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A window, at first glance, might seem like a solely practical physical object that lets in light and air into our buildings and allows us to see what is happening outside. However, due to its ability to connect inside to the outside, it has acquired a deeper meaning, especially in art and literature where an opening in the wall symbolizes communication, liberation, hope, opportunity, and even escapism.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when everyone was confined between four walls, a view from a window could suddenly provide people with all of this and more. Seeing an opportunity to connect people during trying times, Barbara Duriau created the Facebook group ‘View From My Window,' encouraging its members to capture scenes from the comfort of their homes and share them with others so they could vicariously travel through them and break out of their isolation. Now there are more than 3.8 million people who continue to share the most incredible views through their windows, which you can find in the list below!

While you’re taking in their beauty, make sure to check out a conversation with founders of WindowSwap, Sonali Ranjit and Vaishnav Balasubramaniam, who kindly agreed to tell us about the inspiration behind their project, where people are also invited to share their views from their windows.

#1

Ravensdale - Ireland. Sunset, Our First Neighbours, Literally Our Window View!

Ravensdale - Ireland. Sunset, Our First Neighbours, Literally Our Window View!

Lily Walker Report

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    #2

    West Cork - Ireland

    West Cork - Ireland

    Alexandra Keane Report

    WindowSwap, similar to the Facebook group ‘View From My Window,” is a project created by two founders, Sonali Ranjit and Vaishnav Balasubramaniam, that allows people from around the world to share the views from their windows and help someone else relax, focus, meditate and travel without moving.

    The co-founders told Bored Panda that it started in May 2020, during the strictest period of the Singapore lockdown.

    #4

    Today’s Sunset @ Xlendi Gozo Malta

    Today’s Sunset @ Xlendi Gozo Malta

    Monica Farrugia Report

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    cerinamroth
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Xlendi was one of my favourite places (the memory of Xlendi anyway - I don't know if it's the same nowadays).

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    “We were feeling a little cooped up and antsy in our little one-bedroom apartment in Singapore. It had a nice but bland view overlooking a reflective glass building—not the most interesting of views. And like us, our friends in lockdown around the world, were tired of their views. 

    One of them in Barcelona posted an IG story of his gorgeous view, talking about how tired he was of it. We were joking about how we wished we could just swap places with him. And that’s when we came up with the idea—if we couldn't swap places, perhaps we could swap window views and pretend we were somewhere else for a while. The website launched on June 5th, 2020,” recalls Sonali and Vaishnav.

    #7

    First Thing I See When I Open My Eyes In The Morning. New Jersey

    First Thing I See When I Open My Eyes In The Morning. New Jersey

    Laura DeCroce Report

    #8

    Sunset, From The Balcony Of My House. Gandosso, Italia

    Sunset, From The Balcony Of My House. Gandosso, Italia

    Cinzia Manenti Report

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    #9

    View From My Livingroom Window This Morning. I'm Not So Good At Taking Pictures, So I Didn't Manage To Capture The Total Beauty Of The Colours. Sunnmøre, Norway!

    View From My Livingroom Window This Morning. I'm Not So Good At Taking Pictures, So I Didn't Manage To Capture The Total Beauty Of The Colours. Sunnmøre, Norway!

    Hilde Solibakke Report

    Now, 4 years and one pandemic later, they keep the WindowSwap alive so it could continue to be a tranquil oasis of calm on the internet. “There are those who visit WindowSwap to get rid of anxiety, teachers who use it to help students focus and learn, and those who come just to relax,” they tell us. 

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    #10

    Look At My Fantastic View Outside The Kitchen Window. This Is My Cat Akira

    Look At My Fantastic View Outside The Kitchen Window. This Is My Cat Akira

    Ellen Sørensen Report

    #12

    Good Afternoon. This Is My Backyard Scenery Today. +3c And 60cm Snow. Believe It Or Not, Summer Is Soon. Selkie, Finland

    Good Afternoon. This Is My Backyard Scenery Today. +3c And 60cm Snow. Believe It Or Not, Summer Is Soon. Selkie, Finland

    Ari Savolainen Report

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    sbj
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm very envious of this view, I could imagine myself spending a great lazy afternoon here

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    “It’s the opposite of TikTok and the rest of the manic internet, which is just one constant stream of dopamine hits. We have created a place on the internet that’s making people around the world calmer, stiller, inspired, and relaxed. What started out as a way to travel without moving has changed. Our users come to WindowSwap for various reasons—to fight anxiety, unwind, travel virtually, get inspired to travel, focus, and learn about different places and cultures,” share the creators.

