Image: Clair Strong Interior Design

Bringer of natural light, purveyor of glorious views: the window is an often overlooked (pun intended) part of the home. We put up some curtains or blinds and maybe add a few ornaments or plants to the sills, but otherwise they’re ignored. Most of us don’t even clean them as often as we should (guilty!).

But surely we can do more? Here are some ways to spruce up your windows and make them a feature rather than an afterthought:

Curtains, Blinds and Shutters

Let’s start with the most obvious way to improve the look of your windows. Most people think of window coverings as purely functional, but they should also be considered a design asset.

Not just for offering privacy and helping control light levels, curtains, blinds and shutters add much more than practicality to a room. They bring style, texture and warmth, they can provide a splash of colour or serve as a neutral background – they’re endlessly versatile.

Go Naked

If you have big, beautiful windows and a stunning view (and you’re not overlooked by the neighbours) consider ditching the coverings altogether. There’s not much that needs to be said here, I’ll let the image above do the talking.

Paint the Frames

Window frames are almost always neutral; usually white, occasionally brown and very rarely black. But do you know what looks incredible? Bucking that trend, getting the paint brush out and trying a bold colour instead. The yellow frame above looks really striking, but if you prefer to keep things subtle try a ‘new neutral’ like grey, blue or pale green instead.

Give Them a (Multi-) Purpose

Go for old school charm with a practical twist and create a window seat with added storage. Bay windows are perfect for converting but any window works.

I’ve also seen window sills turned into mini desks and breakfast bars installed across panes. It just gives that unused space directly in front of windows some purpose which is particularly useful in small spaces.