Windows deserve more attention than they normally seem to get.

Though these essential home features grant us beautiful outdoor views, permit pleasant sunlight into our homes, and break the monotony of exterior siding with their stylish panels, we often overlook them—or, rather, look right through them. But if you invest a little effort and money into yours, you can upgrade them from plain and practical to utterly attention stealing.

Black steel-framed windows 

A sweeping movement in home architecture, these windows balance expansive panes with simple, sophisticated frames. Black-steel window frames are practically a shortcut to contemporary design, so trading out builder-quality versions, such as simple, white vinyl ones, for them can elevate any home with in-vogue elegance. Likewise, replacing bulkier doors with black steel-framed glass versions can breezily blend indoor and outdoor spaces.

In fact, black frames are so popular now that many homeowners are employing a handy tactic for imitating them: painting window and door frames black. Darkening the trim around your glass can simultaneously modernize your interiors and lend sophisticated touches to your exterior facade. Best of all, this cost-effective option doesn’t require you to invest in brand-new windows to get that fresh new feel.

Creative colors

Ornate woodwork frames, such as those emblematic of Craftsman homes, are now generally less popular than simplistic steel options, but there are other methods for modernizing your windows. Try updating classic features with eccentric, statement-making colors instead.

These window upgrades offer stunning possibilities. Painting the frames in your home office grayblue could lend the room a smart, sophisticated look, while brightening up a kitchen with vibrant matte-gold frames can make your backyard views resemble pieces of framed art.

Good home design is about balance, though, so if you wish to embrace colorful window frames, use neutrals to ground them. For example, if you paint your bathroom windows a soothing-yet-elegant seafoam green, pair them with white walls and tan-stone finishings. And don’t leave the windows hanging; incorporate your quirky color choice into your interior decor and exterior garden for a cohesive palette.

Efficient tint

Tinting your windows slips a pair of sunglasses on your home, filtering sunlight and adding essential privacy. There are various types of tinted films to consider, including shatter-preventing security film and highly stylized decorative film, but your key priority should be minimizing UV sunlight. Temperature-control film, for example, can block as much as 99 percent of the sun’s radiation and 80 percent of its heat, both of which can help drastically reduce your monthly energy costs— making it an investment that can pay for itself.

In terms of style, dark and reflective tints that obscure the view from the outside in are on trend, especially those with deep-blue hues, which add sophisticated color to exterior glass without discoloring your views from indoors. Window-tinting specialists can apply these treatments to virtually any style of pane for everyday practicality and a modern appearance, though you can install them yourself if you really trust your handiwork.

However, note that installing tint can void an existing window’s warranty since the manufacturer may see this as tinkering with their product—generally a no-no when it comes to purchase protection. You should be in the clear if you’re upgrading older windows with expired warranties though. To save money, prioritize tinting common-room or south-facing ones that may get more sun.

Pleasant picture windows

If contemporary design has it out for any window feature in particular, it’s muntins: strips of material that create grids on panes of glass. Rather than settling for cross-hatched, obscured views, upgrade your windows to floor-to-ceiling picture ones—these practically invisible options will grant you expansive sights and a minimalistic look. “Floor-to-ceiling windows flood your home with light, make a modern interior/exterior statement, and help break down the barrier between indoors and out,” says Andersen Windows & Doors on its website. Pair them with matching sliding-glass doors for a clean, consistent look that will feel current.

Muntin-free picture panes don’t necessarily offer practical benefits, especially for those with nosy neighbors, so they will definitely need a tint—otherwise, they will eliminate all privacy and bake your home with unobstructed sunlight. The right combination of UV-filtering and privacy film can patch up these features nicely. You should also work with a contractor to make such upgrades. A dramatic project like this will only be possible after some serious renovations, and swapping sturdy walls for non-load-bearing windows can spell engineering trouble. For a DIY alternative, you can cut the muntins off your windows, then replace the panes yourself for an affordable picture-window look.

You may have other principal concerns as you rethink your windows, including their storm-resistant strength and airtight efficiency. Thankfully, updated technology and materials mean you have more upgrade options than ever. Fiberglass windows, for example, provide both excellent durability and insulation for ongoing benefits. Consider your priorities, from practicality to aesthetics, as you shop. Having a clear intention in mind is essential for making smart window enhancements that ensure pleasing results.