Guide to Window Dressing with Security Grilles and Tips to Make the Ceiling Appear Taller

Windows were once an ignored part of the house but I've observed more home owners are becoming more fashion and trend conscious. So here's a guide to window dressing with security grilles and tips to make the ceiling appear taller.

If you live in an apartment and your windows face into the common corridor, security grilles are a must. You have to find a less-obtrusive design that won't spoil the décor of the rooms. Think of custom designing a grille pattern? There are swirling floral motifs that would look great with the new baroque/vintage decor styles; and 1960s pop art patterns that would suit a retro décor theme. Your grilles could end up being the most exciting part of your decor. Take the design to an ironworks and ask for a quote.

Don't compromise security by going for budget options such as metal mesh grilles which may be cheaper bur are made in a thin sheet and can be peeled back by force Aluminum will not rust but it's not as secure as iron bars which are individually welded into place, and thus are the strongest.
Do not place the hall console or a side table under, or near, the window. It's possible to leave something on it which a nimble thief could easily grab by reaching in through the window.

What if you like your ceiling to appear higher? Fixing the curtains higher than the top of the windows is a standard designer advice to make the windows appear taller and the ceiling higher. This will also give the illusion of a more airy and spacious room. But watch out that you don't have too wide a gap between the track or curtain rod and the top of the window - 5 inches or about twelve centimeters is about maximum.

You can go up the ceiling if you bridge the gap by adding roller or Venetian blinds (instead of sheers or day curtains) to hide the wall behind. You can also use a box pelmet, an old-fashioned window treatment that is coming back in fashion, along with boho-chic and vintage styles.
If you have a table under a window, hanging shorter curtains over the table would make this window look odd. Fit the window with semi-sheer roller blinds that disappear into a slim casing when they roll up.

To this window harmonize visually with the others, hang a set of dress i.e. false, full-length curtains as well. Dress curtains are usually shorter in width as they do not need to actually cover the windows.