What is the exterior of the home and do you have a picture of the exterior? Just because you need a window inside doesn't mean it makes sense on the outside.

Look at a DIFFERENT house. These two story heights are a heating, cooling PITA, they are ugly, dehumanizing, and are pointless. The fireplace looks like a mouse hole....you will be asking what to do with that much drywall height. Keep looking. It was thoughtless, spec build design 25/30 years ago, and it still IS.

Beverly- The exterior where the living room is located is vinyl

Here is a picture of what my dream living room would look like. I know I won’t be able to get this exact look, but I would want to add a similar window as seen in the top middle of this picture and another window below it to the living room seen in the first post

Here is another picture of a living room I love

Are you looking at adding windows at the empty space in between the windows or around the fireplaceL

Your inspiration pic would involve essentially rebuilding that entire wall and installing a header to carry the weight of the ceiling. Much more difficult than installing a single new window.

Although, arched windows will not go with that house.

From a construction standpoint, vinyl siding is the easiest, therefore the cheapest, cladding to alter to install windows. You'd probably get it done for around 12K.

Jan - I absolutely love the grand look of a 2 story living room. I can see you think they are ugly, but I think they are beautiful! Thank you for your input though.

Sashadog - thank you, I really appreciate your input, especially about having to install a new header. Maybe a large rectangle window or a window with a slight arch (like my first inspiration pic) would go better with this house?

Joseph- thank you! Your input is very helpful.

Does this house have an arched window or windows with grids any place?

The difference is your inspiration pics have large windows throughout the house whereas the house you’re looking at has small, standard double hung. The new windows you want to install should be roughly same style, shape as existing or it will look off. You could add double windows in the the empty space between the two existing windows.

By the way, which direction do those windows face?

Sasha- mostly just regular rectangle windows throughout the house. Here are some more pictures of the house.
And the living room windows face northeast

Fixed windows are less expensive generally than those that ope (casement, slider etc). We just recently ordered some transom windows, 7 foot wide and angled - that window cost about $1500 CAD. But, like others said, it means some structural work in the wall as well as new interior and exterior finishes.

It is certainly doable and those inspiration pictures are beautiful.

Have a look at some pictures on Houzz for more ideas. I agree with Jan, that the fireplace needs to have more presence, it looks too small for the space.

I couldn't find any pictures that mirrored the style you like, but here are some ideas to expand and extend the fireplace, making it much more of a focal point and then put your new windows around it. I'm not suggesting a stone facade like this, but you see the idea to make it wider and taller and then place the windows around it.

The height extension could be a drywall bumpout - it wouldn't have to have stone or covering of any sort on it, but you could consider painting it a slightly different colour or some nice architectural trim - actually the second inspiration photo with the taupe walls, see that fireplace, nicely trimmed out and extended.

Those changes would really make a difference to that room to help with the scale of the tall ceilings which you like.

As you can see in the original picture, there is a ceiling fan up in the corner and a not very pretty one at that. So that may tell you that Jan's suggestion that heating and cooling the room is currently an issue.

If you consider extending the fireplace, then consider some concealed vents in the extension that would help move air around in the room and allow you to get rid of the ceiling fan.

That room has potential for sure. I think it would be greatly helped by some paint colour and some large scale art and different window coverings. You could do a LOT more if you want but maybe start small and see how you like it.

Home Addition · More Info

Old Hill House · More Info

Mvcanada- thank you so much for your input! I agree, the fireplace definitely needs help and the room definitely needs some artwork. I really do like the house a lot, just have to decide if doing major work like adding large windows to that room would be worth it (or if I should just keep looking for a house that fits my style more)

When you're visiting the house, ask to see the utility bills. Here's an article about the pros and cons of houses with two-story living rooms. The author is someone who likes that feature, but there are definitely caveats as Jan Moyer points out--regulating temperature is one. High utility bills are another. Split level houses often have the same problem, house gets cold in winter because heat rises upward to the top ceilings. And it takes a lot more AC to make the room comfortable when it's hot and sunny outside. In houses that have the kinds of beautiful windows you like, there's a lot of heat that comes in through those windows. Maybe that's why the builder kept the windows small--to regulate indoor temps better.

https://www.fool.com/millionacres/real-estate-market/articles/two-story-living-rooms-pros-and-cons/

You know....I don't think of those changes as "major" work. You could do it for less than say a new kitchen.

But the points about heating and cooling are valid depending on where the house is located (North, South and which direction the windows would be facing). If you live in a fairly temperate climate then it might not be too bad. If the windows face south and get full sun, then you might curse them and then need window coverings (those pictures you've shown don't have any so try to imagine drapes or shutters etc and the associated costs).

It all has to work together and be somewhat cost effective.

The surroundings for the house look beautiful and having more windows would seem to bring in the beautiful greenery and trees surrounding the house.

If you think you like the house and it is right for you otherwise, then perhaps speak to an architect and/or designer for some ideas for how to best accomplish the look you want.

Housegal200- thanks for the article! The heating and cooling have been a thought in my mind. As you pointed out, split levels have the same issue and we live in a split level now. So we are definitely familiar with the heating and cooling issues. I will definitely ask to see their utility bills. The noise is also a concern I have had and it was pointed out in the article as well. We saw the home in the first inspo pic I posted and the noise level was very high. The living room was open to the foyer and upstairs hallway was completely open to the living room as well. We are hoping this home will be better because the living room isn’t as open as the one we saw.

Mvcanada- We live in NJ, so we definitely have some cold winters and some hot summer days. The windows in that living room face northeast. Thank you so much for your input!

Just keep in mind that their utility bills are based on the current small windows, not the large ones you might install. Good luck in your decision.