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1
Extend rods beyond the frame.
Strategically placed curtain rods can help you fudge the width on your window, according to designer Amy Berry. "I like my rods to overhang15 inchesoff the edge of the window where possible," she says. This tricks the mind into thinking part of your wall is really glass.
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2
Layer curtains and shades.
The same way a curtain rods can help you fudge on width, window shades can help exaggerateheight. "Hang those shades right under the rod for the appearance of taller windows," says Berry. Plus, this treatment has a very high-end look to it.
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3
Use sturdy fabric.
"Nothing isworse than skimpy curtains," says Berry. Not only does a thick material make this design accessory appear more expensive, but it also does a better job of concealing windows and lightwhen you use tricks like extendingcurtain rods beyond the frame.
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4
Cover walls with curtains.
"Extending your draperies from floor to ceiling and from wall to wall surrounding your window makes them appear bigger," explainsFrancesco Bilotto. The reason? This makes it unclear when windows stop and walls start.
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5
Paint a border around your window.
Or opt for a window frame that's larger thanstandard dimensions.By adding thickness around your average-sized windows, your windows will make a bigger impact in the room and appear larger, says Bilotto.
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6
Hang your rod higher.
If you want your window to appear taller andwider, try this trick from designer DonStewart: "Install an extra long curtain rod at, or near,the ceiling for floor length drapes tocreate this illusion." This basically combines two window tricks into one — genius.
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7
Avoid white walls.
This is especially importantif your window frames are white, too."Paint the walls surrounding your window a darker cool color and the walls will recede and the window willpop," says Stewart.
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8
Or give the trim some color.
Not everyone can paint their walls, or wants to repaint them white after they decide to move (we know, renter problems are tough). But that's okay."Paint your trim a shade darker, like a putty, to achieve a similar affect," saysStewart. Since this is a smaller surface, it won't take as long to repaint later.
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9
Invest in low furniture.
Even what you use to furnish your room can make a difference in how your windows appear to the eye."Place smaller or low-profile furniture pieces near or under the window so the eye is tricked by scale," saysBilotto.
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10
Use fabric with patterns.
"Fabrics with vertical patterns will add height to your windows and draw your eye upward,"says Stewart. "Horizontally-oriented patterns will create the illusion of width."The most common vertical pattern being stripes, naturally.
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11
Get creative with texture.
That might mean using a fabric made out of different materials(think: cotton and silk stripes) or overlaying two different textures on top of each other. "This gives a sense of depth and movement," says designer JamieDrake.
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12
Surround the window with color overload.
We're talking furniture, walls, curtains, you name it. "It's as if you're dipping the whole room in a bucket of paint and it takes away all the boundaries," says designer Barry Dixon. "You're left with the infinity of the universe. It's like Houdini came in and decorated."
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13
Make curtains the focal point.
A bold, in-your-face pattern on your curtains is all it takes to draw your eyes to the windows — and away from everything else. Here, black verticalstripes near the inner part of the curtains points the eyes up to make ceilings appear taller, too.
