Simple window treatments for basement windows

Basement windows are often a  challenge to decorate because they are usually small,  spaced, and high on the wall - a recipe for  decorating disaster.   This post provides solutions for these problem windows based on the premise that  simple is best.  Keeping things light and airy will not draw attention to the negatives of  small size and awkward placement.  All links  to these spaces can be found on my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/mryall/window-treatments-basements/">Pinterest board .</a><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweHA0wbfpmDnJlXwGgGqiInj2Vaw2Pjcq1vYNA6NTRou-qprq061fKRtrxyEc-eQwPUNgwemUB-V_-JszE61Qt8QiKXIYP323-AADeKSGUI4J3PIX8fN3bYjL0KZiUoew_Ug_wq6fG-l4/s1600/basement-windows-shutters-valances.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="shutters window treatments basement windows valance" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweHA0wbfpmDnJlXwGgGqiInj2Vaw2Pjcq1vYNA6NTRou-qprq061fKRtrxyEc-eQwPUNgwemUB-V_-JszE61Qt8QiKXIYP323-AADeKSGUI4J3PIX8fN3bYjL0KZiUoew_Ug_wq6fG-l4/s1600/basement-windows-shutters-valances.jpg" title="Simple window treatments for basement windows " width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shutters and  valances  work when windows are a little larger<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">This space would work equally well without the valances if you like a less layered look. Keeping everything light also detracts from the high placement as you can see in this space and the one below.</span></div><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvz2cKEFxKi3LEF5PN_H2P9ME5BDw4-LmpnQUNj4Mn6wuYlmDESsKbdCZeURQAUqc8t3goMk1l3kH2biDCaVVu3f4ucxRzNFAfrk4kXGSl-ZifJ1qGpwoQwMFA4GhrYh7FrN4Gzgq82-l/s1600/blinds-basement-window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="blinds basement windows coverings " border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvz2cKEFxKi3LEF5PN_H2P9ME5BDw4-LmpnQUNj4Mn6wuYlmDESsKbdCZeURQAUqc8t3goMk1l3kH2biDCaVVu3f4ucxRzNFAfrk4kXGSl-ZifJ1qGpwoQwMFA4GhrYh7FrN4Gzgq82-l/s1600/blinds-basement-window.jpg" title=" Simple window treatments for basement windows" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White blinds on a white wall</td></tr></tbody></table>One of my favourite looks for a basement space is to keep everything light and add  darks in art or accessories. White faux wood blinds are very functional because they let light in and provide some privacy in the daytime.  In this room the floor acts as a great foil for all the lightness and the hits of dark in art and furniture break up the space.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPniNDOf9sTcGlkvtp505dLX6fondAkqzDfW-qR3FTJI3IwwIzAunRjRfPOeQPDbCgC5lSfzcUIa_e8DuVRz1spAx3nbQhjB5dAtd8E9ycVte2y4YIrnJJsPbdwY7-I-NWm8Wf8hPUJ77T/s1600/centered-shuttered-basement-windows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="shutters basement window treatments simple " border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPniNDOf9sTcGlkvtp505dLX6fondAkqzDfW-qR3FTJI3IwwIzAunRjRfPOeQPDbCgC5lSfzcUIa_e8DuVRz1spAx3nbQhjB5dAtd8E9ycVte2y4YIrnJJsPbdwY7-I-NWm8Wf8hPUJ77T/s1600/centered-shuttered-basement-windows.jpg" title=" Simple window treatments for basement windows" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple  light shutters add light and privacy </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nothing works better than functional shutters in a basement. They are sleek and unobtrusive and look tidy.  