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Windowsills are often forgotten about when it comes to decorating windows. Get the most out of your windowsill and don't let it go to waste! To decorate your kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom windowsill, just space out your favorite decorations! If you really want to make your windowsill pop, consider painting it or adding curtains.

  1. 1

    Decorate your kitchen windowsill with cooking accessories. This is the perfect way to double your windowsill as a storage unit and a decorative piece! Instead of hiding your butcher block or marble mortar and pestle set, show them to the world![1]

    • For example, place a cookbook on one end of the sill and a jar full of kitchen utensils at the other. You can also set a cute pair of salt and pepper shakers in between them.

  2. 2

    Put plants on your kitchen or bathroom windowsill. Plants are a great, natural way to brighten up your room and windowsill. Well-watered plants signify health and nature, which is perfect for a clean kitchen or sparkling bathroom. The amount you need to water your plants will vary on the type.[2]

    • Use fake plants, like silk flowers, if you aren't good with watering your plants regularly.[3]
    • If you want a pop of color, consider decorating your windowsill with bright and colorful flowers. But, if you're going for a classic look, use green plants.[4]
    • Think about the potting for your plants! Use a brown flower pot for a classic look or a glass jar for a clean look. You can also use fun bottles to hold your plants.
    • Don't be afraid to use more than one plant. You could even equally space 3 or 4 of the same plant on your windowsill.

  3. 3

    Furnish your bathroom windowsill with bathroom products. Try to pick pretty, bright, and relaxing items to put on display. Use nicely packaged beauty products, like nail polish, perfume, or facial creams to decorate your windowsill. You can also use essential oils, candles, and scent diffusers for a spa vibe.[5]

    • Try grouping your decorations together to add more depth to your windowsill. Consider putting together a corner display on your windowsill consisting of some nice candles, bath salts, and some lavender oil.

  4. 4

    Enhance your bedroom windowsill with trinkets, art, and photography. You can use things like picture frames, bottles, clocks, books, jars, bowls, antiques, and figurines to liven up your windowsill. This is a great way to add dimension to your room while showing off your personality!

    • Space them geometrically for an orderly look or randomly for a more creative look. Group items together for a more stylish look.

  5. 5

    Create a reading nook for a bedroom or spare room. Not all windowsills have a window seat, but if yours does, it's the perfect place to create your own reading getaway. Place comfy pillows and blankets on your ledge. If you have space, set out a few of your favorite books.[6]

    • For reading at night, consider adding a small light or lamp.

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    Scrape the old paint off of the windowsill. Lay a towel, drop cloth, or newspapers down to catch fallen paint flecks. Use a scraper, putty knife, or 5-in-1 painter's tool to lift up the peeling paint and scrape it off.[7]

    • If the paint on your windowsill isn't peeling, you don't have to scrape anything off.
    • Don't force off paint if it isn't scraping off easily.

  2. 2

    Fill in holes and dents with spackle. Evenly apply spackle putty or paste to any areas in the wood that are damaged. You can use the same tool that you used to scrape off the old paint. Let the spackle dry completely before continuing. This usually takes a few hours.[8]

    • Don't apply too much spackle. It should be even with the sill.

  3. 3

    Sand your windowsill. Once the spackle is completely dry, use medium-grit sandpaper to smooth the spackle down to the same height as the windowsill. Then, lightly sand the entire windowsill to prep it for painting.[9]

    • Wear goggles while sanding to protect your eyes.
    • If there is still paint on your windowsill, sand it until the paint's sheen is gone.

  4. 4

    Clean the windowsill with white vinegar. Wipe down the windowsill with a vinegar-soaked sponge. This'll clean the windowsill and remove dust. Then, wash off the vinegar with a water-soaked sponge.[10]

  5. 5

    Prep the windowsill edges with painter's tape. Place long pieces of painter's tape along the edges of the inner and outer rims of the windowsill and window paneling. Make sure the tape is placed right up against the wood, so you don't get any paint on your walls. Instead, the tape will catch any extra paint, while simultaneously making straight lines.[11]

    • If you don't have painter's tape, use petroleum jelly or lip balm. Just rub a cotton swab in the jelly or lip balm and trace the inner and outer corners of the windowsill.[12]
    • Use as many pieces of painter's tape as you need to cover the entire perimeter of the inner and outer edges.

