How do you make a windowless room look like it has a window?

Having a windowless room can feel gloomy and claustrophobic. Windows provide natural light, fresh air, and a view of the outdoors – all things that are missed when a room doesn’t have any windows. Fortunately, there are ways to make a windowless room feel brighter, more spacious, and give the illusion of having a window.

Use Mirrors

One of the easiest ways to create the illusion of a window is by using mirrors. Place a large mirror on one wall, ideally across from the doorway so it reflects the room itself. This will create depth and the appearance of a window or opening on the wall. Use curtains, shades or drapes around the edges of the mirror to enhance the window illusion. Place plants, artwork, candles or other decor around the “window” area to make it seem more realistic.

Paint an Accent Wall

Paint one wall a different color than the others to create contrast and make that wall pop. Opt for light, bright, airy colors like light blue, soft gray or almond. Making one wall lighter than the others gives the illusion of natural light coming into the room from a window on that wall. You can outline the shape of a window on that wall to enhance the effect.

Use Wallpaper

Wallpaper or wall decals featuring window scenes are a clever option for windowless walls. Choose wallpaper with an image of a window overlooking a scenic landscape. This brings the outdoors in visually. For a more realistic effect, install shutters or drapes around the wallpapered “window.”

Install Skylights

While significantly more expensive and labor intensive to install, skylights are essentially real windows for interior rooms. Skylights allow natural light to come in from above, brightening up the space. Opt for tube skylights if you don’t have direct roof access above the windowless room. The tube draws in natural light from outside through the roof and reflects it down into the room.

Use Track Lighting

Position track lighting fixtures high on one wall, spaced out to mimic the lines of a large window. Angle the lights toward the opposite wall. This casts a glow and artificial “window light” on the wall, brightening up the space. Supplement with table lamps, sconces and other ambient lighting throughout the room.

Add a Lighted Headboard

For bedrooms without windows, install a lighted headboard to create the illusion of natural light. Choose a headboard with built-in lighting that illuminates the wall behind the bed. This brings brightness and the ambiance of a sunny morning into a dark, windowless room.

Use Sunlight Lamp

Sunlight therapy lamps project a warm, natural-looking light into a space, mimicking beams of sunlight streaming in through a window. Place the sunlight lamp in the corner of the room facing the interior to cast light and long shadows like real window light. Using a sunlight lamp brings the benefits of natural light as well.

Benefits of Sunlight Lamp
Improves mood and energy
Boosts vitamin D
Alleviates seasonal depression
Supports better sleep

Hang Bright Window Treatments

Add window treatments like drapes, valances and curtains on the wall where you want to create the illusion of a window. Opt for bright, light-colored fabrics hung near the ceiling to give height and a sense of light coming in from above. Billowy fabrics that move and let light through work best to complete the window illusion.

Display a Window Scene

Large framed artwork or even a flat screen TV displaying a moving window scene brings life to a windowless wall. Place the art or TV on the wall flanked by curtains, plants and other decor as if it’s a real window. Scenes with movement like trees swaying in the wind or birds flying make the most realistic illusion.

Add a Window Air Conditioner

Installing a window AC unit into the wall completes the window illusion. The AC unit will provide real functionality too by cooling the room. Cover unused parts of the AC unit’s metal sleeve with same-color paint or wallpaper as the rest of the wall for a more seamless look.

Use Frosted Window Film

Window frost film can make an interior glass door or glass block wall look like a real window. The opaque, frosted texture obscures the solid wall or door behind it so it mimics the appearance of frosted glass windows. Install it on a glass wall or door with a nice view of the room itself or another lit room for the best effect.

Open Shelving to Expand Views

Floor-to-ceiling open shelving units on a shared wall with a room that does have windows can expand the light and view. Space the shelves far enough apart to get unobstructed sight lines into the adjoining room. Style the shelves minimally with glassware, small plants and books.

Pros of Open Shelving
Visually expands space
Allows shared natural light
Provides a view to adjoining room

Cons of Open Shelving

Less privacy

Exposes clutter

Dust collects more easily

Hang Light, Airy Fabrics

Light, gauzy curtains hung floor to ceiling mimic the effect of sheer window curtains billowing in the breeze. Choose lightweight linen, silk or cotton in light colors like white, cream or pale gray. Hang them high and wide to feel airy and give height to the wall. Let the fabric drape and move naturally for the most realistic window illusion.

Add an Alcove

Build out a recessed alcove on the problem wall for a faux window bay. Paint the alcove walls and ceiling a lighter color than the rest of the room. Display greenery, artwork or a mirrored “window” inside the alcove. The contrast between the alcove and main room along with decor makes it seem like a sunlit window nook.

Use Reflective Materials

Mirrors, polished metal accents and high-gloss paints will reflect light and make a windowless room feel brighter and more spacious. Incorporate reflective accents throughout the room – mirrored furniture, chrome light fixtures, glossy vases, etc. The more light bouncing around, the more open and sunlit the room will feel.

Conclusion

With creativity and strategic decor placement, a windowless room can be transformed to feel bright and welcoming. Mirrors, wallpaper, track lighting and simulated window scenes are smart options for creating a faux window illusion. Open sight lines, sunlight lamps and reflective materials also help windowless rooms feel naturally lit. With the right approach, the lack of real windows won’t make a room feel dark and dreary.