If you have a small room that lacks sufficient light, the obvious solution would be to add a large window, right? Not exactly. For a small room, wall space is precious. A large window would take up even more space, and a large window could block space that is used for a closet, bookcase, or radiator.
For a small room, the best solution would be to have one large, narrow window. A large, narrow window lets light reach further into the room than a small, wide window, and allows both wall spaces adjacent to the window to be used for other furnishings.
The position of the window in relation to the depth of the room determines the best placement. Obviously, the center of the room would not be the best placement as that would leave only a small space on each side of the window for furnishings. A window placed off to the side would let the space along the length of that wall be used for other furnishings.
Glazing bars would not be a good choice to use in a small room. Each bar creates a divided section of the pane that blocks light from coming through. In a large window, the loss would not be significant, but in a small window, the loss would be greater.
People tend to underestimate the effect that a bay or bow window has on a small space, given the small cost difference from other window styles. A bay window doesn’t actually extend the floor space of the room at all, but the additional window area and slight recess create an illusion of more space. The additional window space and the additional light really add a lot to a living space, for example, compared to an unused storage space.
Dormer windows, which are used in loft conversions, add more space and create a more functional room. A loft conversion typically has a sloped ceiling. A roof window (or skylight) can help create more usable space and provide more light, but a dormer provides more usable space and headroom and doesn’t require as much planning permission as a skylight does.
Something to consider for anyone with an older small house with restrictive conservation or budget windows is secondary glazing. It won’t reduce the amount of light coming in, but it does reduce draughts and noise, and it won’t impact the actual size or position of the window. Every surface in a small room does a job, and adding secondary glazing doesn’t take away from that.
The cost for a standard uPVC window is around £300 to £500, and it can go over £800 for timber or aluminum windows with better glazing. Adding a bay window increases the cost even more. It’s important to get actual quotes for a room rather than general window quotes because small rooms have non-standard windows.