20 Window Styles That Will Create A Bright Entrance To Your Home
First impressions matter, and your home’s entrance sets the tone for what’s inside.
Windows around your entryway don’t just let natural light flood in – they transform the whole feel of your home’s entrance.
From classic designs to modern innovations, the right window style can make even the smallest entryway feel spacious, welcoming, and full of character.
1. Transom Windows
Remember those elegant horizontal windows perched above doors in historic homes? That’s the timeless charm of transom windows making a stylish comeback in modern entryways.
These slim, rectangular windows allow sunshine to cascade into your foyer without compromising privacy. Perfect for smaller entrances where every ray of light counts!
2. Sidelights
Flanking your front door with these vertical windows instantly upgrades your home’s curb appeal. Sidelights create a grand entrance effect even in modest-sized homes.
Unlike full glass doors, they maintain some wall space for coat hooks or a small entry table while still flooding your foyer with welcoming brightness. Many homeowners choose frosted or textured glass options for the perfect balance of light and privacy.
3. Arched Windows
Something magical happens when curves enter a space dominated by straight lines. Arched windows bring architectural interest to entryways that rectangular options simply can’t match. The gentle curve directs sunlight in a way that softens the entire space.
For homes with Mediterranean, Victorian, or Spanish influences, arched windows create authentic period charm while brightening your entry.
4. Full-Glass Front Doors
Imagine turning your entire front door into a window! That’s exactly what full-glass doors accomplish, creating a seamless connection between outdoors and in. Contrary to what you might think, today’s safety glass options make these doors surprisingly secure and energy-efficient.
The psychological effect is powerful—visitors feel welcomed before they even step inside. For privacy concerns, consider frosted, seeded, or patterned glass that still allows maximum light transmission while keeping prying eyes at bay.
5. Floor-to-Ceiling Windows
Why settle for a window when you can have a wall of light? Floor-to-ceiling windows transform entryways into dramatic, light-filled galleries that showcase your home’s interior.
The vertical expanse draws the eye upward, making even modest-sized foyers feel more spacious and grand. These statement windows work particularly well for homes with impressive views or landscaping that becomes part of your entrance experience.
6. Picture Windows
Like framing a perfect landscape painting, picture windows capture outdoor views while flooding your entryway with uninterrupted natural light. Their large, fixed panes create a seamless connection to the outdoors.
Without mullions or dividers breaking up the glass, these windows maximize both light transmission and visual impact. They’re particularly effective when positioned to frame something beautiful—perhaps your garden or a mature tree.
7. Bay Windows
Jutting outward from your home’s façade, bay windows capture light from multiple angles throughout the day. This three-dimensional quality creates fascinating shadow play as the sun moves across the sky.
The protruding structure also carves out bonus space in your entryway—perfect for a cozy reading nook or display area for treasured objects. Many homeowners install a cushioned window seat beneath, creating an inviting spot to wait for guests or remove shoes.
8. Bow Windows
Gracefully curved like their bay window cousins, bow windows create a softer, more elegant profile with their four or more equal-sized glass panels. The gentle arc allows light to enter from multiple directions, eliminating harsh shadows.
Historically found in Victorian-era homes, today’s bow windows complement both traditional and contemporary entrances. Their curved design creates a natural focal point that draws visitors into your home.
9. Double-Hung Windows
What’s old is new again! These classic windows with two vertically sliding sashes offer timeless appeal for traditional home entrances while providing excellent ventilation options.
Their versatility is unmatched—open from the top to release warm air while maintaining privacy, or from the bottom to create a cooling breeze. For entryways, consider installing them in pairs or groups to maximize light while maintaining the architectural character of your home.
10. Casement Windows
Hinged at the side like little doors, casement windows swing outward to capture passing breezes that other window styles might miss. Their full-sash opening provides excellent ventilation for entryways that tend to get stuffy.