    #13

    Beautiful Morning From Wicklow, Ireland

    Beautiful Morning From Wicklow, Ireland

    Anita Gibney Ryan Report

    #14

    Taken On A Visit To Caernarfon, Wales

    Taken On A Visit To Caernarfon, Wales

    Barbara Truman Report

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    #15

    View From My Hotel Room In Wengen, Switzerland

    View From My Hotel Room In Wengen, Switzerland

    Reema Patel Report

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    Robin DJW
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have no words. Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muss man schweigen.

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    WindowSwap differs from Facebook groups like "View from My Window" by showing 5 to 10 minute videos of window views of people from around the world, along with ambient sounds of their lives. “We don't just showcase views. We showcase slices of people's lives,” say Sonali and Vaishnav.

    #16

    View From My Kitchen Window, When The Wisteria Is About To Bloom. April, Novato, California USA

    View From My Kitchen Window, When The Wisteria Is About To Bloom. April, Novato, California USA

    Sally Carlile Report

    #17

    A View From My Window Last Night. Northern Norway

    A View From My Window Last Night. Northern Norway

    Grunnfoss Report

    #18

    My Window View Rituvík Faroe Islands

    My Window View Rituvík Faroe Islands

    Elna Johannesen Report

    Anyone who wants to submit their own window view can do so by recording a 5- to 10-minute, clear, high-quality video of their window view, preferably with a bit of their window frame visible. Then, find the 'submit’ button on the WindowSwap page on the bottom left, fill in the details, choose the file, hit upload and it’s done.

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    #19

    View Of Perth Australia From My Bedroom Window

    View Of Perth Australia From My Bedroom Window

    Yasmin Zara Report

    #20

    The Day Will Be What You Make It, So Rise, Like The Sun, And Burn. Phuket, Thailand

    The Day Will Be What You Make It, So Rise, Like The Sun, And Burn. Phuket, Thailand

    Mirasol Mosura Ranario Report

    #21

    This Was The View From My Room At Ponte Winery Inn In Temecula, California

    This Was The View From My Room At Ponte Winery Inn In Temecula, California

    Kim Gonzales Report

    “We hope WindowSwap gives our visitors a sense of connection and a fresh perspective on the world,” say Sonali and Vaishnav. “Our goal is to provide a moment of calm and escape while fostering empathy and understanding across cultures. We want people to experience the beauty and diversity of global views, reminding them that despite our differences, we share a common human experience. Ultimately, we aim to inspire joy, curiosity, and appreciation for both the familiar and the unknown.”

    #22

    This Is My View Of My Back Garden In Tiverton, Devon U.k

    This Is My View Of My Back Garden In Tiverton, Devon U.k

    Gwynnie Horwood Report

    #23

    Autumn Dawn In The Cariboo, British Columbia, Canada

    Autumn Dawn In The Cariboo, British Columbia, Canada

    Marilyn Buyar Report

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    TheReader19
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who wants to join me just running up and down pointlessly in this field? 🏃🏾‍♀️

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    #24

    "Chapel Of Christ By The Lake" In St. Arnaud/New Zealand

    "Chapel Of Christ By The Lake" In St. Arnaud/New Zealand

    Heiko Meserle Report

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    cerinamroth
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Absolutely gorgeous! I wouldn't get anything done if I lived here. Even curling up with a good book, I'd be putting it down every few sentences to marvel at the beauty of nature...

    In the last four years, they’ve built a vibrant community of people from all over the world who return regularly to their site, and they couldn’t be more proud of it. “We've created a simple yet powerful platform that allows people to connect and share their window views, fostering a sense of global community. Our goal has always been to provide a moment of calm and escape, while also nurturing empathy and understanding across cultures. It's heartening to see how WindowSwap has evolved from a 'quarantine project' into a meaningful space for people worldwide to experience the beauty and diversity of humanity,” say Sonali and Vaishnav, signing off. 

    #25

    View From My B&b Window In Bluff, Durban, South Africa

    View From My B&b Window In Bluff, Durban, South Africa

    Heyns van der Merwe Report

    #26

    Mount Shasta, California This Afternoon. Such Cool Friend-Ships Here

    Mount Shasta, California This Afternoon. Such Cool Friend-Ships Here

    Kathy Maloney Mathieu Report

    #27

    Sitting On The Verandah Enjoying The Sunset - Murrurundi, Australia

    Sitting On The Verandah Enjoying The Sunset - Murrurundi, Australia

    Holly Clark Report

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    cerinamroth
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyone else thinking about all the beasts that can kill you in that long grass? No? Just me?

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    #29

    View From The Windows At The Back Of My House In The Villages, Florida, USA

    View From The Windows At The Back Of My House In The Villages, Florida, USA

    Lori Heithoff Report

    #30

    View Of The Old Town Of Trogir, Croatia From My Hotel Room Balcony

    View Of The Old Town Of Trogir, Croatia From My Hotel Room Balcony

    Samana Agha Report

    Note: this post originally had 85 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.