27 magnificent interiors with skylights - natural light as a design dominant

Country style dining room with huge skylights

You can recall several elements that are crucial for the interior of a room. Among them is a window, thanks to which we can see not only daylight and night darkness, but also, for example, a fragment of the sky strewn with stars.

Now imagine how useful and original a window installed in the ceiling can be! From now on, winter will no longer be so gloomy and gray, and the interior will become lighter and more cheerful.

Today, the Design Museum is showcasing 27 stunning homes that feature dining rooms with skylights.

Charming dining room with double skylight

Skylights come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles, and if you're struggling to create a light, airy atmosphere in your home, they can be an instant solution. Bold and almost invisible, spectacular and sophisticated, skylights are ready to amaze you with their stunning views every day of the year.

False window and its tasks in the interior

A decorative window on the wall is a design that creates the impression of a real window opening. This element has four tasks:

• Visually enlarge the room;
• Give comfort;
• Become an accent in design;
• Add lighting.

You can complement the artificial opening with shutters and window sills. Designers manage to combine elements so harmoniously that at first glance it is difficult to suspect imitation.

Idea! Not only a real window can be decorated with curtains. Decorative designs are also worthy of such a frame. Choose light, flowy fabrics in the same color scheme as the room's decor.

When do you need window imitation in the interior?

Imitating a window on the wall is a technique for changing the atmosphere in a room and giving a unique ambiance. This method of decoration helps out if the layout fails. And for studio apartments this is just a godsend!

Reasons for using false constructs:

• There are niches in the apartment that need to be added functionality;
• There is not enough light in the room, and sconces and lamps seem like a banal option;
• The room is too small and uncomfortable;
• There is a gap between the windows that you want to decorate in an original way.

If you think that the interior of your apartment is too gloomy, it’s time to dilute it with spectacular elements. For example, replace interior doors with decorative windows or decorate partitions.

These windows are a great way to create a relaxing area in your apartment. You can place the structure in a secluded place, place a chair or armchair nearby, or floor pots with indoor plants. If you implement this idea, the apartment will have a separate area where it’s nice to sit and enjoy the comfort.

False window option for an apartment

Types of false windows

The most difficult and interesting moment in creating a design project is the choice of design. There are budget design options that are easy to make yourself. More expensive items look more realistic due to the use of new design technologies.

Photo wallpaper

A budget option for decorating a wall is to paste a 3D wallpaper panel with a picture of a real window. To prevent the picture from looking flat, choose a picture with the highest possible resolution. When looking at such an imitation, you will get the impression that you are really watching what is happening on the street.

False window option with photo wallpaper

False window with photo wallpaper in a wall niche

Artistic painting

Drawing a window on the wall is an easy way to create a unique ambiance in a room. You don't have to create directly on the surface - just hang up a printed canvas depicting a beautiful view. For plausibility, you can decorate it with wooden or plastic frames.

False window with a pattern in the interior

False window with painting in the interior

False window with backlight

If there is little natural light in the room, you can create an additional source using an artificial window. Glass and stained glass structures with lighting are suitable.

Consider the nature of the light bulbs - it can be warm or cold. The first option is appropriate if you want comfort, romance and peace. The cool glow resembles the natural daylight, so it is better to choose this shade for cramped spaces where there is almost no sunlight.

False window with lighting in room design

False glass window with backlight

Mirror

You can use decorative shiny tiles or a real mirror as the basis for the window opening. This structure must be mounted on a flat wall. Surfaces with protrusions and niches are not suitable for this interior solution.

A mirrored false window can be created using two technologies. First, you need to fix the base on the wall and decorate it with a frame of a suitable size. The second is to hang a lattice and fill the cells with mirror elements. As decoration, designers recommend using 3D stickers in the form of figures, leaves, branches or raindrops.

False window from a mirror in the room

False window with mirrors in the interior

Ceiling

The ceiling is an ideal place for a false window. It is better to mount it on a suspended surface with a niche. The recess can be filled with photo wallpaper, a printed image or a mirror base, then place the frame.

False window on the ceiling

False window with a picture of the sky on the ceiling

Advice! If you have chosen a mirror type of design, you can stick colored stars of different sizes onto the surface for decoration. Luminous elements will fit perfectly.

