How to Make an Old Window Look Chic

Clean the woodwork on your old window with an all-purpose cleaner and sponge to remove dirt and grime. Wipe the wood down with a dry paper towel. Go over the wood trim with 120-grit sandpaper. Vacuum and wipe down the trim and window surfaces with a tack cloth to remove sanding dust.

Brush primer onto the wood trim if you're repainting it, or brush on sealer if you're staining it. Add two coats of stain that match the wood furniture in the room, or paint the trim in a hue that matches your decor. Allow 24 hours of drying time between coats. Brush a polyurethane finish on stained window trim.

Install a patterned pull-down shade or blinds for a casual appearance. Either of these will cover old window panes that look discolored or scratched. Hang sheer curtains to let in light and give the room a breezy romantic look. Suspend patterned and textured drapes to complement formal decor.

Cover old window panes with decorative window film that looks like stained or etched glass. You can also hang glass sun catchers against the window.

Place plants on the windowsill to create a focal point, or hang a plant, allowing the leaves to cascade in front of the window. Another option is to mount shelving across the window to create an indoor greenhouse or display area.