How to Design a Small Windowless Room
A small room with no windows can be a challenge to decorate. Not only is the space confined, but also the lack of natural light can make it look even smaller than it is. With a little creativity and some basic accessories, however, you can make the room inviting.

Things You Will Need
- Paint
- Lighting
- Mirrors
- Painting or photograph
- Curtains
- Furniture
Think outside of this little windowless box, and you'll come up with a space in which you want to spend more time.
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Paint the walls a light color, such as white or a pastel. This will make the space feel more open, creating the illusion of space. Avoid dark colors, as they will only make the room appear darker and smaller.
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Add lighting to the room. Install recessed light fixtures in the ceiling. Hang a decorative chandelier from the ceiling. Bring in uplights that direct the light upward, instead of down. Use warm light bulbs in the fixtures to create the look of natural lighting.
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Hang mirrors on the walls. Hang a single large mirror on a focal wall, or hang several smaller mirrors throughout the space. Light will bounce off the mirrors, creating the look of more space and light.
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Hang a large landscape painting or photograph. Set the image on a wall, and surround it with curtains to create a faux window. If that look seems too artificial. Hang the painting or photograph on one wall, and hang white or light-colored curtains from ceiling to floor on another wall. This will create the illusion of a window.
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Select small-scale furniture, and use only necessary pieces. For example, if the space is a living area, opt for a love seat and a small armchair instead of a large couch and an overstuffed chair. For a bedroom, use a single or double bed opposed instead of a king bed, and add a single tall chest of drawers.
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Add a water element as a final touch. A small fountain with trickling water will help you feel as though a window is open and you're listening to a stream outside.
Tip
A room such as this one is tailor-made for a meditation or prayer room. If you use the space this way, all you need to add are a comfortable rug, floor pillows, a chair, a light and a place to put some books and a CD player.
Tips
- A room such as this one is tailor-made for a meditation or prayer room. If you use the space this way, all you need to add are a comfortable rug, floor pillows, a chair, a light and a place to put some books and a CD player.
Writer Bio
Lily Mae began freelance writing in 2008. She is a certified elementary and literacy educator who has been working in education since 2003. Mae is also an avid gardener, decorator and craft maker. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in education and a Master of Science in literacy education from Long Island University.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images
- Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images
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