Window too high

[NotJustACigar]

In our sitting room we have a large window but it's positioned quite high off the floor which means you can't see out when sitting on the couch. I've finally figured out this is why no one really used that room - it just isn't very pleasant in there due to the window position. I'm wondering which of these options is best:

1. Replace/move the window.
2. Raise the floor.
3. Get a really tall couch.

Obviously option 3 is cheapest but does tall furniture even exist that is comfortable? Option 2 might be ok as the window we have is nice but would it be really expensive? Option 3 would I guess be quite pricey as if we lowered the window we'd have to do some brickwork to the house, etc. What would you do? Thank you.

Can you post a photo of the outside of the house showing that window in relation to others and the window from the inside? Putting a larger window in may not be as expensive as you think, but it would need to look right from both sides.

Provided it looks ok, I'd go with option 1. The other ones sound like botch jobs.

What is outside? If it's your garden, how about some sliding patio doors. Of course, this may not be ground floor.
I would have thought the best solution would be to lower the bottom of the window and put in a window taller from top to bottom (I.e. lower the windowledge) iyswim. This is not a difficult or long job for a builder. Have you got a photo of the outside?

I've tried to pay a photo but don't seem to be able to... I'll try again but I think French doors could work.

It's the one on the bottom right.

Is your place a house or a flat? Sorry, not clear from the picture. Is that that rear of the property? Is it listed or in a conservation area?
If you own the freehold and it isn't listed and/or in a conservation area, I can't see that it would be a problem ( with due regard to the height of the damp proof course). You would need to have several courses of bricks removed and a made to measure window fitted. You need to get a decent builder in to have a look.

With it being a period house, how high is the window off the floor? Asking as hey tend to be quite low anyway.

As to your couch - is it a particularly modern low one? Are you a very petite family? If not, then perhaps it's a very soft, squishy couch so you end up reclining back and sinking into it and your line of vision travels automatically up?

Try sitting on a chair in there. If you can see outside better, then It could be a case of getting a harder, more upright sofa.

Well I am with previous posters - I think enlarging the window is the right way to go and once you do that , if appropriate I suspect the cost of french doors over lowering / enlarging the window - once appropriate lintels in place etc won't be terribly huge. It could make a huge difference to the room. I put two french doors in a room ( they are not on to a garden - but juliet balcony ) to replace two small windows and it made such a difference to how the room feels. So much lighter and brighter.

Raising the floor - that reminds me of the joke about when they were making a film "Raise the Titanic" I think Lew Grade said "it would be cheaper to lower the Atlantic." So I would personally not contemplate messing around with the floor level if this is the only issue .

Higher furniture - your choice. But if you have to buy special furniture to see out of the window will that not look odd and still will cost money ?

Personally I would get a quote for making the window into what you want & then decide whether it is worth it to you. If you can I would do that - make a lovely big window / french door & offset cost of sofa on stilts or messing around with the floor

I really can't see how options 2 or 3 work at all - but just my tuppence h'penny Good luck whatever you choose

Just reading your OP again and I wonder if re-arranging the furniture would help? Also does the tree make the room dark which, depending which way it faces, could have an impact.

Thank you so all, I really appreciate it. I'll look to get some quotes on installingFrench doors.

OP, it looks like it’s the front of the house so I think you’ll need to ask the council?

Hi luckily it's the back of the house bit thank you!

Oh the place looks really nice :-)

If you decide to replace the window, you can get a rough online quote using this website: www.doubleglazingontheweb.co.uk/

Just so you know the type of costs you are looking at. You can also create a quote for doors too!

I don't know how accurate it is however, but I think the price does also include the cost of installation.

If it’s the window with an out crop, bay window, then I’d consider putting 2 steps under or at an elevated platform for storage and pad the bay. I have a similar situation, because my window is high up, and also at the GROUND level. The room drops underground so I can’t pull the earth away. I’m making my own elevated bench seat with 2 steps. Again I can’t play with my bricks or the window.