I want to makeover my basement window

Lisa Appleby
by Lisa Appleby
I'm looking for ideas to spruce up my basement windows. They have awful Venetian blinds at the moment but I'm not sure how to make them look any better. Would really appreciate any alternate ideas! Thanks :)
I actually like the print of the curtain but hate them hanging like this :(
  27 answers
  • Dee Dee on Oct 17, 2016
    How about bamboo roll up shades or wooden shutters. The wide plank ones would look great and you can paint them in any color you like.
  • Blindsgalore Blindsgalore on Oct 17, 2016
    Roman Shades would be a good option in this room because they are both functional and stylish. Check out our site for different options and ideas. Good luck! http://www.blindsgalore.com/
  • Joan Joan on Oct 17, 2016
    you can cut the material you like to fit the windows...and then use liquid starch to "paste it on". I will come off easily and the windows will wash well, as will the material.
  • Carol Carol on Oct 17, 2016
    we replaced our windows with glass blocks and don't need any other covering.
  • Heidi Heidi on Oct 18, 2016
    A valance with full length drapes on each side to extend the size of the window. Put wood blinds in place of the vinyl and then add a console table underneath with a small lamp
  • B J  Alexis B J Alexis on Oct 18, 2016
    I agree with Carol in Lexington, replaced two of my basement windows with glassblock windows--not only are they more attractive and don't need window coverings they also block cold air more effectively.
  • 2la4627636 2la4627636 on Oct 18, 2016
    I mounted a wooden shutter on the wall below the window and added full l nothing drapes and it make it look like a bigger window
  • Jacki Jacki on Oct 18, 2016
    Remove blinds cut curtains to fit add a scarf
  • IFortuna IFortuna on Oct 18, 2016
    Here are some solutions: https://www.hunterdouglas.com/products?gclid=... ====== OR http://www.myhomeideas.co.eht/decorating/desi... ===== I really prefer roman shades. They look clean and elegant and are easy to care for. One of these ideas might be less costly and easier to implement than replacing the window. : )
  • Jua Jua on Oct 18, 2016
    Make roman shade and put a valance on a rod at the top
  • Cheryl Cheryl on Oct 18, 2016
    I'm hanging some curtains on just the outer
  • Bernadette Staal Bernadette Staal on Oct 18, 2016
    I would remove everything and replace it with a Roman Blind that matches a colour choice that you like and picks out highlights in the rest of the room.
  • Connie Connie on Oct 18, 2016
    You could use two antique looking windows that have a frosted look to them and hang them like you would for a sliding barn door look.
  • Catherine Bridges Catherine Bridges on Oct 18, 2016
    Basements usually have less light that the rest of the house so as to not block the light I would hang the curtains staight down ( hitting an inch or two under the window and maybe extending the rod a few inches past each side of the window making the window appear wider. If you must cover the view try using a sheer curtain on a separate rod. Good luck-I know you should be getting lots of ideas. Let us know how it turned out.
  • Julie Julie on Oct 19, 2016
    Personally, I'm not a fan of drawing attention to basement windows using window coverings. For a stylish option allowing light to still come through, you could consider MANY options of frosted vinyl window clings. I get mine from eBay here http://www.ebay.com/sch/Window-Films/175757/b... VERY easy to apply and inexpensive. Please share your final solution with us! :)
  • Pat Pat on Oct 19, 2016
    Cut a piece of heavy foam board to fit tight into window(s). Cover with pretty cotton & screw drawer handle on each side of board. Remove during daylight, put into window when dark. Keeps cold out, too.
  • Reblcant Reblcant on Oct 19, 2016
    I would like a wooden window shutter. More stylish. Roman shades will block a a lot of the light coming in.
  • Karen Karen on Oct 20, 2016
    Since they are sheets cut them to just below window allowing enough room for the hem use fabric you cut off to make tie ups or use vertical blinds in an offwhite trim to just below window lowes & homedepot will cut the rod take your measurements this way close if need be or leave open to let light in you could make valances out of curtains if you really like them good luck
  • Sarah A. Victory Sarah A. Victory on Oct 20, 2016
    You could make a Valance out of the curtains or pull the curtains together in the middle and tie them around the same length as in the picture especially if you like them. Raise the blind to the top of the window in the daytime for light or take the blinds down and put a sheer panel in the middle. Seems like when I had a basement in the 90"s w/a longer window I just put up blinds. Good luck!
  • Ann Ann on Oct 20, 2016
    The fabric looks thin, so consider lining them. Make the window look bigger by hanging the curtains outside the window and hang straight down. For privacy, and light, consider a sheer curtain inside or a bit of. Lace fabric or stencil.
  • Ginny Ginny on Oct 21, 2016
    The window is large and it would be expensive, but I would look into glass block with a vent. I had a dbl. hung and two small windows installed in my basement laundry rm. and a dbl. hung installed in my first flr. powder rm. (with a vent) for privacy. Blocks come in different styles, are easy to clean, allow natural light with privacy and deter intruders. My windows were installed about 15 yrs. ago, and I couldn't be more pleased. I did hang a swag in the powder rm. to dress up the window and the rm.
  • Debra Seely Debra Seely on Oct 23, 2016
    The color is too stark, a 2 in. Blind in a softer color.
  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Nov 26, 2016

