6 Stunning Design Ideas for Crittall-Style Windows and Doors

Plus everything you need to know about this sleek, minimal design.

You’ve likely seen it, but might not know it by name, so we're here to formally introduce you to the Crittall style making waves in entryways, on windows, in baths, and more. “Crittall style is something that everyone has seen, but not many people know its proper name,” says Drew Michael Scott, interior design content creator and founder of Lone Fox Home. “[The style is] usually grand in scale with metal panes, usually black, that are a contemporary take on old industrial or factory-style windows.”

The style, which originated with The Crittall Manufacturing Company, is also known for its grid-like pattern and strong, slim profile, says Margaret Donaldson, Charleston-based interior designer and founder of MDI Luxury Design.

Here, designers share their top tips for putting this style to use in your own space.

1. Bring Nature In

One thing that is immediately noticeable when it comes to Crittall-style design elements is the light potential. This minimal style makes for maximum visibility. “They allow for larger panes of glass, maximizing natural light and creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces,” says Donaldson. Being strategic in where you employ this style can help create frames around particularly stunning views or even create a feeling of being nestled into nature.

2. Draw Out Your Architectural Style

When it comes to which architectural style works best with the sleek, industrial Crittall style, almost anything goes. Whether contemporary, modern, traditional, or transitional, the sleek, minimalist lines of these windows and doors provide ample light to highlight a home’s unique elements. Donaldson points out that the sophisticated edge of Crittall-style can wonderfully blend with more classic styles, providing a contemporary flair.

“Despite their sleek disposition, the window’s multiple mullions make them hugely versatile,” says Samantha Stathis Lynch, New York-based interior designer and founder of Samantha Ware Designs. “They fit just as seamlessly into countryside barns as they do into urban brownstones because they allow the doors to come in and flood even the darkest of spaces with light.” The designer says they work particularly well in spaces where they can both balance out more traditional-style homes while also providing visual interest.

3. Let Them Shine

Crittall-style windows and doors can be chameleons when it comes to working with different design styles, but they can be just as versatile when it comes to their role. “They give a hard, geometric edge to any space, and since they aren't overly styled or embellished, they can easily be the star of the show or a supporting character depending on how they are styled,” says Scott.

While they certainly deserve their moment in the sun, using them throughout your house can also mean allowing them to take a more secondary role in some situations. Use a Crittall-style front door as a focal point on the front of the home, then call on a scaled-down version on the back of the house.

4. Create Definition in Your Home

With the popularity of open floor plans, you might be trying to counterbalance that wide-open feel with a bit more definition. That’s where an unexpected hit of Crittall style can come into play. “Whether being used as a dividing wall in a city loft or on the back of a Victorian townhouse, the frame's airiness and ability to bring in natural light make them perfect for everyday living,” says Lynch. Not only can it create delineation within a home, but it can do so without compromising light filtration—and with a sleek, industrial nod to boot.

5. Go Big in the Bath

“One of my favorite applications I have seen for this is using a Crittall-inspired shower door or shower surround,” says Scott. “You can even get shower doors with black panes at big-box home improvement stores.” Scott says the impact Crittall-style elements can have in a space might seem to warrant a much higher budget, but it is possible to make it work with a smaller investment—if you’re willing to think outside the box. If full doors and windows won’t work for your budget, space, or situation, consider elements with Crittall-style influence like mirrors, picture frames, or other decor items.

6. DIY It

If you want a Crittall-style look in your home without the commitment, take a page out of Scott’s book and DIY it. “At my last home, I used black electrical tape on my existing windows to achieve that look on my paneless windows, and painted the panes of my other windows black,” he says. “It’s really inexpensive but very impressive looking!”

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