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8BHZhL-wsxVccZ3t9bo5Zs82qH52NMloWAd_klMwcwpgP4jjDVN1WmAba6CpGqX5uRRhyphenhyphen-yZ9FV1k4MtM1E-Gh5C-WxSd6cY6t6vedf5AJFvpw2tWEZvxJ0J-kn3iWnLou3qmMIkyAV6/s1600/etched-window-basement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etched glass simple basement window treatments" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8BHZhL-wsxVccZ3t9bo5Zs82qH52NMloWAd_klMwcwpgP4jjDVN1WmAba6CpGqX5uRRhyphenhyphen-yZ9FV1k4MtM1E-Gh5C-WxSd6cY6t6vedf5AJFvpw2tWEZvxJ0J-kn3iWnLou3qmMIkyAV6/s1600/etched-window-basement.jpg" title=" Simple window treatments for basement windows" width="290" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Etched glass or window film<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">What about  adding something directly to the glass?  Etching  glass is so simple these days with beautiful stencils and spray etching available. You can also buy so many window films that provide a degree of privacy without too much fuss. If you aren't sure if you would like the look of etching try window film first because it is removable. </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5uMZmAPs8HTZAMrwbW8PcB00IB7xtzBPnmLsAZNoy3qKYlvftIvyASNybqqZF2V3UoxSZV04B5JabcIwHYJHcWCbGl02P_A6Y7kJcPHgHPx3KyKFwRGaRqWV0neRSiEU-K1iWk25rvbu/s1600/clear-stained-glass-basement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="stained glass basement windows solutions" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5uMZmAPs8HTZAMrwbW8PcB00IB7xtzBPnmLsAZNoy3qKYlvftIvyASNybqqZF2V3UoxSZV04B5JabcIwHYJHcWCbGl02P_A6Y7kJcPHgHPx3KyKFwRGaRqWV0neRSiEU-K1iWk25rvbu/s1600/clear-stained-glass-basement.jpg" title="Simple window treatments for basement windows" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stained glass provides interest and  privacy. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2t_RbSGqWRriV0ImzQbPUZ4j-yOZ6lGVc_tvQBL_00YDwGw6kkYJATDgnScUdF6kxIQ13oI6_J16eenMo1z7MCipd9GwaHc0xYaOBJbDfDcehw0ze6NMo3o_XeSz1IZ_cMjN-xeWKMPjH/s1600/corner-sofa-basement-windows-drapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="basement window solution light drapes " border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2t_RbSGqWRriV0ImzQbPUZ4j-yOZ6lGVc_tvQBL_00YDwGw6kkYJATDgnScUdF6kxIQ13oI6_J16eenMo1z7MCipd9GwaHc0xYaOBJbDfDcehw0ze6NMo3o_XeSz1IZ_cMjN-xeWKMPjH/s1600/corner-sofa-basement-windows-drapes.jpg" title="Simple window treatments for basement windows " width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light walls and light draperies</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Sometimes draperies work with short windows. I personally prefer that they are a similar colour to the wall, but there is a place for darker ones.  Because the sofa is below these windows it helps to break up the long expanse of wall below each window.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6P2LbsiJp_LXlWMI7qSnsM51bSs9S8s-qBmKaEmolvplao0fykXpiKKEEryobORyAuS59slV_o1dxo0OhtdFGhfqKroosn0mG8w4GMC4iHBsza7ALG_xNyT6Eg5yeHFEIo6qMWDX7DWix/s1600/bed-centered-basement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img alt="window coverings drapes basement " border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6P2LbsiJp_LXlWMI7qSnsM51bSs9S8s-qBmKaEmolvplao0fykXpiKKEEryobORyAuS59slV_o1dxo0OhtdFGhfqKroosn0mG8w4GMC4iHBsza7ALG_xNyT6Eg5yeHFEIo6qMWDX7DWix/s1600/bed-centered-basement.jpg" title="Simple window treatments for basement windows " width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Sometimes you can add something vertical below the space to visually fill in the awkward space.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">In my next post I will discuss more complex  basement window options that are sure to wow and  convince visitors that they are not in a basement. And what about your house?  What is your preferred window treatment for basements? </span></div><br />

Simple window treatments for basement windows

Basement windows are often a  challenge to decorate because they are usually small,  spaced, and high on the wall - a recipe for  decorating...

Read more »