An Interior Design Expert Explains How To Style Your Windows To Make Them Look Bigger
Windows are the one feature that can be seen from both the interior and exterior of the home. Large windows allow natural light to flow in, which can be beneficial to both the interior design and your health. Designers at the SIT Furniture Design Award note that natural light helps create an uplifting mood and allows you to easily highlight the materials you use in your décor. Sunlight also raises serotonin, which can have major benefits for your health (via PBS).
Floor-to-ceiling windows aren't possible for every home, yet, you can create the appearance of larger windows with tricks that will make them look taller and allow them to become a feature of the room without needing to undergo an extensive renovation. It's as simple as having the right products and understanding a few interior design principles. In an exclusive interview with House Digest, Danielle Nash, designer and project director with Freemodel, explains how you can transform your windows and make them look larger without having to replace them.
Utilize patterned print fabrics to create the illusion of larger windows
Curtains help dress up the window, but you want to ensure you're using the right fabrics. "As a designer, my job is to utilize various elements to create the intended illusion of whichever look or style I'm trying to achieve," explains Nash. "The majority of the time this is achieved by manipulating focal points. If your windows are too short and it's more height you're trying to achieve, use a curtain with a vertical pattern. If you're trying to add width, go with a horizontal pattern." These lines will draw the eyes up or out, giving the impression of either taller or wider windows.
You may also want to opt for more color and heavy fabrics. Lighter colors, particularly if they match the walls, can make a window appear larger, according to Window Work Studio. Another well-used trick is to hang your curtain rod higher. If you do this, go for thicker fabrics as they look more professional and can frame the window better rather than something flimsy that would, instead, draw attention to the tricks at play within the space.
Resist the urge to paint your window frame in a contrasting color
Contrasting colors are often employed to highlight a feature, but contrast doesn't help if you're trying to make windows appear larger. In fact, the opposite is true. "Painting the frame in a different color than your walls will make your windows appear smaller," Nash says. "It will not only outline the actual size of your windows, but it can also make them look smaller as it draws the eye to what the frame is outlining." This will happen with any style of window, regardless of its frame type.
"If you are looking to make your windows look bigger, this is one area where matching the trim to the shade of your walls will benefit you," the designer continues. "It will draw attention away from the exact size of your windows. Why? Using the same color eliminates any kind of visual border and makes the window appear as an extension of the wall — thus making it look larger." In a case where you do want some contrast, choose colors that only have a slight difference. It's the stark contrast of light walls and dark trim that you want to avoid.
Put furniture in the right place
Interior design is also about choosing the optimal location for your furniture and corresponding décor. "Furniture placement can have a huge impact on the perceived size of your windows," Nash stresses. "For example, if you have a window that is placed in the center of the wall, do not put any furniture in front of it that blocks any part of it as it will make it look smaller." Placing furniture in front of a window can also block natural light, which can make the room as a whole appear darker and smaller.
Consider the shape of the window and choose furniture placement that complements it. "If you have a long and skinny window, framing [it] with furniture can give the illusion of a larger window," explains Nash. "Placing two armchairs, [one] on each side just where the window ends, can give the illusion that the window stretches beyond the chairs." In general, though, still do your best to avoid blocking a large portion of the window with furniture.
The simplest and easiest hack of all
Not every solution involves sneaky interior design tactics. "This last trick is the easiest and won't cost you a dollar: Keep your windows clean!" asserts Nash. "Dirty windows will draw attention to the size, and as mentioned before, the more light, the larger the appearance of the window." Clean glass allows the outside to flow inside, creating a more open appearance and feel.
"Streaky or dust-filled windows block the light and ultimately decrease the perceived size," mentions Nash. Ensure that both the inside and outside of the windows are clean and free of streaks for optimal results. To get them as clean as possible, Reader's Digest suggests first spraying a glass cleaner down the center of the window to avoid ruining non-glass surfaces. A dry microfiber towel will clean the window and ensure you're not leaving behind any lint. To buff away any leftover streaks, move in a circular motion with a lint-free cloth. Using a one-to-one ratio of clean water and fabric softener can keep your windows dust free, says Clean Sweet Supply. Again, use a microfiber cloth to prevent streaks.