10 Ideas to Beautify Your Windowsill
Get the best out of these slivers of real estate with these easy styling ideas
Cheryl F
4 April 2017
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing for the UK's top interiors titles. I love shopping for quirky accessories, have a passion for rummaging through vintage stores and I'm ever-hopeful of finding that elusive perfect paint shade.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing... More
You probably don’t think too much about your windowsills (OK, you probably don’t think about them at all). But you could well be missing a smart interiors opportunity. Like mantelpieces, internal windowsills are a handy place to house accessories and curate a simple but effective display. First, check your display won’t block light or interfere with curtains or blinds, and that your sill is wide enough to support your chosen accessories. Then your imagination is your only limitation.
1. Create a mini jungle
Houseplants have never been more fashionable, adding instant vibrancy and life to homes – witness the popularity of blogs such as Urban Jungle. And a windowsill is an obvious place to house a row of old-school plants in classic terracotta pots. You don’t need to be Paul Bangay either, as any combination will look good as long as they’re well watered and fertilised. The result: a little bit Scandi, a lot chic.
Houseplants have never been more fashionable, adding instant vibrancy and life to homes – witness the popularity of blogs such as Urban Jungle. And a windowsill is an obvious place to house a row of old-school plants in classic terracotta pots. You don’t need to be Paul Bangay either, as any combination will look good as long as they’re well watered and fertilised. The result: a little bit Scandi, a lot chic.
2. Plump for one long planter
You don’t have to go for a multitude of mini pots on your windowsill, however. One long windowbox filled with succulents, as here, looks neat, modern and sculptural.
Always make sure that potted plants have a place for water to drain, so they don’t damage windowsill paintwork.
You don’t have to go for a multitude of mini pots on your windowsill, however. One long windowbox filled with succulents, as here, looks neat, modern and sculptural.
Always make sure that potted plants have a place for water to drain, so they don’t damage windowsill paintwork.
3. Put out the porcelain
In this kitchen, extra shelves have been added parallel to the windowsill and used to house a simple-yet-elegant display of porcelain. The result not only looks stylish, but also creates a little extra privacy without the need for blinds.
Kitchens often don’t have much display space, especially if you have traditional wall and base units, so this is a clever trick for introducing an open-shelf style display.
Try these inspiring ways with kitchen shelves
In this kitchen, extra shelves have been added parallel to the windowsill and used to house a simple-yet-elegant display of porcelain. The result not only looks stylish, but also creates a little extra privacy without the need for blinds.
Kitchens often don’t have much display space, especially if you have traditional wall and base units, so this is a clever trick for introducing an open-shelf style display.
Try these inspiring ways with kitchen shelves
4. Show off your frames
Big windows can sometimes look a bit blank, especially if you have blinds. In this cool urban kitchen, photo frames have been propped against the windows for a graphic display. It’s an easy way to break up a large expanse of window and add character, plus they can easily be swapped around when you fancy a change.
How to Add Colour to an All-White Kitchen
Big windows can sometimes look a bit blank, especially if you have blinds. In this cool urban kitchen, photo frames have been propped against the windows for a graphic display. It’s an easy way to break up a large expanse of window and add character, plus they can easily be swapped around when you fancy a change.
How to Add Colour to an All-White Kitchen
5. Be top of the glass
Glass vases in jewel-bright colours look fantastic on windowsills, as light streaming through them enhances their colour. And you don’t need a multitude of windowsills, as here. Just one vase on a smaller sill can still have a striking effect.
Rich blue is particularly effective against a (hopefully) light blue sky. Choose vases of different heights for contrast.
Glass vases in jewel-bright colours look fantastic on windowsills, as light streaming through them enhances their colour. And you don’t need a multitude of windowsills, as here. Just one vase on a smaller sill can still have a striking effect.
Rich blue is particularly effective against a (hopefully) light blue sky. Choose vases of different heights for contrast.
