How to Make Window Bars Look Better

Clean the bars thoroughly with soap and water and a nylon scrub brush. Over time and through exposure, window bars become grimy and dusty. A thorough scrubbing allows the bars to look new once more, and it can completely change the look of your window.

Drape the bars with fake ivy, securing them as necessary with a bit of green florist’s tape. This draws the associations of the bars away from a security device and turns them into a trellis. While this does obscure some light coming into the living space, it creates the illusion of living in a wild, wooded area.

Paint the bars with a metal paint and a paintbrush. Choose a color that matches your house or the interior decor of the room where the window is located. A bright color contrasts strongly with your living space, while a more muted color complements it. This works especially well with decorative window bars.

Install a tension rod across the top of your window frame, and hang a flat sheer curtain panel on it. The panel should be just the size of the window itself. This window treatment allows light in, but prevents anyone inside from seeing the window bars.

Decorate the bars to match a seasonal theme. For Mardi Gras, hang them with brightly colored beads. For the winter holidays, add Christmas lights or wreaths. Using the bars as a decorating canvas helps you integrate them into your home.