Light Well Window Ideas

We recently purchased a top (4th) floor apartment in a lovely old brownstone in prospect heights. The floors are split up into four units each. Our bedroom being on the interior of the building (rather than facing the backyard or street) does have a window however it is a light well window so that there is a small circle of windows in close proximity from the apartment adjacent to us as well as the building right next door. My question is how do we maintain privacy in the bedroom without shutting out all of the light? Are there any innovative ideas people have for dealing with these types of windows? Thanks.

duckieuw

in Doors & Windows 10 years and 6 months ago

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mruby36 | 10 years and 6 months ago

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I’m with brokelin with the addition of “top down / bottom up” window blinds. I had a ground floor place once in a previous lifetime and they worked great. Google them, blinds.com and a bunch of other places will come up to look. In the off chance the ceiling is the wall color or anything other than “ceiling white”, paint it. The ceiling as well as a light color on the walls will reflect better what light does come in. Hope that helps! Matt R www.nyc-hs.com

brokelin | 10 years and 6 months ago

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I don’t like putting something on the window, because then you can never see out. There are tons of shades that let light in while obscuring views. Then you have the option of still opening the shade to see the window glass – to clean, to look out, to let all the light in when you don’t want privacy. If the semi-translucent shade doesn’t give you comfort that privacy is absolute, put a lined curtain over it that you can draw when you want to be assured of privacy – this will also block out all ambient light, for a better sleep. And, yes, add a skylight if you want.

Rick | 10 years and 6 months ago

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Stained glass is a good idea. I recently made and installed one for a skylight. I went with old school milk glass and a simple wood frame.

rh | 10 years and 6 months ago

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Stained glass

364house | 10 years and 6 months ago

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Coop or condo – who has rights to roof above your bedroom? Is there the possibility for adding a skylight or roof window?

daveinbedstuy | 10 years and 6 months ago

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I had windows in a dining room in Chicago that looks out on an adjacent building but just faced the bricks. I covered the insides with a translucent velum that you use a spray adhesive to adhere, similar to them being frosted.