With stained glass

As a basis for such windows, you can use frosted glass with patterns or a mosaic of pieces of different sizes. Illumination will add a touch of mystery and bring the panel to life.

Stained glass windows look especially good in arched openings. The only caveat is that such structures are quite large in size, so they are not suitable for any room. But one such detail will radically change the design.

False window made of stained glass in room decor

False window made of stained glass in the interior of a house

With illusion effect

With the help of modern technologies, it is possible to recreate the blowing of wind, the splash of waves, the flight of birds and other natural phenomena on decorative windows. A screen made of special panels is hung on the wall, which connects to a smartphone or computer. From the gadget, the image is transmitted to a fake window opening, which creates a complete sense of the reality of what is happening. Moreover, not only the image is reproduced, but also the corresponding sounds.

False window made of liquid crystal panel

With wind effect

Another unusual variation of imitation is a decorative window with a built-in fan. You will watch the exciting landscape and feel the gentle breeze. For realism, it is better to choose images of marine themes or forest motifs.

False window with built-in fan

Realistic false window with wind effect

False photo wallpaper

Another popular option for decorating rooms is a false ceiling made using photo wallpaper. Today, technologies for producing realistic images on wallpaper make it possible to work with many different materials, and the range of designs has expanded significantly. Having chosen the appropriate option, you can stick it on the ceiling yourself, but before doing this you need to take accurate measurements so that the wallpaper fits into the planned space.

The process of creating a false window from photo wallpaper consists of several stages:

• The base for wallpapering is carefully leveled and sanded.
• The surface of the ceiling is covered with a primer.
• Wallpaper glue is mixed.
• Using a pencil, marks are placed on the ceiling so that the first sheet is glued as evenly as possible.
• The first sheet is smeared with glue, fixed exactly according to the marks and carefully smoothed.
• All subsequent sheets are glued in the same way. Gluing is done end-to-end or overlapping, depending on the manufacturer's instructions indicated on the packaging.

Wallpaper and stickers with false windows

Budget ready solution - materials with images of windows. They do not look as realistic on the walls as volumetric products, but they also deserve attention.

3D stickers are popular. These are large stickers that can be pasted directly onto wallpaper or painted walls. There are pictures with cartoon characters, landscapes, flowers. The big advantage of such accessories is that they are easy to remove and replace with something else. The downside is that they will not correct the nuances of the layout.

Wallpaper with imitation window openings is a risky option. Unlike stickers, they are not so easy to remove. Therefore, it is better to immediately choose a plain material with one bright image. The combination of a window and an additional pattern on the wallpaper looks tasteless and cheap.

Stickers imitating a false window in the interior

Decorative window in different interior styles

Harmony is important in the interior, so when choosing decorative window openings, take into account style trends. This type of decor does not go well with every trend.

Classic

Designs with stained glass or mirrors will harmoniously fit into the classic direction. The shape of the structure can be arched, rectangular and square. Imitations that span the entire wall look especially impressive.

You can experiment with skylights. It is better to use something neutral as a background, for example, colored glass of a discreet shade.

Provence

This style implies lightness, romance, floral motifs and ornate shapes. False windows should follow this concept. The best choice is a photo panel in a wooden frame with shutters. The images may show ancient fortresses, animals, plants, flowering meadows.

An alternative to windows with photo wallpaper is artistic painting. If you prefer this option, do not experiment with bright flashy tones. Delicate muted shades are more suitable for a romantic French style.

Eco

Rural landscapes, panels with plants and virtual panels are suitable for your interior. If you like variety, consider the third option.

Idea! If you choose a budget option, pay attention to mirror designs in wide wooden frames. They look good in living rooms and hallways.

Modern

Mirror compositions fit perfectly into this style. Shutters and other additional elements should be used with caution - they can disrupt the stylistic picture.

Decorations with forest landscapes and the effect of a blowing wind are suitable as an interior accent. It is better to place such details in the living room or bedroom.

False windows in the interior of rooms

Each room has its own character, which should be emphasized with decorations. Imitating windows in the interior is one of the best ways to express your imagination and play with the design of rooms in an original way. Advice on themes and design features will help you find a good solution.

