How To Decorate High Windows

[photo above: Emily Hertz] Happy Fri!!! Here we are smack dab in the middle of the holidays, and I'thousand popping into your earth to share a little interior inspo. But first, do yous follow me on Facebook? My friend Claudia Ricciardone of Claudia Josephine Pattern and I have been chatting via Facebook Live each Friday effectually apex. We talk about design trends, tips, and help you address design dilemmas yous might have. Today we're both at our kiddos' holiday activities, and won't be chatting on FB, and so we wanted to address this challenge here instead.

Nosotros would honey for you to submit your Design Dilemma by messaging u.s.a. on FB or sending an email. We'll address i each week!

Here's the challenge nosotros're tackling today:

"The house we're moving to has small, loftier upwardly windows in the bedrooms. I'm not certain what type of window coverings to use. I don't accept any pictures just I went over this morn to take measurements. They are 41" beyond and 83" from the top of the window to the floor. Should I employ defunction to the floor? No thought."

Can't you but picture those high windows? I seem them often around here, mostly in mid century homes. Though I've seen them in new builds, likewise…often in bedrooms. Yous may have seen them in basements, besides. They are sometimes called clerestory windows.

As we see it, there are four approaches to take regarding these loftier, small windows.

Tiny window Approach #ane: Inside mount shades or shutters

Every bit seen at the top of this post, Emily Hertz used custom plantation shutters for her high windows. This is a super simple and clean approach. Have a set of custom shades or shutters made to fit in the window. (Past the way, hither'south a link to my favorite cheap natural shades. They are custom made to your specifications -with loads of terminate options- and won't suspension the banking company!). This gives a archetype look, and works well if yous are "grounding" the window with accordingly scaled article of furniture below. Detect the walls in the examples below are filled with beds and night stands. The drawback is, yous lose natural light by blocking a expert portion of that lil' window.

Image via Better Homes and Gardens

Modest Window Arroyo #two: Long drapery panels

Adding floor-length curtain panels will help bring visual pinnacle to the room. They describe the eye upward and add a skilful dose of texture. You should mount the rods at least 10-12″ outside of the width of the window so they don't block the lite when they're open up.

This would be a lovely way to frame the bed, if the bed tin become below the window. A high headboard would assist fill that awkward wall space between the pillows and window.

Image via Oahusix

Petty Window Approach #3: Long drapery panels + a distraction

Hanging vertical art below the window kind of tricks the middle and mimics the look of a larger window. The drapes frame the window + art beautifully.

Jennifer Reynolds Interiors

Take it a step further with even more of a trompe-fifty'œil and hang a mirror directly beneath the window. The mirror will reflect light, and you can hibernate the edges of the window and mirror with the drapes. Layer in furniture and accessories to totally distract from the smallness.

Image via Decorologist

Aaaand, Approach #4: Add height above the window

If your lil' windows are along a footpath or if long drapes would be cumbersome, you can likewise add visual height by hanging a valance or roman shade above the window. Be sure the bottom border of the material covers the meridian of the window molding.

Image via Palmer Weiss

Image via Georgia Domicile Staging on Houzz

There you have it! Four options to improve the await of small, high windows. I hope this helps our #designdilemma client encounter that those windows don't have to feel so odd.