6. Keep it minimal
You don’t want to overfill your sill and block out the light. This Scandi bedroom gets the balance just right. Slim metallic candleholders, a potted ivy, an elegant watering can and a pared-back light all work together without looking cluttered or messy.
Using a traditional radiator cover also creates a sill-like surface if you don’t have one with your style of window.
You don’t want to overfill your sill and block out the light. This Scandi bedroom gets the balance just right. Slim metallic candleholders, a potted ivy, an elegant watering can and a pared-back light all work together without looking cluttered or messy.
Using a traditional radiator cover also creates a sill-like surface if you don’t have one with your style of window.
7. Orchid up
An orchid can add a welcome shot of colour to a windowsill. This display of several hot-pink numbers adds an exotic holiday feel to a cityscape –a good trick to try if your view is less than bucolic.
An orchid can add a welcome shot of colour to a windowsill. This display of several hot-pink numbers adds an exotic holiday feel to a cityscape –a good trick to try if your view is less than bucolic.
8. Suspend some pots
Want a herb garden, but don’t actually have a handy windowsill to house the pots? Create a windowsill-like effect with a simple hanging rail and hooks to suspend pots. The result adds interest to windows and a dab of greenery, while ensuring plenty of light for your budding basil and coriander.
Want a herb garden, but don’t actually have a handy windowsill to house the pots? Create a windowsill-like effect with a simple hanging rail and hooks to suspend pots. The result adds interest to windows and a dab of greenery, while ensuring plenty of light for your budding basil and coriander.
9. Be bright
Use your sills to display collections or treasured items in the same way you might use an mantelpiece. In this amazingly high-ceilinged room, a collection of bright mini glasses creates an arty effect along with a golden sculpture. Don’t be scared to stretch items right along your sill – the wider the better. And remember you can always change your display if you get bored.
How to use rainbow brights at home
Use your sills to display collections or treasured items in the same way you might use an mantelpiece. In this amazingly high-ceilinged room, a collection of bright mini glasses creates an arty effect along with a golden sculpture. Don’t be scared to stretch items right along your sill – the wider the better. And remember you can always change your display if you get bored.
How to use rainbow brights at home
10. Use as a bedside table
If your bedroom is skinny, a chunky windowsill can double up as a bedside table. You could even consider extending it, if you need more width.
Here, golden ornaments add a luxurious feel to a small space, while the lamp is practical for reading in bed. Think of your sill as an asset in petite rooms – a handy place to add some stylish touches and express yourself where space is at a premium.
Tell us
How have you styled your windowsills? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
More
Something’s Happening on … Bathroom Windowsills
If your bedroom is skinny, a chunky windowsill can double up as a bedside table. You could even consider extending it, if you need more width.
Here, golden ornaments add a luxurious feel to a small space, while the lamp is practical for reading in bed. Think of your sill as an asset in petite rooms – a handy place to add some stylish touches and express yourself where space is at a premium.
Tell us
How have you styled your windowsills? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
More
Something’s Happening on … Bathroom Windowsills
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love all the ideas. But I find most window sills are not quite wide enough for displaying pot plants. English homes seem to have a very generous window sill which I think is a great idea.
Some great ideas, as someone who can not see a space without itching to put something in it, my windowsills are all in use but I like the idea of the hanging herbs in the kitchen. I love plants but they don't love me! To be fair this house is particularly dark but I have managed to keep a cheap Calla lilly from Ikea alive for over a year now, which is a record, it's obviously a real fighter! I was given a beautiful (and I suspect very expensive) orchid which barely lasted a month, so that rules out the row of orchids idea, lovely as they are.
Yes, I think one has to have a way with plants, Gerry, AND check stuff out about them beforehand!! My son bought me a money tree some while back. Thought "Soil is bone dry. Needs a good watering." And that's what killed it! :-( One by one its leaves fell off and I was helpless to do anything about it. I was so sad not just for the plant but the fact it was such a sweet, thoughtful gift at the time.... But herbs. Could give them a go....