Simulated window in interior design

What is a false window?

A false window is a realistic imitation of a window on a wall, created using a drawing (on the wall or wallpaper) or a fake window opening made of mirrors, old frames, glass, etc.

False windows do not have through gaps behind them and do not let in daylight. To create a more realistic imitation with additional “solar” lighting, choose models with built-in lighting.

Painted windows change the space in a slightly different way: with the help of the designated perspective, they expand the space, creating the illusion of being in any place you choose.

What types are there?

In addition to the above-mentioned painted ones, mirror structures are often used to create false windows and ready-made “virtual” models.

Photo wallpaper

The fastest and cheapest way to create an illusion is to use wallpaper with photo printing. Decorating decorative windows is no exception. The advantage of photo wallpaper is not only the price and ease of application, but also a wide range of subjects. Even if the desired landscape is not in the store, you can order the image printing individually.

Standard designs – with a view of a forest, seashore, field with flowers, city street, garden. Photo wallpaper can be used even in the smallest rooms, because as you know, perspective visually expands the space.

Advice! To make the false window look more realistic, add a voluminous window sill: it is used as a shelf.

In the photo, imitation is done with the help of photo wallpaper and curtains

Artistic painting

Whether to paint a decorative window yourself or entrust the work to a master depends on your artistic talent. One way or another, painting allows you to realize any fantasy, because the size of the drawing, the plot and the palette are not limited by anything.

Delineate the window opening schematically or create a complex multi-level composition, depicting the sky, living trees, flowers. 3D images create a complete illusion of presence, visually pushing the walls in the room apart.

There is one drawback to drawing or printing – the lack of three-dimensionality. It is not always possible to create it using a window sill or curtains, so if you need a full-fledged false window, take a closer look at the following two options.

In the photo painted volumetric fresco

Mirror

A way to create a false window in the interior that does not require repair – mirrors. Two main options for implementation:

• Take an old frame, order a mirror sheet according to its size and shape, fix it on the wall.
• Buy several mirrors in frames, connect them together, fix them.

The reflective surface of the decor will create the effect of depth, help to expand the area of the room. This false window, unlike the first two, is mobile – that is, when rearranging furniture, it can also move to another wall or to the next room.

On photo of mirrors in window frames

Virtual

This type refers to false windows with backlighting. The original portable frame is equipped with an LED display and supplemented with a remote control. The control allows you to change the time of day and the landscape outside the window, adjust the weather and season to the desired atmosphere.

Unlike other models, the image in virtual false windows is dynamic, as close as possible to the real view.

Cheap models do not have a display and a changing picture, but are supplemented with lamps: false windows with backlighting act as additional lighting, replacing the missing natural source.

Important! Any variety in this category is plugged into a socket – for greater realism, it should be hidden behind the frame so that the wires are not visible.

Placement Features

To determine where it will be appropriate to place a false window in the interior yourself, we advise you to look at the experience of designers who know exactly in which cases imitation is necessary:

• A room without windows. For example, if you zoned a one-room apartment and the sleeping area turned out to be far from the real opening, an imitation window in the bedroom will make it more comfortable. A false window in the bathroom or hallway will also compensate for the lack of a real one.
• A small room. Any semblance of a window visually expands the space, makes it lighter and more comfortable.
• Lack of light. An imitation window with backlighting will come to the rescue – a parody of a natural light source looks casual, appropriate in any interior style.

In addition to walls, false windows are often placed on ceilings. The stained glass window above compensates for the low walls, and the false windows with backlighting replace the usual ceiling lights.

The photo shows a realistic window in a child’s room

How does it look in the interior of different rooms?

Living rooms are the least likely to need false windows, but they are often found in these rooms. With a standard layout, the hall usually has the largest real window, but if you want to make the space more spacious, complement it with a second, artificial one.

It is not necessary to glue wallpaper or paint false windows; mirror models or frames with frosted glass will fit into the living room: they can be placed on a chest of drawers, a fireplace, or a shelf instead of hanging them.

There is usually no urgent need for a false window in the kitchen either, but this is a great way to make a standard space wider. Choose a location in the dining area so that you can admire the views in the photo while eating.

