Patio door - would you change to a window?

[CoolShoeshine]

I’ve got an old style sliding patio door leading off our living room which is past its sell by date. We could replace like with like but I’m not keen on the style which is outdated. I know you can get some nice contemporary sliding doors but as it is a standard size opening I don’t think we could give it the wow factor without further opening up. Likewise with bifolds. I have also considered French doors which open outwards but the ones I have seen all look quite basic.
I’m therefore considering changing to a window in the opening by having the bottom half bricked up. We don’t need a door in the living room for garden access so that’s not an issue. A window would be easier to open for fresh air and also to install blinds for shade (sunny side of house).
As it’s the living room I’d really like to make a feature of it.
Has anyone got any ideas for either a replacement set of doors or a nice window? Or do you have any reasons why removing patio doors would be an issue?

Or go for a huge picture window, no need for the expense of bricking it up and extra light

Very easy to do but if you're building up you could simply open it up for the bigger doors...? That said, you'd need a steel installed and it becomes a bigger job.

How about doing as you suggest but also have a window seat built? Should be room either side for cupboards or shelving too and you get to sit looking out the window :)

We put french doors with windows at either side with opening top windows in our old sliding doors. Looks much better and can just have the windows open and doors shut.

I have French windows off several rooms. You can easily fit blinds or curtains if you wish. Personally I would go for doors but you need high quality ones to avoid draughts. You should be able to match them to existing windows as regards to style - there are hundreds to choose from. Why style and age is your house?

I’d not close it up, I’d go wider or keep it. Depending on budget and style of house you can get some fab products, like these oak french doors.

www.nativejoinery.co.uk/product/oak-french-door/

We have French doors out of the living room (and kitchen). The living room ones have narrow windows on either side. We love them, but can open the side windows if we want less air (but throwing them and kitchen doors open is the only way to keep house cool in high summer - both rooms face south, and into the garden).
I wouldnt brick them up.

Big picture window but I'd replace with doors, if the style of your house could take this, I'd go for something similar to this image, with opening window to the side. Found by google image : french traditional doors.

If you are considering bricking up the bottom half, use something to cover up the lower half now, cardboard or a dark sheet. Firstly to see how much of the garden view you would lose and secondly because it will darken the room.

Thank you for your input - I should have said but we do have bifold doors leading from another room and as much as we love them I wouldn’t want to open up the living room and put them in there too. @LizzieMacQueen I live that look but our opening is wider. almost square so I’m not sure if that would work.
I like the idea of a picture window with seat but we would definitely need a window which opens up, some seem to be just one big glass panel.
I’ll definitely try your recommendation @chunkyriverfish, the room isn’t particularly light anyway so we’d need to take care.

I have this in my bedroom.

I wanted the glass to the floor so I can see the view from my bed. The original idea was to have french doors with a panel down the side with an opening window and a juliette balcony to the door part.

I decided instead to have the bottom as fixed glass panes so the view wouldn't be obscured by railings and the top glass windows are both tilt and turn. I can leave them open on tilt and they are quite secure or I can open them fully to allow more air flow.