Every room needs a focal point. While most people think of using a piece of furniture as the anchor in design, like a four-poster bed or a banquet table, a focal point can be something as simple as what is already in the room—specifically, a window!
Windows naturally command attention as conduits of natural light and "frames" for the beauty of the outdoors. However, by following the simple design tips listed below, you can elevate your windows from elusively elegant to effortlessly eye-catching. Here's how!
Elevate the Appearance of Your Beautiful Windows with These Helpful Interior Design Tips
1. Spruce Up Your Moldings
Do you have any interior window moldings (also known as window trim)? If so, its decorative features can be a great way to draw eyes to your windows! If you don't have moldings, you can consider installing some around any windows you would like to turn into focal points in your home. The kitchen, bedroom, and living room windows are excellent spots to add molding!
If you already have molding, clean it of dirt, dust, and grime, and consider sprucing it up with a fresh coat of paint. White is usually a good choice for molding, but if your walls are already white, you can choose a bolder color. Additionally, switching the style or profile of molding can also draw more attention to your windows, enhancing their overall visual impact.
2. Hang Some Beautiful Curtains
Curtains are probably the most obvious window additions to create an eye-catching appearance. They can play a significant role in enhancing the visual impact of any window. By extending curtain rods beyond the window frame, you can create the illusion of a larger window, making it a more prominent feature in the room. Additionally, the right choice of curtains can bring bold colors, patterns, or textures into the space, transforming an otherwise plain window into a true focal point.
Sheer curtains, in particular, are perfect for homeowners who want to preserve the natural light in a room while still framing the window beautifully. They allow sunlight to filter through, creating a soft, airy glow without overwhelming the space. When paired with heavier drapes, they offer flexibility, letting you adjust light and privacy as needed. Curtains can also highlight unique architectural details of windows, adding personality and character to the home, ensuring windows become a central element of the room's design. However, it is important to note that curtains that are too short, long, small, or large for your windows might look awkward and draw the wrong sort of attention to them.
3. Consider the Furniture Placement
How you position your furniture can either enhance (or detract from) your window's overall appeal. Small, intentional changes to the placement of each furniture piece can go a long way!
For example, create a cozy breakfast nook under the kitchen's bright, beautiful bay window or angle the living room furniture around a panoramic picture window. In the master bedroom, place the bed between the two equally spaced double-hung windows, and in the bathroom, situate the clawfoot bathtub in front of a stylish window with frosted glass.
4. Decorate with Indoor Plants
Indoor house plants are an attractive way to draw attention to your windows, naturally framing them and adding depth to the space. Tall plants or hanging planters can emphasize the height and structure of the window, while grouping plants of varying sizes creates layers of interest. This layering effect draws the eye towards the window, making it a central feature in the room's design. Place potted plants on a large windowsill or fill floating shelves with succulents and house plants of all shapes and sizes. You can even hang plants from the ceiling to draw attention to your windows.
Plants also help highlight the window as a source of natural light, creating a connection between the indoors and outdoors. The greenery softens the hard lines of the window frame, balancing the overall look. Even if the view outside isn't ideal, indoor plants can shift the focus inward, making the window and its surrounding greenery the centerpiece of the room. Besides drawing attention, windows are a great place to put plants, as they'll receive plenty of natural light to grow and flourish. As an added bonus, plants can reduce stress, improve indoor air quality, and bring the beauty of the outdoors inside.
5. Choose a New Frame Color
Fresh, new frames can significantly impact the noticeability of your windows! This is especially true if your frames are currently the same shade (or similar) as the walls, like white windows with off-white walls. If you want your windows to stand out, consider a pop of contrasting color. For example, dark frames against light walls create a striking contrast, highlighting the window as a design feature rather than just a functional element.
Choosing a color that complements the interior décor can tie the window into the room's overall style, creating a cohesive and polished look. A fresh frame color can also enhance the view outside, as it acts like a picture frame, drawing the eye both to the window and beyond. Changing the window frame color is an easy way to redefine the space and give the window more presence.
Not all windows are meant to be painted, so in order to achieve the best results, read up on best practices for your frame material and brand before getting started. If you're thinking about replacing your windows, be sure to consider the color you want for the frames. Not all window materials are suitable for painting, and some frames may not perform as well with darker colors. Choosing the right color and material can impact both the appearance and durability of your windows.
6. Switch the Window Style
If you feel like curtains, plants, and furniture won't make enough of a statement to draw attention to your windows, installing new windows might be in order. Different window styles have different levels of design appeal and impact, and some are more eye-catching than others.
For example, if your home only has standard-size double-hung windows, replacing a few with an alternative style can improve their noticeability.
Picture windows offer large, unobstructed views and natural light, creating a bright, serene atmosphere.
Bay windows protrude from the home's exterior, creating more indoor space and cozy breakfast nooks.
Awning windows are eye-catching additions above kitchen sinks or in bathrooms, providing ventilation.
Window backsplashes and pass-through windows improve indoor-outdoor living, making spaces more functional and stylish.
Finally, if you really want to draw attention to your windows, don't forget about non-traditional options. Window backsplashesare becoming popular in kitchen design, and pass-through windows are a fun and functional way to improve your home's indoor-outdoor living experience, making it easy to move food and drinks from the kitchen to the deck or patio.
Get More Inspiration for Styling Your Windows from North Georgia Replacement Windows
Whether you want to draw attention to your windows with new furniture placement, trendy curtains, or a refreshed color or style, getting design ideas from other Georgia homeowners is a great place to start! Take a peek at our photo gallery of past window installation projects to see how other homeowners have styled their beautiful, durable Infinity by Marvin® windows. Contact us today to schedule your free proposal or visit us in our Alpharetta, Georgia showroom.
Summary
Windows are more than functional elements—they can serve as striking focal points in any room. By enhancing window moldings, adding curtains, strategically placing furniture, decorating with indoor plants, updating the frame color, or switching window styles, homeowners can elevate their interior design while highlighting natural light and outdoor views. Whether you choose picture windows, bay windows, awning windows, or innovative pass-through windows, thoughtful styling turns your windows into eye-catching features. North Georgia Replacement Windows provides design inspiration and durable Infinity by Marvin® windows to create beautiful, functional, and energy-efficient focal points in your home.
Windows can serve as natural focal points in any room.
Enhance window moldings or install new trim to draw attention.
Use curtains strategically to create larger, eye-catching windows.
Adjust furniture placement to highlight windows and natural light.
Decorate with indoor plants to frame windows and add depth.
Update frame colors to make windows stand out or complement décor.
Consider switching window styles for added visual impact.