False windows are often installed in the bathroom with backlight. Since there are no real openings in ordinary apartments, a decorated false window will be an excellent replacement.

The “fake” can be integrated into a functional design: for example, instead of a regular mirror above the sink, install a frame with beautifully shaped sashes.

The photo shows a symmetrical arrangement of frames in the hall

False windows in the interior of a child’s room differ from any other primarily in the plot: strict realistic landscapes replace interesting fairy-tale motifs.

A false window in a study increases productivity and improves mood. If the room is dark, choose a false window with backlighting.

How to do it yourself?

There are a large number of models of false windows on sale, but almost any of them can be made by yourself. Choose one of the two options and follow the step-by-step tutorial to create a masterpiece with your own hands.

Step-by-step instructions

Let’s start with something simple: imitation of a window made of mirrors.

You will need:

• a mirror the size of the future window;
• degreaser;
• thin wooden slats;
• jigsaw or saw;
• pencil and tape measure;
• glue for wood and glass;
• glue for mirrors (liquid nails).

Let’s get to work:

1. Measure the outer perimeter of the mirror.
2. Saw off 3 slats of the required length for the outer frame.
3. Degrease the mirror, glue the slats according to perimeter.
4. Measure the transverse distance between the slats, saw off the required number, glue.
5. Measure the longitudinal distance, saw off the required number of crossbars, glue. You should get a window frame.
6. Leave the structure to dry for several hours.
7. Mark the place for attaching the mirror to the wall.
8. Apply liquid nails to the back surface of the false window, glue according to the instructions.

Important! Skip steps 7 and 8 if the false window will be attached and placed on a fireplace, table, chest of drawers.

Another way involves gluing mirrors into ready-made frames:

A more complex option to make is a model with backlighting.

1. To prevent the false window from “sticking out” from the wall, you will need to make a niche in it (where the luminous strip will be placed). The recess is cut out to shape or decorated using plasterboard.
2. The next step is choosing a frame. Make it yourself from wood or order a plastic model of the required size. The third way is to take a ready-made antique frame as a basis and do everything according to its dimensions.
3. To make sure nothing is visible outside the window, but to create the feeling of going outside, choose matte glass that lets in light, or paint ordinary glass with stained glass paints.
4. The most difficult part is to install electrical appliances. Mark the location of the lamps or strips, bring the cable into the niche, and connect it to the lamps. Bring the wire out from the lamps and install a switch so that the lighting can be controlled.
5. The last step is decorative. Install the frame over the niche in a suitable way. You can turn it on!

Video

If the text instructions for making a false window are not enough, we recommend watching detailed videos.

Master class on creating an artificial window from ordinary photo frames:

An example of a ceiling window with backlighting:

Design options

As is clear from the previous sections, false windows can look completely different, but they have one thing in common: they should create the illusion of an additional opening, play on the imagination. To achieve maximum realism and at the same time correct the geometry of the room, follow the advice of designers:

• Virtual reality windows or recessed models with backlighting look the most realistic. If you use a regular frame with glass, insert an image of a landscape into it. By the way, you can change the latter to your taste at least every day.
• To hide the wall behind the window, choose frosted glass or paint stained glass. Another option is mirror film.
• In rooms with low ceilings, in addition to luminous panels on the ceiling, try high wall “fakes” in the Gothic style.
• Watch the proportionality: it is better when the false window is larger than necessary than smaller. Approximate dimensions are a quarter of the wall.
• Do not overdo it with the quantity: a maximum of two symmetrically located small windows or one large one in the center.
• In the bathroom, the role of the window can be played by opaque glass blocks. The second option is to decorate the transom between the kitchen and the bathroom with a beautiful landscape with backlighting.
• So that the view from the window does not conflict with the design of the apartment or house, choose a landscape that is as close to the real one as possible. Especially if the room already has a regular opening that does not have an expressive landscape behind it.
• When choosing a fake sticker, add a frame around it: this way you will increase the expressiveness of the imitation. By the way, to glue a false window, it is not necessary to choose wallpaper for the entire wall: just a picture the size of the window is enough.

False windows were, are and will remain an original piece of decor. Choose the appropriate type and size, create it yourself or order a ready-made copy: additional reality upon entering the room is guaranteed!