Living room

One of the most comfortable and sought-after rooms should delight all family members. A good design option is a window with a landscape. You can bring your idea to life using photo wallpapers, drawings, and liquid crystal panels.

If you want to place a false structure on the ceiling, choose images of clouds on a blue background, bright sun or flowering tree branches. Another idea is birds soaring in the sky.

To make the composition look more interesting, use a picture with perspective. Such images make you look deeper into the landscape and feel like a participant in the events.

False window in the living room interior

Kitchen

Options for placing an artificial window in the kitchen: above the stove, at the dining table, on a large free wall. In the first case, you should think about lighting.

When choosing a design motif, consider the style of the interior. Photo wallpapers with landscapes, waterfalls, and marine themes are appropriate. Pictures with perspective will do.

If the kitchen has a fake window with a sill, complement the ensemble with a pot of fresh flowers or a small plate of artificial fruit. Such compositions look organically in any interior style.

False window in the interior of the kitchen-dining room

Advice! You should not place fake structures on the wall near a real window in a small kitchen.

Children's

Do you want to create a fairy tale for your child? Use magical motifs and images of your kids’ favorite characters to decorate your false window. Options with photo wallpapers on the theme of sea adventures, mysterious planets, and nature are suitable.

Also, false windows made from video panels will look interesting in the nursery. If desired, the child will be able to change the picture himself and update the interior of his room.

False window in the interior of a nursery

Bedroom

You can place the structure above the bed or on a large free wall. If the room is combined, a partition between the zones is suitable for decoration.

Themes: green forest, night sky with stars, flowers. Ideally, the landscapes will be illuminated using LED strips built into the design. Then the window will not only decorate the room, but will also replace the night light.

False window in the bedroom interior

Cabinet

False windows with lighting will take root in this room. You should not experiment with bright patterns and geometric shapes - such details will distract from your work. It is better to choose images of cities, cups of coffee, and animals for the panel.

Stained glass and mirrored windows will also fit perfectly into the office. You can consider the option of liquid crystal wall panels.

False window in the interior of the office

Bathroom

Most often, there are no windows in the bathroom, so your main task is to add light. Wall panels as a false design option will have to be excluded - the idea is technically difficult to implement. But decoration in the form of a mirror panel, a frame with photo wallpaper and lighting, or stained glass will fit perfectly.

Ideas for decorating a false window: stormy sea, shells, tropical landscapes. To create the atmosphere of a home spa, you can use images of chocolate, vanilla, and cosmetics.

False window in the bathroom interior

Hallway

A window in the hallway is stylish, unusual and fashionable. You can give free rein to your imagination and use any decor options that suit the chosen style. Examples: butterflies, flowers, birds, yachts sailing on the sea.

False window in the hallway interior

Idea! If you have a country-style hallway, you can make a fake glass window by attaching vinyl records underneath it. In combination with lighting, this composition will look amazing.

Attic, basement

Don’t forget about the decor of rooms, which at first glance seem insignificant. Small windows with photo panels and lighting are suitable for basement design. False ceiling structures will look organic in the attic. The frames can be decorated “antique” - covered with water-based paint and a composition with a cracking effect.

False window in the interior of the attic

Shapes and types of attic windows

Have you decided on the functions? Now is the time to choose the right shape and design.

Attic windows can be of various shapes, and even perform important decorative functions for the exterior of the house. In total they are divided into the following types:

• dormer, or technical window on a flat roof;
• attic window. A standard attic window gives in a little less light than a dormer window due to its more compact size.
• semicircular window. The semicircular shape looks quite attractive on absolutely any home and serves as a designer decoration in itself.
• quadrangular window with pitched roof;
• window with hip roof;
• attic window with flat roof. The attic window with a flat roof has a special design: it has additional gutters, thanks to which water does not linger on the top cover.
• with trapezoidal roof or panoramic;
• oval window;
• rectangular window. A rectangular attic window is similar to a regular window complex with a flat roof. The only point: this roof needs to have a slope of 15 degrees.
• triangular window. A triangular dormer window for an attic is most often built in country houses and cottages. This design does not have walls or a canopy - these functions are performed by the roof slopes themselves. As a result, such a window has much fewer joints, which is valuable in itself: there are fewer problems with waterproofing. But, if the top of such a window is the vertex of the triangle, then the lighting functions will be slightly lower. But the most popular today is the design of an attic window with a semicircular shape, which is also funny called “bat” or “frog”.
• window with panoramic view;
• clerestory. If the attic window is designed to provide more lighting, then a so-called skylight is installed.

