How to Decorate Kids’ Rooms with High Windows Without Blocking the View

 

How to Decorate Kids’ Rooms with High Windows without blocking the view requires a balance between decoration, privacy, natural light, and practical window treatments. Because high windows are often positioned above normal eye level, they can provide an open visual connection to the outdoors while also making traditional decorating decisions more complicated.

The key is to treat the window as an important architectural feature instead of covering it with unnecessary decoration.

Keep the Window Area Visually Clear

The easiest way to preserve the view is to keep the surrounding area uncluttered.

Avoid placing tall furniture, large storage units, or oversized decorative pieces directly in front of the window. Even if the furniture does not completely cover the glass, it can make the window feel visually blocked.

A low dresser, toy chest, or small bench can maintain an open sightline while still providing useful storage.

Avoid Oversized Window Decorations

Decorating around a high window does not mean filling every available section of wall.

Large banners, hanging decorations, wall shelves, and oversized artwork can compete with the view.

Instead, use smaller decorative elements on adjacent walls. This creates a clear focal point around the window while still giving the bedroom a playful kids’ room appearance.

Use Curtains That Can Stay Open

Curtains can add softness and color without permanently blocking the window.

Install curtains so they can open completely beyond the window frame. When fully opened, the fabric should sit mostly to the sides rather than covering the glass.

This approach is especially useful when the window has an attractive outdoor view or provides plenty of natural light.

Consider Curtains With a Wide Stack-Back

The way curtains stack when opened can affect how much of the window remains visible.

If the curtain rod extends beyond the window frame, the panels can move farther away from the glass. This exposes more of the window when the curtains are open.

However, the rod and brackets must be properly installed for the wall and curtain weight.

Use Light-Filtering Curtains

If the goal is to maintain some privacy while preserving daylight and the outdoor view, light-filtering curtains can be useful.

They soften incoming sunlight without creating the same visual barrier as heavy blackout fabric.

For high windows, this can be particularly practical because the window may not require complete privacy protection throughout the day.

Use Shades Only When Necessary

Window shades can provide excellent light and privacy control, but covering the entire window all day can reduce the visual benefit of high windows.

Instead, use shades when sunlight becomes too strong, privacy is needed, or the room needs to be darkened.

During comfortable daylight hours, keeping the shade raised can preserve the open appearance.

Use Bottom-Up or Adjustable Coverage

Depending on the window design, adjustable window coverings can allow you to cover only part of the glass.

This can provide privacy or sunlight control while leaving another section open.

For example, a covering can reduce direct sunlight while leaving the upper section visually open. The appropriate configuration depends on the window's location, height, and direction.

Avoid Blocking the Window With the Bed

A bed positioned directly underneath a high window may not completely block the glass, but the headboard can still dominate the area.

If the window provides an important view or strong daylight, consider positioning the bed on another wall.

This can also make the room easier to arrange and leave the window area available for other uses.

Keep Tall Storage Away From the Window

Kids’ rooms often require plenty of storage, but tall storage furniture can quickly dominate a high-window wall.

Place wardrobes, tall bookshelves, and large cabinets on solid walls instead.

The window wall can then remain visually lighter and more open.

This arrangement also makes it easier to access the window treatment without climbing over furniture.

Use the Adjacent Walls for Personality

If you want the bedroom to feel colorful without decorating directly over the high window, use the surrounding walls.

Consider:

• Colorful artwork

• Animal prints

• Alphabet decorations

• Framed illustrations

• Wall decals

• Personalized signs

• Small floating shelves

This creates visual interest while allowing the high window to remain unobstructed.

Choose a Simple Color Scheme Around the Window

A complicated color scheme can make a window area feel crowded.

A simple palette can make the high window stand out. For example, combine soft white walls with pastel blue curtains and colorful bedding.

Alternatively, neutral walls can be paired with brighter accessories elsewhere in the room.

The window does not need to be decorated heavily to become an attractive focal point.

Use the Outdoor View as Part of the Decor

If the window overlooks trees, a garden, sky, or another attractive outdoor area, let that view become part of the room's visual design.

You do not necessarily need additional decorations around the window.

Natural scenery can provide color, texture, and visual movement without taking up any floor or wall space.

Be Careful With Privacy

A high window may provide less direct visibility into the room, but that does not automatically mean privacy is guaranteed.

The actual privacy level depends on the window's height, surrounding buildings, terrain, and viewing angles.

If privacy is important, use an appropriate window covering while still keeping as much of the glass exposed as practical.

Use Blackout Curtains at Night

Preserving the daytime view does not mean the window must remain uncovered at night.

Blackout curtains can be closed during bedtime to darken the room and provide additional privacy.

During the daytime, simply open the panels to restore the view.

This creates a flexible system instead of forcing the window treatment to perform the same function throughout the entire day.

Keep Window Hardware Simple

Bulky curtain rods, oversized finials, and excessive decorative hardware can draw attention away from the window itself.

Simple hardware often works better in a kids’ bedroom, particularly when the goal is to preserve a clean view.

Make sure the hardware is securely installed and suitable for the curtain's weight.

Don't Encourage Climbing

High windows can tempt children to climb furniture to reach curtains, shades, or blinds.

Avoid placing chairs, beds, toy boxes, or other climbable furniture directly beneath operating hardware when possible.

Window treatments should be installed and operated in a way that does not encourage unsafe climbing.

Final Thoughts

Decorating around high windows does not require covering them with layers of accessories. How to Decorate Kids’ Rooms with High Windows without blocking the view is mostly about keeping the glass accessible, using curtains that open fully, placing tall furniture elsewhere, and allowing the outdoor scenery to become part of the room's design.

A simple window treatment can provide privacy and light control when necessary while keeping the view open during the day. The result is a kids’ room that feels brighter, less cluttered, and more connected to the outdoors.