5 Easy Ways To Revamp Your Dull Window Sills
Window sills provide the foundation for window installation; however, they are often overlooked when remodeling and repairing damage to the property. These structures generally take a fearsome beating from the sun's rays, snow, and rainfall. Window sills are designed to withstand the elements, but they won't last forever in their current, worn-down state. At a bare minimum, you'll want to repaint your window sills at least as often as you tackle the exterior paint on the home, which, according to PaintRite Pros, is every 5 to 10 years on average and 4 to 7 years for wood surfaces.
But every local weather condition is different, so you'll need to take your cue from the home to find the appropriate time to make essential repairs and upgrades to your window sills. It can be challenging to find a good starting point for modernizing them, even though some basic features of the job might seem obvious. Nonetheless, revamping your dole window sills can be far less challenging with these easy tips.
1. Surface preparation and cleaning lay the groundwork
The first thing you'll need to do when repairing and restoring window sills involves cleaning. Cleaning your window sills goes a long way to keeping them in bright and appealing condition. Just as the rain and sun can deteriorate the structural integrity of your window sill, the elements also introduce grit and grime to the surface of the feature. Regularly cleaning your window sills keeps them looking fresh and new for much longer. In the same way that homeowners must clean their gutters and inspect their roofs roughly every six months, according to Roof Revivers, cleaning grime from the window sills should be a routine task that you bring into your home maintenance schedule.
On its own, cleaning is crucial for good window maintenance. Yet, when engaging in a renovation project of any type surrounding the window sills, cleaning is the first step to getting the job done correctly. With this taken care of, you can enjoy increased confidence in the tasks ahead. For instance, when painting the window sills, a clean surface will allow the fresh coat to hold for longer and without trapping dirt and debris.
2. A new coat of paint can perfect windows sill space
Paint is the first port of call when revamping any window sill around your property. Many homes use white window sills for a fresh and clean look to frame the window and contrast it with the chosen color of the house. White window sills are a time-honored classic, but anyone will tell you that white paint becomes dull faster than many color options. Maria Killam notes that white will visually shift its look throughout the day as the sun moves. As a result, white window sills will need to be repainted on a more condensed timeline. A brightly painted window sill looks beautiful and can make the façade of your home pop.
Likewise, painting the window sills is a reasonably simple solution to the problem at hand. These spaces are not very large, and many homeowners can accomplish a new coat of paint along all of their window sills in a single day or weekend. This process is a routine part of home maintenance, so pushing up the timeline to reimagine the property's aesthetic is a simple and effective way to refresh your windows without much effort.
3. Building an addition can infuse creativity
Homeowners can also make use of window sill additions for a more substantial change to the look and feel of this part of the property. An upgraded window sill is a unique home feature and can create a great talking point. In the kitchen, installing a garden or greenhouse window, for instance, can add to the storage space you enjoy in this part of the home, via Solar Innovations. This expanded window is also fantastic for homeowners looking to support an indoor herb garden but has trouble finding space that allows for enough sunlight while keeping plant pots out of the way.
Another option is expanding the window sill element to include new storage shelving. In the same way a built-in bookshelf can envelop a living room TV, making for customized storage and decorative solution, you can expand upon your window sill's footprint in any room. This will create a unique visual space perfect for storing belongings and decorating the area in any way you see fit.
4. Consider interior wallpaper as a new feature
Wallpaper is often thought of in old-fashioned and limited terms. But wallpaper can be used in various areas and ways to create a wonderful world of fun and adventure. Veranda notes that wallpaper remains a treasured addition to the home, even as homeowners discount the value of this decorative option. Homeowners use peel-and-stick wallpaper in several innovative ways, including flooring elements and accent walls or ceiling spaces. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is an excellent option for renters who don't have the capability of drastically altering a property.
But this feature can also factor into your window sill design for an impactful and easy-to-change stylistic addition. Alternatively, you could use traditional wallpaper if you've settled on a particular style, color, or design pattern. Wallpapering the window sill acts as a sort of trim for the room and can invite a unique new flair that changes how you experience the space and the activities that occur there.
5. Decorate the windowsill for a unique personalization
Lastly, decorating essential spaces in your home with your unique sense of style is vital. Homeowners and renters place picture frames and artwork around their homes on a routine basis. People who travel often collect tokens of their time in faraway cities or countries, placing them on desks, TV stands, and throughout the house to remind them of their adventures. Also, homeowners often bring indoor plants into their living space to provide a flash of green and the aesthetic of life thriving.
The Royal Horticultural Society notes that indoor plants also offer natural support for physical and mental wellbeing. While table-like features of the home are often used to support these decorative elements, the window sill should also be considered a platform for personalization. Window sills often exist at eye level when sitting down, or standing in bathrooms or kitchens, making it a great space to add personalization and decorative elements. A potted plant, family photos, or mementos from beautiful times that you've had in the past can make for a significant update to your otherwise drab window sill.