Look how simple an arched attic window is to make and how beautiful it is in practice:

And now a little about the pros and cons of each type.

Standard windows: simple and unpretentious

One of the simplest options is to install the most ordinary windows in gable walls. But this option is possible only if the roof itself is pitched or gable. But if it has many facets and is of complex architecture, then nothing will work out. In addition, just one window may not be enough for a residential attic, especially if the view from this window is not so great.

See how simple it is in practice:

Panoramic windows: a lot of light and a beautiful view

Today, panoramic skylights are especially popular, providing uniform illumination throughout the attic. The intensity of their lighting directly depends on the angle of the roof and the cardinal directions - south or north. In general, in modern houses in Russia it is fashionable to install larger attic windows so that more light enters the attic.

Dormer windows: a universal option

A dormer window also differs from many other types in that it has a simpler design and can be placed directly on the slope of the roof - and at the same angle as the roof itself. Installation is so simple that there is no need to redo the entire roof structure, and this type of window is most often preferred when an attic space is being reconstructed.

Lucarnes: for a special aesthetic effect

Separately, we note this type of attic windows, such as lucarnes. Lucarnes are dormers that are decorated in a Renaissance or Gothic style. Lucarnes are especially popular in Poland, and thanks to the famous construction magazine of this country, there is a certain fashion for lucarnes in Russia.

The lucarne itself is one of the most important architectural elements of the house, the shape and design of which influences the style of the entire building (decorating it or making it tasteless). Whereas a roof window is less noticeable on the roof, and its style decisions are not so important.

Lukarna is also different in that it forms a niche in the attic, and most of the light is right next to it. And the further away from such a window, the darker it gets. And already at a distance of 4-5 meters the light is not enough. What can we say about the slopes of the roof, under which there is even partial shade. Therefore, the uniformity of lighting in the attic when using this type of window directly depends on the width of the hatch and the method of constructing the side walls. Of course, such a room, on the other hand, seems more comfortable, and some modern interior designers prefer this type of lighting rather than the bright light of an operating room.

At its core, a lucarne is an additional extension on the roof with a vertical window. Thus, a narrow hatch is often installed when restoring old houses, or when purposefully stylizing them as antique. But it is worth remembering that such an attic window has a specific shape, which entails some changes in the roof structure.

The simplest type of lucarne-type attic windows is the “beaver tail”, which is covered with flat tiles. A little more complicated is the “bull’s eye”, but it looks so impressive that it is difficult not to notice it when passing by such a house. And you will be surprised to learn that this type of window itself still has great functionality. Although at the same time, their implementation is a very difficult task, even for an experienced roofer:

So, for a beavertail window, more flat tiles are used. A roof with a “bull’s eye” will, of course, cost you more, although it will stand out favorably among all other typical buildings. In addition, you will have to hire a roofer with the appropriate qualifications, and the window itself will be made of laminated wood - this material is expensive, not to mention the fact that you will have to make a special order.

According to the rules, the “bull’s eye” must be designed at the development stage of the architectural project. First, a project is made, then the rafter frame is modified, the base is made and waterproofing is laid. After this, the roofing covering is laid and the aprons are installed. L

Any mistakes at this stage will result in the doors locking incorrectly or getting stuck. Result: freezing of the walls along the entire perimeter of the window. Therefore, in the case of such a window, it makes sense to trust only a professional. Therefore, in most cases it is better to equip the attic window in a simpler manner, but with a clearer geometry. And the choice today is huge.

How to make a false window with your own hands

It is not necessary to buy decorative structures and call craftsmen for installation. It’s easy to create a false window with lighting with your own hands. You will need a minimum of tools and a little patience.

List of materials for work:

• A fragment of photo wallpaper or an image painted on canvas;
• Drywall;
• Overlay strips;
• LED strip or small light bulbs;
• Transformers for mounting lamps;
• Putty;
• Spatula, roller for processing;
• Dye;
• Hammer, screwdriver;
• Dowels, self-tapping screws.