  6. 6

    Prime the wood with wood primer. This is only necessary if you scraped the old paint off of your windowsill. Line the entirety of your windowsill with wood primer. For ultimate precision, use an angled brush to apply the wood primer.[13]

    • Use any medium or large sized angled brush.

  7. 7

    Let the wood primer dry. This should take around 3 hours. However, if you are in a humid or cold place, it may take longer. Also, if you applied a thick layer of wood primer, you may have to wait longer for it to dry completely.[14]

  8. 8

    Paint the windowsill. Dip an angled paintbrush in the semi-gloss paint color of your choice. Then, paint long strokes onto your windowsill. There is no set amount of strokes you should paint, so just continue painting until the windowsill is completely covered in paint and you've reached the color shade that you want. When painting, keep your strokes light and thin.[15]

    • Don't add too much paint. Doing so will make it harder to dry and easier to be bruised.
    • Use durable paint. You don't want it to chip or fade easily!

  9. 9

    Let the paint dry completely. It will feel dry after 1 to 2 hours, but you should wait 4 hours before adding any optional extra layers of paint. After 2 weeks, your paint should be dry. However, if you live in a humid or cold place, it may take up to 30 days.[16]

  10. 10

    Remove the painter's tape. Just pull off the tape and throw it away. If you use lip balm or petroleum jelly, take a towel or paper towel and wipe it off. Once removed, let the paint dry completely.[17]

  1. 1

    Measure your windowsill. Use a tape measure to measure the width of your windowsill. Multiply this number by 1.5 or 2 to create a billowy and textured look with more fabric. Then, measure the length of your windowsill and add 4 in (10 cm) to the top. The extra 4 in (10 cm) takes into consideration the height of the mounting block, which should be covered by the curtains.[18]

  2. 2

    Get your curtains and curtain rods. Pick designs and sizes that work for you and your dimensions. Decide if you want your windowsill to pop or blend in with your room decor.[19]

    • If you want your curtains to blend, pick a curtain color that is a few shades darker or lighter than the room color. But, if you're looking to make your windowsill pop, choose patterned or textured curtains.
    • Use curtains that are 63 in (160 cm) long to have the cloth fall just above the windowsill. This length is great for more casual rooms, like your bedroom or the kitchen. Curtains that are 84 in (210 cm), on the other hand, will fall just under the sill. This is still a casual look, but it lengthens the appearance of the window. Longer curtain lengths, like 96 in (240 cm), will fall closer the floor.[20]

  3. 3

    Mark your mounting brackets. You should place these 4 in (10 cm) above the top of the windowsill and 1 in (2.5 cm) to 3 in (7.6 cm) to the side. Once you've securely placed your mounting brackets, mark the screw holes with a pencil.[21]

    • For extra precision, line up a carpenter's bracket with the side of the mount.

  4. 4

    Drill a pilot hole. Take a drill and carefully drill a hole where you placed the pencil mark in the mounting brackets. Be sure to drill carefully. Going to quickly can lead to you drilling a hole that's slightly off or drilling your fingers! Keep your hands out of the way and wear goggles.[22]

    • The drill size will vary depending on how big the anchors are that came with the curtains. Make sure that they correlate.

  5. 5

    Insert the anchor and screws. Put anchors in the holes you just drilled. Then, put the mounting brackets back in place and secure them to the wall by driving the screws into the anchors. Use the screws that came with the curtains and make sure they are tight![23]

  6. 6

    Slide on your curtains. Face the seam towards the back and slowly insert the curtain rod into the holes in your curtains. Once the curtains are completely on the rod, twist on the finials on both ends of the rod to secure the curtains.[24]

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Things You'll Need

  • Kitchen accessories
  • Plants
  • Beauty Products
  • Candles
  • Scented diffusers
  • Antiques or trinkets
  • Books
  • Scraper
  • Spackle Paste or Putty
  • Medium-Grit Sandpaper
  • Angled Brush
  • Wood Primer
  • Semi-gloss Paint
  • Curtains
  • Curtain Rods
  • Curtain Mounts
  • Nail Anchors
  • Nails
  • Drill
  • Screwdriver

  • There is no right way to decorate a windowsill. Trust your style and intuition to make your perfect windowsill.

  • Think about your windowsill design before decorating it.

  • Adding too much to a windowsill can make it seem overly crowded. Limit the amount of decor you use.

References

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