When placed strategically around your entrance, these windows can direct fresh air into your home while their clean lines complement both modern and traditional designs. The cranking mechanism makes them easy to operate even when placed in hard-to-reach areas.
11. French Windows
Often confused with French doors, these floor-length windows open like casements but extend nearly to the ground, creating dramatic light and easy outdoor access.
Their vertical emphasis naturally draws the eye upward, making your entrance feel taller and more grand. Originally designed to access balconies in French apartments, they now bring European elegance to American foyers.
12. Clerestory Windows
Positioned high on walls above eye level, these horizontal windows perform architectural magic in entryways. By placing them near the ceiling, natural light penetrates deep into your foyer without sacrificing wall space or privacy.
Originally used in ancient Egyptian temples and medieval churches, clerestory windows now bring that same sacred light quality to modern homes. Their elevated placement creates a floating ceiling effect that makes your entrance feel more spacious.
13. Garden Windows
Like miniature greenhouses protruding from your wall, garden windows create bright, three-dimensional spaces perfect for displaying plants or decorative objects near your entrance. Their boxed design typically includes side vents for air circulation.
Beyond just admitting light, they actively extend your living space outward. The sloped top panel captures maximum sunlight throughout the day, making them excellent for light-loving houseplants.
14. Pivot Windows
Mounted on central pivots rather than side hinges, these dramatic windows rotate open like vertical turnstiles, creating an architectural statement in any entryway. Their unique opening mechanism allows for larger glass panels than traditional windows.
The center-mounted pivot point allows for partial opening, directing breezes exactly where you want them. Most impressive in contemporary or industrial-style homes with high ceilings.
15. Fixed Windows
Sometimes simplicity creates the biggest impact. Fixed windows—those that don’t open at all—offer the cleanest lines and maximum glass area for bringing light into your entryway.
Without hardware or operating mechanisms, these windows achieve a sleek, minimalist look that’s perfect for modern homes. Their uninterrupted glass expanse allows for creative shapes that might be impossible with operable windows.
16. Lattice Windows
Crisscrossing muntins create distinctive diamond or square patterns in these windows that bring old-world charm to contemporary entrances. Beyond their decorative appeal, lattice patterns effectively break up light into gentle, dappled effects.
When sunlight filters through these geometric patterns, it casts enchanting shadows across your entryway floor and walls. The visual complexity adds character without blocking significant light.
17. Stained Glass Windows
Forget church associations—today’s stained glass designs range from subtle contemporary patterns to bold artistic statements that transform your entryway into a canvas of colored light. Even small stained glass elements make powerful impressions.
As sunlight passes through colored glass pieces, it paints your foyer with ever-changing hues throughout the day. Custom designs can reflect your personal style or complement your home’s architectural character.
Modern techniques allow for sleeker profiles and better insulation than historical stained glass windows.
18. Corner Windows
Breaking the conventional rule of windows centered on walls, corner windows eliminate visual barriers where two walls meet, creating dramatic light effects in entryways. Their L-shaped configuration captures light from multiple directions.
This architectural feature makes your entrance feel more spacious by visually extending your interior beyond its actual boundaries. The seamless glass corner creates a floating effect that draws the eye outward.
19. Grid-Style Windows
Channeling farmhouse charm without feeling dated, grid-style windows feature multiple small panes separated by muntins in various patterns. Their structured look brings architectural interest to even the simplest entryways.
Unlike their historical counterparts, modern grid windows use single glass sheets with applied grids for easier cleaning while maintaining the classic aesthetic. The grid pattern creates visual rhythm that guides the eye through your entrance space.
20. Skylights Above Entry
Looking up should be rewarding! Skylights positioned above your entryway create dramatic vertical light that transforms ordinary foyers into extraordinary welcome spaces.
Unlike wall windows, skylights capture overhead sunlight that’s up to three times brighter than light from vertical windows. This top-down illumination eliminates shadows on faces—perfect for greeting guests or checking your appearance before heading out.
