Window dressing 

Often windows are the most neglected areas at home but there is a plethora of options to make them glamorous    

Decorating your home can be a tedious task. From deciding on the furniture to the colour of the walls, following a décor theme....there are countless elements to be taken care of. In this process, more often than not, people tend to ignore windows, but making them glamorous is not so tough.  

The look
Though the most popular window style now is glass, interior decorator Medini Damle says that wooden windows are making a comeback. “A lot of people prefer an old world charm to their home. We use the typical wooden shutters that have glass on the upper part to bring in natural light and breeze.” Damle says. 
These windows can be painted in the colour that goes with the rest of the décor and can also have customised designs on them. Interior designer Sameer Chaubal says, “There are various ways to design a window. Using pinewood frame as border with distressed paint gives it a rustic look. We can also polish or paint the frame with different colours to match with the décor.”

Up the curtain game
Other than practical purpose, curtains are the most popular way to decorate windows. Unlike a few years ago when curtains available were of standard design and type, there are a lot of choices and designs available in the market today like Roman blinds, American blinds, Roller blinds, Venetian blinds, Eyelets, etc. These blinds come in a variety of materials like fabric, metal, plastic, PVC, vinyl, bamboo, aluminium fins and even wood. Depending on the décor theme, one can choose the material and design. The blinds require low maintenance and are easy to use.   

Horizontal or vertical blinds take up minimum space and are best suited for windows with very little space to place traditional bar and hook curtains.   

Lighting it up
The most effective way to decorate with lights is to use LED strips. These strips are cost effective and  are available in local electrical shops too. The length of the strip can be customised and one can choose from a variety of colours and sizes depending on the décor theme. “One can also use lights that we use during Diwali or rice lights to accessorise the window grill. These lights look beautiful and are cost effective too,” Chaubal adds. 

He also suggests using bird cages as a décor item. The cages are readily available in the market and can be painted as per the colour required. “Adding a bunch of rice lights in the cage will make the window area look charming,” says Chaubal. 

A place to unwind
Windows are not only a source of light and wind but a perfect place to enjoy your morning cuppa or unwind after a tiring day. Bay windows are low in height and have a protruding ledge that can accommodate seating. The ledge can have a wooden or marble top, and can be adorned with colourful cushions. One can also add a false ceiling and illuminate the area with spot lights.  

Window ledges can also be used as storage space. Damle says, “I usually suggest my clients to astutely use the available space and camouflage it rather than create cupboards that take up a lot of space.” 

Gardens by the window
Living in highrises nowadays, most people miss out on private gardens. To beat the space issue, the latest trend is vertical gardens or hanging planters. Small pots can be fixed or hooked to the wall outside the window in a vertical manner. These pots are generally made from polymers or terracotta. Chaubal says that if there is space available, one can also plant creepers like bougainvillea. 

One more option is to use trays to keep the pots that can fit in the window sill or grill area. “A variety of flowering plants like chrysanthemum, zinnia, roses can be sowed to make the window look pretty,” adds Chaubal.