Clerestory windows are small windows placed along the upper part of a wall, are a common feature in mid-century modern homes. But their history goes back much further than a mere 70 years or so— they date back to the ancient Egyptians, as they were used in sacred temples to fill the spaces with light. They were used in other religious institutions throughout the centuries too— in synagogues, cathedrals and basilicas.
Why Get Clerestory Windows?
People usually get clerestory windows for additional light that they give to a room. But they also offer other benefits, for example, you can use only clerestory windows to let there be light without the windows taking up entire walls. In warm climates, clerestory windows are often preferred because they let in the same amount of light as low windows but the light is less harsh. This is because the sunlight is filtered above, leaving your room lighted but not too hot. As clerestory windows are mostly placed rather high, it makes them ideal for bathrooms and bedrooms, where you want more natural light incoming but still want much privacy. When clerestory windows are added above other windows, they make it appear as if the entire wall is made of glass. There can be a support beam between the two window rows so you get the effect without the danger of having a wall of windows.
A chic minimalist bedroom with white walls, a glazed wall and clerestory windows, a bed with grey bedding and some plants.
A chic modern living room with comfy furniture and a built-in fireplace, a glazed wall and additional clerestory windows to fill the space with light.
A contemporary bathroom with a floating vanity, an oval tub, a pendant lamp and a clerestory window plus some greenery.
A contemporary bathroom with penny and large scale tiles, a wooden ceiling with a clerestory window and an oval tub.
A contemporary bedroom with a long narrow window and a clerestory one, with blue bedding is chic.
A contemporary bedroom with blonde wood walls, a comfy bed, a glazed wall and a clerestory window for additional light.
A contemporary black and white space with walls to remove and clerestory windows that bring more light to this double height ceiling space.
A contemporary cabin with a glazed wall and a clerestory window for more light and views and minimalist furniture.
A contemporary living room with a grey sofa, a minimalist credenza, a glazed wall and clerestory windows for natural light inside.
A contemporary space with a brick wall, white sleek cabinetry, pendant lamps and clerestory windows that birng light in.
A contemporary space with frosted glass clerestory windows that bring in light but keep privacy and make the space welcoming.
A contemporary white space with a long window as a backsplash and clerestory windows plus contemporary furniture.
A cozy mid-century modern bedroom with a built-in shelving unit, a bed and a leather chair and some clerestory windows.
A large open space with a kitchen, dining room and a living room with a wall that cna be removed, a glass wall and clerestory windows.
A log cabin with large windows to enjoy the views and clerestory windows for more light and a more modern feel.
Types Of Clerestory Windows
You can have clerestory windows without having a row of narrow windows above other windows. Clerestory windows simply need to be higher than part of the roof. This gives a lot of room for creativity. You can even put standard windows up above and call them clerestory windows. Remember clerestory isn’t a design style, it’s an architectural style. So any type of window can be a clerestory window.
Clerestory windows can work with the pitch of the roof and can be pitched, too. Dual clerestory windows are also welcome – just add clerestory windows to two sides of a room. You can do even more, but usually, the architecture will only allow two opposing sides. This will make sure there is natural light coming in at all times of the day.
A mid-century modern home office with a glazed wall and clerestory windows, a corner desk and leather chairs is welcoming.
A mid-century modern kitchen and dining zone with chic furniture, clerestory windows for more light and cool pendant lights.
A mid-century modern kitchen with a brick wall, white minimalist cabinetry and clerestory windows that bring in light.
A mid-century modern kitchen with black cabinetry, clerestory windows for more light, pendant lamps and leather chairs.
A mid-century modern living room with a large sectional, a coffee table and clerestory windows and a glazed wall.
A mid-century modern space - a bedroom and a home office, with clerestory windows for more light and views.
A mid-century modern space with colroful furniture, glazed walls and clerestory windows plus a wood clad ceiling.
A mid-century modern space with multiple windows and glass doors plus clerestory windows is chic and light-filled.
A minimalist bathroom with white tiles and appliances, a clerestory window for light but enough privacy at the same time.
A minimalist bedroom in light shades, with a dresser and a bed plus clerestory windows for more light.
A minimalist space in black and white, with minimalist furniture and black pendant lamps plus a clerestory window over the space.
A minimalist space with a kitchen and dining room, with minimal furniture, a glazed wall and a clerestory window for more light here.
A minimalist tropical space in white and grey, with black touches for drama and with a large clerestory window for more light.
A modern beach house in white, with wooden furniture, pendant lamps and glazed walls plus clerestory windows.
A modern bedroom with a window and a clerestory window, a mauve bed and sconces plus a potted plant.
Where To Use Clerestory Windows
A clerestory window will match any interior and any decor space, from mid-century modern that often come with such windows to minimalist and Scandinavian spaces – they match any room and any decor.
A modern eat-in kitchen with glass sliding doors and clerestory windows that bring more light inside and make it cozier.
A modern farmhouse bedroom with a blue bench with pillows, a large window and an additional clerestory one.
A modern home with elegant furniture, wooden beams, clerestory windows that bring more light inside this high ceiling space.
A modern living room with a white brick wall, a glazed wall and clerestory windows that fill the space with more light.
A modern living room with chic furniture and tree stump coffee tables plus clerestory windows for light yet privacy.
A modern living room with glazed walls to enjoy the views and clerestory windows that bring more light here.
A modern neutral bedroom with contemporary furniture, a large window and a clerestory window over the bed is super chic.
A modern neutral space with white and blonde wood furniture, usual and clerestory windows for more light inside.
A modern tropical space with clerestory and usual windows, with wood cladding the walls and wooden furniture.
A neutral contemporary kitchen with blonde wood cabinets, white tiles and stone countertops and a clerestory window.
A neutral farmhouse kitchen done with beadboard, a glazed wall and additional clerestory windows plus potted plants.
A rustic living room with a stone accent wall, chic furniture, a large window and some clerestory ones for more light.
A rustic living room with wooden beams on the ceiling and built-in lights, clerestory windows, neutral furniture and a coffee table on casters.
A rustic mid-century modern living room clad with brick and with rough trees, with clerestory windows that brign light in.
A rustic mudroom with a glass door and a clerestory window for additional light inside is a cozy space.
A rustic space with a slanted wooden ceiling with beams, heavy wooden furniture and lights plus clerestory windows for more light inside.
A small contemporary guest bedroom with neutral walls, blonde wood furniture, bright yellow touches and clerestory windows for more ligth here.
A small loft cabin bedroom clad with wood and with small clerestory windows to flood the space with light and enjoy views but keep privacy.
A small neutral space with a glazed wall and clerestorywindows, with modern and simple furniture and a loft bedroom.
A stylish modern bedroom with much wood, a comfy bed with blue bedding, a round table and a clerestory window for privacy.
A super chic mid-century modern living room with glazed walls and clerestory windows, with cool seating furniture and wonderful views.
A cute green-white bedroom design.
A welcoming rustic space with stained wooden beams, a wooden ceiling and pendant lamps, large usual windows and additional clerestory ones.
A white farmhouse kitchen with beadboard cladding the walls and clerestory windows that bring light inside and sliding doors.
An airy and chic space with glazed walls, clerestory windows to bring more light in feels very cool and serene.