How to close up a window in my room?

Question

Hi everyone :) 
 My family and I just moved into a 2 story 4 bedroom house. All the bedrooms are upstairs. The previous owners turned the 4th bedroom into an office, and has a huge window that overlooks the formal living room downstairs. Now, that 4th bedroom is mine. I want to close up the window. I'm hoping it'll cut down the noise I hear from downstairs and will also give me a bit more privacy. I was thinking of putting up a mirror (like the large plain ones that go in bathrooms), decorating it and putting a desk under it. But I don't know where to find the mirrors. Any ideas? I'll take any suggestions.
EDIT: just took the measurements. The length is 90' and the width is 40'..

Esther D · Answer

What about that beautiful cloth in your shot? make blackout curtains and or use a quilt to dampen the noise. Black or colored blackboard paint can be used. to close the view. Try 'Tuesday Morning' . Their panels are sold in pairs. My best, esther 
P.S I'll be glad to know what you decide.

Mary Insana · Answer

For a quick temporary fix you can staple coordinating fabric around the edges. It may be more cost effective to find one double wide curtain panel or a pretty flat sheet to put there since fabric can be quite expensive. Add some inexpensive trim with fabric glue or hot glue over the staples.
The other alternative would be to remove the trim and add dry wall to both sides and then the whole wall would be closed in and you would have your solid wall. If you could do this yourself it wouldn't be too expensive.

Kathy Portie · Answer

How about shutters for a 'window' look. Or even old window(s) with cute curtains. Or even a bulletin board for notes, pictures, etc... if you intend to use the space for a desk.

GranArt · Answer

Shutters is a great idea I think, too. Then you can hang stuff on them as well...

Anna Ibarra · Answer

Oh I had/have the same situation, and yes, I finally did it after living with it for almost 3 yrs. It was purposely done as an architectural feature, but the noise between rooms was a big factor whey I decided to do this. I just closed it up. One side is back into a bedroom now, now the other side that is on LR side I purposely left a lip ledge or else our wall would be massive, we have hight ceilings. I don't have pictures after it's done, but I hired someone to do it, cause it's too big of a job for me.

Anna Ibarra · Answer

A sample of the curtain and this was drapery with backing, the noise was so bothersome.

Anna Ibarra · Answer

Natisah, it looks better on the bedroom side. we have a split/1 1/2 level home and that room w/opening is lower then yours , 4 steps up, the noise was a big factor, but I also have my sewing room on the opposite side of this opening on 2nd level and noise is pretty much the same- it't open, but I am rarely in there when anyone home.

Therese C · Answer

You can put a fabric on the side that is your room to keep it coordinated, so the same on the common side, but in between (where no one can see it) install a piece of Styrofoam cut to size and simply pushed into place. (measure for a good tight fit). The Styrofoam will block a LOT of the noise and your window will look pretty from both sides.

Anna Ibarra · Answer

There is also those block glasses, but I think they are pricey unless you try a re-store. Good luck, love to see what you decide.

Larose LoganOakes · Answer

Hello! It seems like this is a task that you want to take on by yourself and I wouldn't recommend it due to the size of the opening. Handling a mirror of that size or even half of that size could be disastrous.I would enlist the help of some friends and family and close it in with some drywall and some insulation to keep out any and all noise from bothering you.This also might help to keep this room warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.If this isn't possible then I would suggest that you look at: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=sound%20blocking%20material&source=web&cd=9&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CIcBELcCMAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DcncqLyG1GrA&ei=E10lUuiyJcT02gW3t4Eg&usg=AFQjCNFjSeNABA-v5yoTVnXOWqX9cVbQYQ to figure out which one you want to do. If drywall is not for you then you might want to get some foam core board and cover it with egg crate foam rubber and then cover it with fabric and slide it into place. You could then bracket it in with some corner brackets or mount it on the outside of the opening with some self adhesive Velcro. None of this is an easy or inexpensive fix I am afraid.Please let us know what you decide to do.Best of Luck!:)

Nafisah Salaam · Answer

Therese C, I love your styrofoam idea! I don't really want fabric hanging in my room, so I might put up a bulletin like Kathy suggested. Honestly, the product might be a mixture of all the suggestions lol. Thanks everyone :) I'll post the results once I get it done.

Anna Ibarra · Answer

Also try pricing a large piece of insulated sound proof design to help muff sounds- they are larger, and I paid around less then $20.oo at LOWES then you can, might be less then styrofoam. That was one of my ideas, at first.