    Why aren't you treating the same as a window upstairs? The white is a nice contrast to wall. Can you puchase a pretty rod that holds 2 sets one a sheer in white and then curtains in white. I would take the curtains all the way to floor. Then it looks very upscale just like rest of house. I,personally am not a fan of ties are anything to hold back I would just open up during the day and open blinds,sheer will provide some privacy, also ,open blinds tilted towards floor so you can get the most light into room and you aren't looking at an awful window well.

  • Lucy Marie Bernier Lucy Marie Bernier on Dec 12, 2016

    How about, finding a plastic shower curtain with a pattern. Something that gives some light and privacy. Clean the window ,cut the curtain to fit the window. Spray with water apply the shower and squeegee the the excess water out from the sides w/ paper towel . Make sure you get out the bubbles. If done correctly it will stay up forever. I did for a friends house, thin glass panels along side there front door. It's been 2 yrs and still up! If you need more help drop me a line. If local I'd do it for you,just for fun.... :)

  • Lindy Lindy on Dec 12, 2016

    The curtain is the wrong size for the window, and if you are doing a tie back the two panels should meet in the middle. I think this is why you are having such a difficult time as it is all off kilter. Make a simple stationery cornice above the window as closely mounted to the ceiling as possible. If you love the curtains line one of the panels and cover the cornice with that. Foam core makes a quick and easy cornice --check google to find easy instructions and how-to's. Maybe a bamboo shade you can pull up during the day for light or more modern blinds. You can also make a roman shade out of your old blinds also instructions on google or maybe even hometalk. Good luck!

  • Pat11183342 Pat11183342 on Dec 13, 2016

    First off where you tied back the curtain is to high. Lower the tie to the bottom of the blind.

    You really don't need to get rid of the blinds, just add a sheer that's the same lenght as the curtain's to ride over the blind. (You might like the light filtering ability of the combined.


    Another thing I noticed is the curtain's the selves are fairly sheer and from what I see in the pic in conflict with the color of the walls.


    I strongly suggest you check your local thrift store Flor a heavier curtain and sheers.

    I suggest a solid color curtain, with texture if possible and a shade lighter or white sheer.

    This will make your window look larger when you don't have it all open. Also, if the blinds can go lower, that's ok. It also will make the window look larger. Remember lighter solid colors will not only make the window look larger, but will brighten the room even when curtains closed.

    If you don't find something you want and can afford in the stores, buy flat bed sheets and sew curtains out of them. Usually way cheaper than buying fabric by the yard, and half finished.

    Which reminded me of one other option.

    Buy or create cafe style curtains. Which is a valence at the top of the window and the lower half of the curtain can start just at the very bottom of the actual window. This will also creat the illusion that the windows longer and not a basement window.

  • Joanie Joanie on Dec 13, 2016

    First off I have lived in a finished basement. The light is NOT all that plentiful!! I love your material, but curtains that size aren't the answer. You do need your privacy of course. I would buy a set of floral blinds., or buy some duct tape of your design and Voila!! Curtains of any sort are going to hold in the light. Just my in put. Good Luck!! KEEP the blinds!!