
as long as the window is operable and had the correct shave required to exit. normally when I hear take out 2 and put one, it's a bay window or large picture window.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
4 years ago
To a point, the more windows in a space the more pleasant the space is to be in. A room with a big window in one wall and a small window in another wall probably does not come close to that point.

Cross ventilation in a room is achieved when air comes in one window, flows across the room, and flows out another window or possibly door. There are several factors that effect a room's natural ventilation that you have not provided information on and therefore only you can determine your answer.
Lyndee Lee
4 years ago
How much do you depend on outside air and cross ventilation for comfort? Do you have AC, do you use it occasionally or most of the time? How about a ceiling fan or portable fan?

I love natural light and I find bedrooms with windows on at least two walls to be much more pleasant.
User
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Regardless of how many windows are in the room, I don't believe these windows will ever be opened unless someone is practicing gymnastics to vault over the furniture. So, don't worry about cross ventilation, since most people never open their windows, especially if the windows are behind furniture and curtains and shades.
houssaon
4 years ago
Why not just put the wardrobe in front of the window?
cat_ky
4 years ago
I couldnt live in a house without being able to open windows all the time, however, one window, of a decent size, should be all you need, if you leave the door open.
tsjmjh
4 years ago
If you live with someone with seasonal allergies, you don't get to open windows.
Cheryl Smith
4 years ago
you don't have "cross ventilation" without 2 windows on different walls preferably across from each other. light is important to me but not so much in a bedroom where for me darkness is even more preferred for sleeping. but I hate having to turn on a light in the daytime to see. I would like to see the whole room you are working with including the window you want to close off. if it is this one you are showing it does help for bed placement. but what is the one you will keep in the room? rough floor plan including doors, windows, closest and room dimensions help to get the best suggestions
WestCoast Hopeful
4 years ago
Not a single one of our bedrooms has more than one window and they are bright and full of fresh air and lovely. All have large windows that crank open on one side. Zero regrets.
Peke (Patti)
4 years ago
I have always had only one window in a bedroom. My current house has an entire 28 ft wall of floor to ceiling windows. Overkill, for sure. It gets very hot in August, even with air conditioning. We have large overhanging eaves. (?? Not sure if that is the correct term.)

Necessary to have 2 windows in the bedroom?

Mark Bischak, Architect

Comments (15)

User

Patricia Colwell Consulting

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323 Construction

rwiegand

323 Construction

Mark Bischak, Architect

Lyndee Lee

User

houssaon

cat_ky

tsjmjh

Cheryl Smith

WestCoast Hopeful

Peke (Patti)

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