Why Outdoor Views Matter in Modern Home Design
The stunningly beautiful landscapes of the Pacific Northwest are one of Everett’s greatest assets. Yet inside many homes, this beauty feels distant, often hidden from view by poorly optimized structures and layouts. Natural light and sightlines to incredible outside views shape our everyday comfort levels and emotional well-being. But simple redecorating won’t make these magically appear. It’s remodeling that rethinks the structural elements of your home that delivers the biggest impact. In this article, we explore what to consider when remodeling your home for better views and mood.
“When homeowners tell us they love their neighborhood but don’t feel connected to it inside their home, that’s a clear sign the design needs to change—not just the finishes,” says Ron VanderBeken, Owner & General Manager.
Removing Barriers to Better Outdoor Views
The scenic view is technically always there, but the designs of many homes work against it. Outdated window placements are a common issue. Segmented windows, smaller than current norms, were once standard and often break up sightlines that would show more trees, water, or sky.
Low ceiling heights and bulky framing also lead to a visual compression of a space and limit how far you can see. Interior walls dividing kitchens, dining rooms, and living areas may even block exterior sightlines completely, which can be frustrating when the backyard or surrounding landscapes are particularly scenic.
Then there are outside obstructions to consider. Overgrown hedges, poorly placed decks, or exterior structures that block natural light and stunning vistas work against the look, comfort, and enjoyment of your home.
In this Mill Creek home, our team removed two interior walls that separated the kitchen from the breakfast nook and family room. The result was an increase in natural daylight that transformed the space and also provided clearer views of the beautiful outdoors.
“We often walk into homes where the best views are technically there—but the layout ignores them completely,” says Jennifer VanderBeken, Owner & Director of Operations.
Reconfiguring Layouts to Capture Natural Light
Moving walls is frequently a good place to start if wanting to enjoy better views. Kitchens, dining areas, and great rooms often feature darker corners, which can affect the overall ambiance. A well-considered remodeling plan explores ways to increase natural light and align sightlines with stunning scenery.
Opening up your kitchen, dining area, and circulation paths allows daylight to penetrate deeper into the home. Even shifting a wall a few feet can completely change how a room feels. Reworking hallways and doorways often creates clearer sightlines from the front door to the backyard or water beyond.
An experienced design-build team with a solid approach can help you determine ways to eliminate visual barriers without compromising the architectural structure of your Everett property.
Just like we did in this Camano Island remodeling project, where the whole-home remodel was designed to embrace the home’s natural light and breathtaking views
“Sometimes moving a wall just a few feet or rethinking circulation can dramatically change how a home experiences the outdoors,” says Ron.
Window and Door Upgrades That Transform a Home
Once the layout of your home improves sightlines, other features can redefine what you see outside and how the surrounding landscape is framed. The installation of enlarged picture windows creates uninterrupted views of trees, flowers, sky, and natural bodies of water such as the ocean or lakes.
Corner glazing, where the window is itself the corner of the space, draws the eye outward and creates a wonderful sense of openness and light.
Sliding, folding, and multi-panel doors strengthen indoor-outdoor living design by opening entire walls to patios or decks. Even when closed, they still preserve a generous visual connection to the outdoors.
In home remodeling in Everett, the climate must guide these choices. Energy-efficient glazing, proper insulation, and frames suited to Pacific Northwest weather ensure the interior of your home feels perfectly comfortable, whatever the season.
“New windows aren’t just about size—they’re about placement, proportion, and how they frame the landscape outside,” says Jennifer.
Creating Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Transitions
Better views of the outside world can be achieved through a strong indoor-outdoor living design. This concept blurs the lines between a home’s interior and exterior, creating an almost seamless transition.
In indoor-outdoor living designs, decks, patios, and covered outdoor living areas are created so as to feel like a natural extension of the home’s primary gathering spaces. A harmonious visual flow is also achieved using consistent flooring materials, aligned ceiling lines, and coordinated finishes between the interior and exterior.
When interior flooring runs parallel to exterior decking, the eye moves smoothly from inside to outside. Covered structures can mirror rooflines and architectural details, reinforcing connection.
Part of the design-build remodeling process involves softening the visual and physical boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces, creating better views and a stronger connection to nature.
“The goal is for the transition outside to feel natural, not like you’re stepping into a separate space,” says Ron.
Why Design-Build Matters for View-Focused Remodels
A design-build approach brings architectural design, interior design, engineering, and construction together under one roof. Instead of handing plans off from one firm to another, the entire team collaborates from the beginning, addressing structural considerations during the design phase, not after construction starts. That coordination helps prevent costly surprises and keeps your project moving forward with clarity.
When you remodel to improve your views, it often involves more than swapping windows. It can mean opening exterior walls, adjusting structural elements, and rethinking how your layout flows from indoors to out. Whether you’re connecting to a covered patio, deck, yard, or outdoor kitchen, those transitions need to feel intentional and seamless.
With a unified team guiding the process, design ideas are evaluated for both beauty and feasibility at the same time. The result is a home that feels more connected to its surroundings, and thoughtfully positioned for long-term enjoyment and lasting value.
“When design and construction work together from the start, we can maximize views while protecting the integrity of the home,” says Jennifer.
Seeing Everett in a Whole New Way
High-quality home remodeling enhances every aspect of daily living and how you interact with your Everett home. When designs focus on expanding our views of the natural world around us, everything changes for the better. Uplifting morning light filters into more of the interiors, while evenings stretch a little longer when the outdoors are more visually present.
Surface and cosmetic updates can refresh a space, but they rarely address how rooms connect to their surroundings. Instead, this requires a more focused and cohesive approach that considers structure, layout, indoor-outdoor living, and features such as windows and doors.
At VanderBeken Remodel, we focus on all of these elements when homeowners desire views that enhance every aspect of their home and lifestyle. We invite you to explore what’s possible, especially if you are feeling disconnected from the beauty outside.
Plan Your Next Remodel for Better Views
VanderBeken Remodel is a trusted, family-owned home remodeling company proudly serving Snohomish County since 2007. We specialize in interior remodeling for both residential and historic homes, with a strong foundation in craftsmanship, hospitality, and building lasting relationships with the homeowners we serve.
With decades of hands-on experience in historic preservation, our team is uniquely experienced to help you navigate the balance between preserving your property’s original features and achieving your vision for a home that is more connected with the outside.
When you’re ready to transform your home while honoring its history, consult with VanderBeken Remodel—and let’s bring your vision to life with thoughtful creativity and respect for the past.