The Spruce: 7 Stylish Tips for Decorating Above Windows, According to Designers
Your windows may be beautiful on their own, but have you ever considered dressing them up a bit? There are so many ways to decorate the area above your interior windows, whether you're looking to add some greenery to the mix, show off a favorite collection of items, add architectural charm to your space, and more.
Below, we're sharing seven creative ways to jazz up any over-window area in your home. As a bonus, all of these techniques are fantastic for small and large spaces alike, and most of them are even renter-friendly.
Meet the Experts
- Laura Lubin is the founder of Ellerslie Interiors.
- Olga Doykhen is the founder of Olga Doykhen.
- Sydney Katz is the founder of SDK Architecture.

- Valances, while more ornate than other types of window treatments, can look beautiful above the window. Going this route is an excellent way to add texture and warmth to your space, Laura Lubin, the founder of Ellerslie Interiors, notes.

- Brighten up any room with sconces hung above the window, as Olga Doykhen, the founder of an eponymous design firm, did in this kitchen. Here, the sleek black sconces used complement the kitchen's contemporary design scheme and also play to the window frames nicely.

- Give your green friends a special perch above the window. This way, you'll be able to admire their beauty while ensuring that they don't take up valuable countertops or table space.
- You can choose to place a few succulents or smaller plants on a shelf and/or display hanging plants in baskets. Of course, if you like the idea of this from an aesthetic standpoint but worry about plants receiving enough light, you can go the faux route.

- Doykhen also decided to style a mix of decorative objects on the shelves above these kitchen windows. Doykhen decided to bring in organic elements like potted herbs and handcrafted pottery to tie in the earthy tones used throughout the kitchen.
- "We chose decor that reflects the personality, balancing everyday essentials like ceramic plates and bowls with decorative pieces that enhance the kitchen's natural light and openness," Doykhen says.

- Take a moment to dress up the area above your windows with some special pieces of artwork, be it a traditional framed photo or something more unexpected, like the wood carving of a fish shown here.
- Sydney Katz, the founder of SDK Architecture, personally loves showcasing small pieces of art above interior windows whether it's paintings, sculptures, or random objects collected over the years.

- Infuse architectural charm into your home by purchasing a plaster medallion and hanging it over your window. So that it looks original to your home, paint over the medallion using the same color that is on your walls or window trim.
- In this Brooklyn apartment, an ornate medallion looks right at home alongside European-inspired furniture and decor. If you're renting, you can still enjoy this look by adhering your decorative medallion to the wall using adhesive strips, rather than glue, which will allow you to remove it at the end of your lease.

- Make use of the area above your windows to display a collection. Consider showcasing a small grouping of items such as bud vases, trinket boxes, mugs, or a mix of these types of pieces, as seen here.
- Simply install a shelf where all of these items can sit safely and be easily accessed if needed. Opting for a glass shelf, as this homeowner did, takes up less visual space than a wooden option and also doesn't block any sunlight streaming through the window.

- Plates aren't just for the dining table; they can make for beautiful decor, too! Grab a few and display them above your window using hooks. The best part about decorating with plates is that there are no rules about the colors or sizes to use. You can enjoy mixing patterns or choose to show off a matching set.
- Best of all, it's easy to source affordable plates at the thrift store if you don't have extras on hand to hang on the walls.
Looking to redesign your home?
Hire a renowned interior designer like Olga Doykhen.
