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Building a Home Windows living room

Windows on both sides of fireplace on west facing living room?

4 years ago

We're debating on putting built in cabinets like the first picture or windows with benches as the second picture below. It's facing west and we might put a TV above the fireplace so I'm not sure if it's a good idea to put windows there. Which option would you recommend?

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Comments (5)

C W
4 years ago
In our first home we had a fireplace flanked by windows like the second pic, with a TV above the mantel. The windows that made TV watching problematic were the ones on the other wall - light coming from behind the TV tends not to cause a glare. At any rate, we put up some light-blocking drapes that we could shut when needed and open the rest of the time. It worked fine!
dan1888
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Windows on a west facing wall are last on the preference list because of afternoon heat. No windows for me. The space can be used for art.
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Bmorepanic, I would have so many choices in that kitchen I might not be able to decide and would just sit there like a deer caught in the headlights. Thanks for the link. It was fun looking at those homes. Hi Beastbaby, I don't have any kids or grandkids. That would make it such an easy decision. I love open floor plans that have the island looking into the living room because they make me feel like the bartender in the middle of the action. It also seems so orderly to me (everything arranged in a row--fireplace parallel to island etc). But maybe breaking up the look is a good thing. I also think, this room is going to be empty most of the time so maybe I should be facing the view instead of an empty living room. With the walls being mainly windows, I'd of course be able to see outside even if I were facing the living room, it just wouldn't be quite as dramatic. I'm going to work and some choices over the weekend and I'll post them so you all have a better feel. You've done a great job helping me already!
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PRO
PPF.
4 years ago
I've always liked this arrangement with smaller windows above some sort of storage.
just_janni
4 years ago
If you are going to try to watch TV during the time when the sun is setting - it won't be pleasant at all. In my house - we're most likely to be watching TV precisely then. It'll suck.

My vote is no.
David Cary
4 years ago
PPF - how did you cover the brutal western sun? Automated blinds/curtains?

That is always my issue with small windows - and I built with them in one room. It is a bonus room and the roof line below forced the issue.

No big deal - right. Just a bonus room that is really just a play area for our 10 year old.

Well - he have a fabric covered piece of foam that we wedge in it when he wants it dark. Too high for blinds to be feasible and curtains would be silly. Didn't wire for automated anything and wouldn't pay for it either way.

The room really required it with our floorplan and it was a known compromise. But I would not do it in a living room without an aesthetically acceptable way of blocking sun entirely.

Yuck on the TV over the fireplace. Too high for optimal viewing angle and then the TV competes with the elegant fireplace whose primary role is usually a focal point.

And built-ins (IMO) are crap and dust gatherers. Your first picture is just that - crap and dust. I mean if you have 2 old timey metal water containers and a wooden bird that you just have to display.....

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