The creative process will take no more than 2 hours, not counting the drying period of the paint. There will also be no problems with installing the structure if you select the surface for placement in advance.

How to make a false window with backlight

Subsequence	Actions
Step 1	Make a base box from plasterboard with a recess of 15-20 centimeters, treat the surfaces with putty
Step 2	After drying, coat the box with paint. It is better to use water-based compositions - they are evenly distributed, do not crack on the surface, and protect the material from fungus
Step 3	Mark the places for installing the lamps, make holes for the cables, fix the dowels in them
Step 4	Install lighting fixtures, place transformers between them
Step 5	Carefully route the cables through the holes and install the switch
Step 6	Using self-tapping screws and a screwdriver, secure the sheet with the image in the box
Step 7	Prepare the planks - make a cut on them at an angle of 45 degrees, paint if necessary
Step 8	Install platbands on a plasterboard structure
Step 9	Place the window on the wall or ceiling

This is not the only way to create an imitation window with your own hands. We invite you to watch a video that shows how to make a false structure from inexpensive scrap materials.

Illuminated box

A backlit box is essentially the same box as in the previous version, but without attaching an image. In this case, instead of an image, it would be good to mount matte plastic or acrylic. Matte to hide the light source itself, but still allow light to shine through the “window”. The curtain in this option will also add effect.

How to hide layout flaws using a false window

Every mistake in planning can be replayed and turned into an advantage. If you notice crooked walls or awkward niches in your apartment, feel free to decorate them with decorative elements and enjoy the new life of surfaces that were annoying just yesterday.

What can be changed using a fake window:

• Visually increase the height of the ceiling;
• Use inconspicuous corners and empty walls;
• Tidy up uneven walls.

With the help of decorative windows you can zone the space. To do this, in a large room you need to erect a plasterboard partition and decorate it with a false structure.

Don't overdo it with the number of imitations. It is better to have one original decorative detail in the interior than several inappropriate accents.

Possibilities of such decor

In addition to the main decorative function, a false window on the ceiling has some other useful qualities. The most significant of them are:

• Ability to hide small surface defects. Behind such a window you can hide unevenness and other similar flaws in the ceiling.
• When installed in a suspended ceiling system, this element will help create the feeling of a higher ceiling height than it actually is. For low rooms this point is very relevant.
• If hidden lighting is provided during installation, this element can take on the functions of an additional ceiling lamp.

At the same time, there are several ways to create such decor, differing in the complexity of execution, as well as the necessary costs for implementing the idea.

Mistakes when using decorative windows

During experiments, mistakes can always be made. Useful recommendations will help you minimize risk and create an elegant interior the first time.

What not to do:

• Combine a small pattern and wide frames;
• Use colored lamps for illumination;
• Abuse the number of decorative windows;
• It is wrong to combine interior style and design elements;
• Install structures near the floor;
• Place a large number of accessories near the decorations;
• Use different types of structures in one room.

Try to imagine what the room will look like after decoration. You will feel like a designer who has created something unique and memorable.

Features of roof windows

Dormer windows are operated under increased pressure, as they are more exposed to wind, rain and snow. Only a specialized double-glazed window can guarantee to withstand all the vagaries of the weather and prevent heat loss.

Dmitry MileshinChief technologist at FAKRO

Energy-saving double-glazed windows are installed in the attic windows. For the cold Russian climate, the use of two-chamber and three-chamber double-glazed windows is recommended. The super-energy-saving triple-glazed unit contains four tempered glasses, three of which are coated with low-emissivity silver and filled with krypton, a denser gas that provides more efficient heat conservation.

Due to the inclined installation, proper hydro-vapor barrier of the window is of utmost importance, without which it is impossible to achieve tightness. To prevent moisture from entering, roof windows are equipped with frames.

Dmitry MileshinChief technologist at FAKRO

The insulating flashing (a set of gutters and an apron) is a mandatory element required for the correct installation of a roof window, selected based on the type of roofing. For the bulk of structures and finishing coatings, standard flashings differing in profile height are sufficient.

• For flat roofing coverings – up to 10 mm.
• For profiled roofing coverings – up to 45 mm.
• For roofing coverings with a high profile – up to 90 mm.
• For exclusive roofing materials and non-standard installation, specialized flashings are produced.