A picture window is a large window with a single pane of glass, usually found in living rooms – though also often found in kitchens or large bathrooms. They’re fixed in the wall, so they don’t open, and typically don’t have mullions, unless they’re toward the edges. They frame the view as if it were a picture.

The Symbol of Soulless Suburbia

They became a fixture in post-war homes, and thanks to John Keats’ 1957 novel, “The Crack in the Picture Window,” they became synonymous with the dark side of suburbia. With the resurgence of interest in post-war, 1950s and 1960s homes, however, the picture window has been somewhat redeemed.

Common Picture Window Sizes

Picture windows can be used with other types of windows, and are often framed by single or double hung windows. Picture window sizes vary based on the installation, but common measurements are between three and five feet wide and four to six feet tall.

Blinds for Picture Windows

Because they were built into post-war homes, which were predominantly modern in style, blinds suit them particularly well. Depending on the width of the window and the look you want, you might want to use one large blind or multiple blinds side by side.