Give Plain Windowsills A Charming Oak-Look Finish With This Simple DIY

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Windows are one of those elements of the home that sometimes get overlooked, apart from what dressings we hang on them. The truth is, we look at them every day, and the color you use to frame them impacts the overall aesthetic of a room. If you're tired of looking at plain white sills and ledges, you can add a pop of color and turn any window into a feature with a few simple upgrades, such as adding oak wood trim. Not handy with a hammer? No problem. You don't have to cut or nail anything to get this look if you're willing to get a little creative with some paint and a brush.

The magic behind this illusory DIY is all in the furniture finishing wax. It goes on over a matte paint, and the way it coats the sill creates the look of a wood grain. You can use any shade from natural to dark. Different brands offer different finishes and colors, making it easy to match the rest of the wood items in your home and create a rich trim that ties the room together. Rather than leaving things plain, you can add instant charm to a boring window with this beginner-friendly DIY trim hack and breathe new life into any room.

To start your window rejuvenation DIY, you need to pop to the shop for a few products. These include white super matte paint, such as Rust-Oleum's Chalked Paint; a furniture finish, like Minwax Paste Finishing Wax; a paintbrush; and a paint tray. You'll also want a rag to buff the wax with after it dries. With these products assembled, you're ready to create a beautiful DIY wooden window sill to highlight the view – or at least one that looks wooden.

Clean the surface to make sure there's no debris to get caught in the paint. Next, prime the window ledge with white chalk paint. Let this dry down completely. For Rust-Oleum, the dry time is two to four hours, but this varies, so check your paint can to be sure. Next, brush on the wax in a thin coat, and buff it with a dry cloth or rag. You can also experiment with a dry brush to add more texture and create the illusion of wood grain. To add longevity to your finished look, coat the whole thing in a protective clear coat like Rust-Oleum Clear Chalked Top Coat from stores like Home Depot. Play with the look of your windows by either doing only the bottom ledge or painting the entire trim to get a finish you love. Add curtains or blinds, and you'll feel like you've got a whole new oak-trimmed window with no sawing or nailing needed.