5 Window Designs To Transform Your Small Apartment

In a small apartment, windows do far more than “let light in”. They influence how spacious a room feels, how airy it is, how private it is, and even how you arrange furniture. The right window design can make a compact living room feel open, brighten a dark hallway, or turn a box bedroom into a calm, light-filled space.

The best part is that transforming a small apartment doesn’t always require knocking down walls. Smart window choices (and a few layout-friendly upgrades) can change how your home feels day-to-day—without adding clutter.

Below are five window designs that work brilliantly in compact homes, plus practical tips on where each one shines and what to consider before you commit.

1: Floor-To-Ceiling Glazing For Instant “More Space”

Full-height glazing is one of the fastest ways to make a small apartment feel bigger. By extending glass down towards floor level, you reduce visual breaks and pull the outdoors into the room, which creates a stronger sense of openness.

Why it works in small spaces:

  • Brings in maximum daylight, which helps rooms feel larger
  • Expands your sightline (even a modest view feels “wide” through big glass)
  • Suits modern interiors and minimal, clean-lined styling

Best places to use it:

  • Living rooms with a view (even a city view counts)
  • Open-plan kitchen/living spaces
  • Compact bedrooms that feel dim or enclosed

Small-apartment-friendly design tips:

  • Use sheer curtains or light-filtering blinds so you keep the airy feel
  • Keep the area directly in front of the glass clear (avoid tall furniture there)
  • Pair with energy-efficient glazing so you don’t lose warmth in winter

What to watch for:

  • Privacy in overlooked buildings (frosted lower panes or layered blinds can help)
  • Solar gain in south-facing flats (solar control glass or blinds may be useful)

2: Juliet Balcony Windows For Light And Ventilation Without Losing Floor Area

A Juliet balcony (sometimes called a balconette) is essentially a full-height window or door with a protective railing, giving you the benefits of large glazing and fresh air—without needing a walk-out balcony that steals space or adds structure. It’s often used to bring in more light and allow ventilation safely.

Why it’s brilliant for apartments:

  • Makes a room feel more “open” without changing the footprint
  • Encourages airflow, which helps reduce that stuffy, boxed-in feeling
  • Adds a modern “entrance-style” focal point to a living room or bedroom

Where it works best:

  • Bedroom windows where you want a brighter, fresher feel
  • Living rooms that need a visual centrepiece
  • Upper-floor apartments where a full balcony isn’t possible

Style and layout tips:

  • Use slimline frames to maximise glass area
  • Keep furniture slightly set back so the opening feels like a feature
  • Consider frosted side panels if your neighbours are close

What to watch for:

  • Building permissions and management-company rules can apply to flats
  • Safety, glazing specification, and proper installation matter more with full-height units

3: Interior “Borrowed Light” Windows Between Rooms

If your apartment has a dark hallway, a windowless kitchen, or a bedroom that loses daylight once doors close, an interior window can be a game-changer. Interior glazing (often in a black-framed or Crittall-style look) lets light travel between rooms while still keeping a sense of separation.

Why it transforms small apartments:

  • Brightens internal rooms without adding external openings
  • Creates a lighter, more open feel while keeping zones defined
  • Can reduce the need for daytime lighting in darker areas

Great places to add one:

  • Between the living room and the hallway
  • Between the kitchen and the dining area
  • Between bedroom and home office nook (with privacy glass)

Practical design options:

  • Clear glass for maximum light
  • Reeded/fluted glass for privacy with brightness
  • Sliding internal glazing panels when you want flexible separation

What to watch for:

  • Sound travels more easily through glazing than through solid walls
  • If you need privacy, choose textured glass or add a blind

4: Transom Windows Above Doors To Share Daylight

Transom windows sit above doors (or sometimes above another window) and are a smart way to share daylight between spaces—especially in older flats or conversions where rooms are chopped up. Traditionally, they helped with light and ventilation, and they’re still used today to brighten darker interiors.

Why do they work so well in compact homes?

  • They add brightness without sacrificing wall space
  • They keep rooms feeling connected, which helps small layouts feel larger
  • They’re ideal when you don’t want to remove a wall or door

Best uses in a small apartment:

  • Over a hallway door to bring light into the corridor
  • Over a bedroom door where you want light-sharing but not an open doorway
  • Over a kitchen door to brighten cooking areas

Design tips:

  • Use frosted or reeded glass if it faces a bedroom or bathroom
  • Match the transom frame style to your main windows for a consistent look
  • Consider fixed transoms for simplicity, or openable ones if permitted and useful

What to watch for:

  • In some buildings, changes to internal openings may need approval
  • Accurate measuring and tidy finishing make a big difference visually

5: Skylights And Roof Windows For Top-Floor Brightness

If you live on the top floor, roof windows and skylights are one of the most powerful ways to transform small rooms—especially bathrooms, stairwells, and awkward corners that never get enough daylight. Roof windows are designed specifically to bring daylight (and often fresh air) into upper-floor spaces.

Why they’re perfect for small apartments:

  • Light comes from above, so it reaches deeper into the room
  • Makes tight spaces feel taller and more open
  • Great for privacy (you get daylight without street-facing windows)

Where they shine:

  • Small bathrooms (especially if they’re windowless)
  • Loft-style bedrooms
  • Dark landings or corridors at the top of the flat

Smart choices to consider:

  • Built-in blinds for light control
  • Venting roof windows for airflow
  • Energy-efficient glazing to reduce heat loss in winter

What to watch for:

  • You’ll likely need permissions and a professional assessment (structure, roof type, access)
  • Consider condensation management and ventilation, especially in bathrooms

Small-Apartment Window Styling Tips That Make Any Design Look Better

Even without replacing windows, small changes around them can transform the feel of your flat.

Try these quick wins:

  • Hang curtains higher and wider than the window to make it look bigger
  • Use sheer layers to keep privacy without blocking daylight
  • Place a mirror opposite a window to bounce light and make rooms feel larger
  • Keep sills clear—clutter blocks light and makes windows feel smaller
  • Choose light wall colours around windows to reflect daylight further into the room

Transform Your Apartment With Fairview Windows UK

The right window design can change everything in a small apartment: brighter rooms, better airflow, stronger privacy, and a layout that simply feels more comfortable. From floor-to-ceiling glazing and Juliet balcony windows to interior light-sharing solutions like transoms and internal glazing, the best choice is the one that fits your space, your building rules, and your everyday needs. If you’re considering upgrading your windows, Fairview Windows UK can help you choose a design that enhances light and space without compromising on energy efficiency or security. Speak to the team for practical advice, clear options, and professional installation that makes your apartment feel bigger, brighter, and better.

FAQs related to Window Designs for Small Apartment

  1. Which window design makes a small apartment feel the biggest?
    Floor-to-ceiling glazing is often the most dramatic option because it increases daylight and extends your sightline, making rooms feel more open.
  2. Are Juliet balcony windows a good option for flats?
    Yes, they can bring in more light and fresh air without taking up floor area. Building permissions may apply depending on your property and management rules.
  3. How can I brighten a dark hallway without changing exterior windows?
    Interior windows between rooms or transom windows above doors can “borrow” light from brighter spaces while keeping separation.
  4. Do skylights work in small apartments?
    They’re ideal for top-floor apartments. Roof windows and skylights bring light from above and can make compact rooms feel taller and more open.
  5. What’s the quickest way to improve light without replacing windows?
    Use sheer window coverings, keep sills clear, and place a mirror opposite the window to reflect daylight and make the room feel larger.

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