Zbeth W · Answer

I like the Idea of a large sound proofing insulation.. cover it in a pretty fabric and make a bulletin or idea board out of it or if your fabric is pretty enough It could become a piece of Art..

KMS Woodworks · Answer

Curtains and shutters and such will not really help with the noise much. To really do it right you should frame it in and install new dry wall.

Remove the drywall from the inside of the opening along with the metal corner bead. This will get you back to 'wood' frame in the space and install new drywall, skim and paint. It will look like the hole was never there.

Brenda @ Cozy Little House · Answer

If you really want mirror, you could have that cut. But what about a big inspiration board? Just have a piece of plywood (cheap) cut about 2 inches beyond each side of your window. Layer quilt batting over it, then fabric of your choice. Then staple it all to the back. Or, since it's going to be seen from the other side, decorate both sides. You could just have fabric on the other side. Would make a wonderful accent to an office/studio.

Tegma · Answer

I have a solution you might like.... Go to Lowes and in the ceiling section, buy 2 pc. of poly ceiling tile. I'm not sure what it's called, but it's for over dropped ceiling fluorescent lighting. They have some pretty designs which look like cut glass. You can see out from it, but nobody can see in. I put it in my bathroom windows. I score mine with a box knife first, then cut with scissors. It's heavy enough to keep out sound, yet pretty to look at, too. It comes in 2' x 4' pieces, so you'd need two pcs. I would cut a pc. of 1 x 2 wood, and make a center board. Then cut your 2 pcs. of ceiling poly to size. After than, put a little frame around it in small corner trim to hold it in place nicely. I can guarantee you will love it!

Tegma · Answer

Another idea is to just close it off properly. Just take off all the trim, leaving the frame. Add a couple of pcs. of 2 x 4 every two feet, as studs to nail to.... Then just buys some wallboard and nail it in place on both sides of opening. Tape and spackle it. Then paint to match wall. I'm a 72 years old woman and I do this kind of thing all by myself, all the time. It's not that difficult and the cost won't be more than about $15 total. Just ask your Lowes salesperson for directions if you don't understand mine. They will even cut the wallboard for you, if you have the exact measurements of the opening.

Tegma · Answer

Just remember that whatever you choose to do, it must look just as nice from the living room side as it does from the bedroom. So, you will have to make the back side just as attractive as the bedroom side. And, it must coordinate with what you have as your living room décor.

Tobey McCool · Answer

I had the same problem a few years ago, almost the same size opening actually  I needed the small family room turned into a bedroom because I had all five kids at home. I closed it off with drywall and you can not tell it was ever there. it helped for resale because I could sell the home as a 4 bedroom. It was not expensive, just find a good drywaller, and it assured me privacy.

Elizabeth McElmurray · Answer

Glass Pebbles from the Dollar Store create this stain glass window look. Glue the pebbles to the windows with E6000 and let it dry, then grout with a charcoal color sanded grout. http://madewithlovebyhannah.com/WordPress/?p=49

Gail · Answer

I agree with @Patricia Morse and finish it properly.. I can't imagine any drapes hung that would look good from the living room below. If buying noise reducing insulation or styrofoam might just as well get the wood and plasterboard and do it right.

Miriam · Answer

I would fill it with plywood and have a local artist paint something on both sides. Or you can just paint the plywood a different color than your walls to make it stand out and hang a collage of family pictures on the bedroom side and another theme on the other.

Therese C · Answer

The price of stryo-board here at the local lumber company is (including tax) $7.26. It doesn't get much cheaper than that for a fix up. The plus side? If it should fall on anyone, they will only get hit with about 4ounces of weight.. ;) Also the lumber company here will cut it to size for you, so if it is 90x40 they will just cut it to that size and you are done. $3.15 and your worries are over! Just remember..this method is a quick removal as well if for some reason you want that window back. It does no structural change whatsoever to the home.

Shirley Kalinosky · Answer

Noticed this original date and wondered what you did with this wall. How about an update?

Barbara Ritchings · Answer

sliding frosted windows?

Tena Abbey · Answer

Maybe windows, with shutters on the livingroom side....

Pam Lewandowski · Answer

I just came across this this morning. It's a barn door style to cover a window. But the barn door has an ornamental iron piece attached to it. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/bathroom/bathroom-remodel-barn-door-hardware-14464840

Joanie · Answer

You can buy stenciling for that window and Voila!!!  They have the cellophane or diy kits with paint and brushes.  My sister in law did her backdoor and a high window in her bedroom.....beautiful turnout!!

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