Top window trends for 2026

Right, let’s talk windows. And yes, I promise this is going to be more exciting than it sounds.

For years, windows were the wallflower of home renovations. They were purely functional and rarely given a second thought.

But now, people are choosing to incorporate fun and put more of a design focus onto their windows. Not only do you need to look at your windows every day from the inside, your neighbours and visitors see them from the outside every day, so use bold design to transform your home, instead of choosing plain white.

Whether you’re knee-deep in a full renovation or just starting to browse ideas, here are the window trends that are absolutely everywhere right now.

 

Colourful windows

Don’t worry, white uPVC is still the reliable, budget-friendly classic we all know and love, so if that’s what you want to go for, then do it!

But oh my, have things got interesting beyond it. Anthracite Grey and Agate Grey have absolutely exploded in popularity, and I can understand why. Those deeper, moodier tones look stunning against red brick (which is basically the signature look of a Cheshire semi) and they give even the most traditional terrace an instant contemporary edge.

I put our home through ChatGPT to decide if Anthracite was for us, and I do like it!

 

If you’re more of a country cottage soul, Heritage Greens and Painswick Grey are having a serious moment too.

Then there are creams, reds, blues and so much more!

 

Flush casement windows

If you’ve never heard of a flush casement, let me try and explain what it is.

On a standard window, the part that opens sits proud of the outer frame, meaning it protrudes forward a little. It’s subtle, but it creates a slight shadow line and a layered, raised effect on the face of the window.

A flush casement does the opposite. The sash sits perfectly level with the surrounding frame, creating one completely flat, smooth surface from edge to edge.

These windows are really elegant looking, and are a great architectural detail if you’re modernising your house. It’s the kind of detail that people notice without being able to quite put their finger on why your house looks so expensive.

If you love the sleek look of aluminium windows but want the thermal efficiency of uPVC, this is genuinely the best of both worlds, and works great on an old or a new house.

 

Crittall doors and windows

These doors have been all over my Instagram feed recently, and I am a big fan of how they look.

First, a little context. Crittall is actually a brand name for a British manufacturer that’s been making slim, steel-framed windows since the 1880s. Their distinctive style of black steel doors became hugely popular in the Art Deco era and featured heavily in factories, warehouses, and modernist buildings.

Fast forward to today, and that same look has become one of the most sought-after styles in residential design. Because the name “Crittall” is so strongly associated with the style, you’ll often see similar products listed under other names, like steel-framed windows, steel-framed doors, black frame windows, grid windows, or industrial-style glazing. If you’re searching online and not finding what you want, try a few of those alternatives!

The look itself is defined by its slim, dark (usually black or anthracite) frames divided into a grid pattern, like lots of smaller rectangular panes rather than one large sheet of glass. It’s geometric, striking, and has an unmistakably cool, editorial quality to it.

 

Obviously, this is a much larger scale than you’d have in your home, but it gives you the right idea!

Modern versions are typically made using aluminium windows rather than steel, which gives you all the same visual drama but with better thermal performance and lower maintenance.

This style works especially well for floor-to-ceiling glazing, large rear extensions, and internal doors or room dividers, giving you that moody, New York loft-meets-Cheshire countryside energy that’s all over Instagram right now.

 

Classic period windows

What I love is that people are really beginning to appreciate the history of a house. In the 70s, 80s, 90s, they were ripping out and covering up period features constantly, but NOW. People are deperate to find original Victorian tiles under their dingy hall carpet, or find an original fireplace hidden behind an ugly 1970s installation.

The same is happening with windows. Sash windows, bay windows and bow windows are all having a big comeback across Cheshire and beyond, as homeowners try to recapture the original character of older properties without taking on the maintenance nightmare of rotting timber frames.

Modern uPVC sash windows now come in woodgrain finishes that are honestly almost indistinguishable from painted timber and look so much more timely on a period property than stark uPVC windows.

And bay windows? People are getting creative and turning them into the cosiest reading nooks and built-in window seats.

So if you have a period property, embrace the past and have a look at the modern window options available to you that fit in with the old vibe of your home.

 

Tilt and turn windows

Never heard of tilt and turn windows before? Well, you’re about to.

From the outside, a tilt and turn window looks much like any other modern casement window. They’re clean, contemporary, and available in all the same colours and finishes as standard windows. The magic is entirely in how they operate, and it’s all controlled by a single handle with multiple positions.

Turn the handle one way, and the window tilts inwards from the top, opening just a few inches at the top while the bottom stays firmly in place. This gives you safe, secure ventilation without the window swinging open, which is brilliant for bedrooms (no 3am banging in the wind) and especially reassuring if you’ve got young children.

Turn the handle the other way, and the entire window swings fully inwards from the side, like a door, giving you complete and easy access to both panes of glass for cleaning, all from inside the room.

It’s a style that’s been standard across much of Europe for decades, and it’s easy to see why. The functionality is brilliant, and because the whole mechanism is internal, the exterior still looks sleek and uncluttered. If you’re someone who loves a home that works as beautifully as it looks, tilt and turn windows are absolutely worth considering.

 

Trends are fun to follow, but with higher-end styles like anthracite aluminium windows or flush casements, the installation matters just as much as the product itself. A bad fit will undo everything.

Amazon Windows have been doing this since 1989, and they’ve seen pretty much every trend come and go, so they know how to get it right. With UK-manufactured products and a 10-year warranty, they’re the kind of company that takes the long view, which is exactly what you want when you’re investing in something that’s going to be on the front of your home for the next few decades.

Right then, which trend are you most tempted by? I want to know everything. 👇