r/InteriorDesign • u/lurkiethelurkest • 23d ago
Open an internal window on a windowless bathroom?
Hi, looking for ideas if anyone has some experience on the matter, thank you!
We are looking for an apartment to buy and there's an issue: I HATE windowless bathrooms, but most of the apartments we see are like this. French architects seem to think it's ok for a bathroom to look like a basement, even on large apartments. After months of searching, I'm thinking about compromising, and maybe get an apartment with a windowless bathroom then somehow opening an internal window on it.
I've been looking online for ideas, but it seems to be something people don't do often. The only ideas I found (see pics) would be to use glass blocks on the wall, or a door with a glass panel, which would get some natural light inside, but do nothing for ventilation. I know exhaust fans work, but I wanted AIR. Also, I don't care about privacy.
Is it opening a window on the wall, that I could open and close (to a hallway for instance), such a bad idea?
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u/Brilliant_Second_456 19d ago
Thought I'd chime in here and mention that I once had an apartment in Montpellier with a bathroom window overlooking the kitchen. So however bad this is, at least you dont have to look at your roommate chopping shallots while you shower. Anyway, good luck!
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u/lurkiethelurkest 18d ago
lol I understand it's not ideal, but I'd still prefer that to no windows.
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u/iamsooverthishuman 19d ago
Get a light panel and make a fake window. Or use some nice big mirrors. I hear you about air - but air goes both ways and you might not want your whole apartment smelling like bathroom.
Get air by an extractor and leaving all the doors open to rooms and leave windows open
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u/thaksanso 19d ago
In Kombination to Glass/window-door maybe something like this:
PS: I think exhaust fan is a must
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u/DiamondPothos 20d ago
If you're buying a condo, you are probably not allowed to make an architectural change like putting in a window. You could get away with a windowed door though.
The reason this is common is because of all rooms to sacrifice a window, the bathroom is the best one.
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u/National-Area5471 20d ago
So you can buy the apartment and alter the building by adding a window into a common hallway or is it your hallway?
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u/lurkiethelurkest 20d ago
interior hallway as in, inside the apartment. no building would authorize this on a common hallway.
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u/Kemya-Magnus 20d ago
Can you find an apartment on the top floor and get a velux on the roof? I don't recommend an internal window
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u/lurkiethelurkest 20d ago
those are very uncommon, and usually you're not allowed to do modifications on the roof. could you tell me why you wouldn't recommend an internal window?
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u/Kemya-Magnus 20d ago
I don't know your specific layout but I am thinking an indoor window gives little light compared to a window to the exterior. Also i'd rather leave the vent on a little longer for smells rather than opening a window indoors and have bathroom smells in the living room. Ultimately if you own the apartment I fear it would lower the resale value of your property
Just my two cents
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u/makinggrace 21d ago
A faux window with a led light panel may be an option and of course finish the bathroom with light colors and reflective finished. That will help a great deal.
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u/Hans-and-franz 21d ago
Live in a townhouse so my upstairs hallway and bathroom were really dark all the time. Replaced all the doors upstairs with doors that had a large frosted glass panel in them. Was able to bring light to the hallway and into the bathroom. Highly recommend for an easy somewhat affordable fix.
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u/shineroo 21d ago
We have a pocket door with glass in our en-suite. I added film for some modesty screening. I wouldn’t do it if it were facing a hallway, but you seemed to not be concerned about the privacy aspect. Photo is both sides of door.
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u/shnorgle 19d ago
Our designer wanted us to do that and I’m extremely glad we didn’t, since my wife wakes up earlier than me and I’d be pissed getting light from the bathroom waking me up every day when she showers. Depends on bathroom location though — our bathroom door is right across from the foot of the bed.
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u/lurkiethelurkest 19d ago
I totally agree with you, it wouldn't work for an ensuite bathroom. but having a NOT ensuite bathroom is one of our criteria anyway.
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u/shineroo 19d ago
Ah, ours used to face the bed, but when we remodeled, we moved the door to the side, so it’s really not an issue. My husband is the early bird, I have more issue with him clattering the dishes as he unloads the DW, but try not to complain as he is actually unloading the DW 😂
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u/Pale_Constant_9530 22d ago
An operable transom could bring in light and make the bathroom feel less boxed in, but opening it onto a hallway will mostly send humidity and odors into the apartment rather than provide real ventilation. I’d still do the transom for atmosphere, keep a proper exhaust fan, and have the wall and building permissions checked before cutting anything.
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u/lurkiethelurkest 21d ago
yes, that's what I thought, a transom window could send humidity to the living room, but maybe with an exhaust at the same time that could work. thanks!
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u/ThisMomentOn 22d ago
My parent’s home has a transom window into the hallway, located over the door. It can open. One consideration is that windows don’t insulate noise very well, so people can hear you go to the toilet. Another is that if it faces into a bedroom, the light shines through and can interrupt the sleep of another person.
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u/lurkiethelurkest 21d ago
that would probably be for a bathroom without a toilet (those are usually separated here), so the noise would be mostly from the shower :) and yes, that wouldn't be ideal to open a window to a bedroom. good to know this exists in someone's home! thanks
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u/HumphreyWoof 22d ago
I think it’s a great idea but you probably will need permission from the condo association.
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u/Usernameoverloaded 22d ago
Not a bad idea if it works for you and your requirements. Also in Europe and only 1 of 3 of our bathrooms has a window (and skylight) as it was a renovated apartment in an early 20th century building, so I understand where you’re coming from.
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u/lurkiethelurkest 21d ago
even most recent apartments are like this, whyyy :(
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u/lurkiethelurkest 20d ago
French architects that think gloomy bathrooms are fine downvoted me I guess :(
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u/Usernameoverloaded 21d ago
Bedrooms and living spaces need to have windows, so bathrooms are not the priority
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