24 Window Sill Decorating Ideas You'll Want to Copy

There's no reason to leave your windowsills bare when you could instead be jazzing them up with some of your favorite things.

"Decorating your windowsill is a simple yet effective way to add charm and personality to any room in your home," Allison Kaminsky, the founder of Lola Tucker Interiors, says. "With a bit of creativity, you can transform this often-overlooked space."

Below, we're sharing 24 of our favorite window sill decorating ideas and providing valuable tips from interior designers that will help you as you address your own space.

Want more design inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest decor ideas, designer tips, and more!

Meet the Expert

Allison Kaminsky is the founder of Lola Tucker Interiors.
Susan Yeley is the founder of Susan Yeley Homes.

How to Decorate a Windowsill

Fill a windowsill with natural touches such as plants, special books, or trinkets you collected or with string lights.

"Window sills are an obvious place for plants—they get lots of light, make a nice connection to the outside, and stay neatly off working surfaces or nice furniture, where they get in the way or threaten to leave water marks," Susan Yeley, the founder of Susan Yeley Homes, says.

Tips for Decorating a Windowsill

Incorporate nature. Greenery and flowers are some of Kaminsky's favorite items to display on a window sill. A collection of succulents, ferns, or seasonal flowers can add a vibrant touch of green, she says. "To create visual interest, use pots of varying heights and styles," Kaminsky says.
Add books and trinkets. Display favorite items that are meaningful to you on the windowsill. Whether it's stacking art books and placing a ceramic sculpture on top or using a decorative to hold a potted plant and some shells or stones, have fun layering various decor accents, Kaminsky says.
Brighten it up. Who doesn't love mood lighting in the bedroom? Kaminsky recommends using some string fairy lights along the windowsill to create an ambient glow. "Warm white lights work best for a cozy, relaxing atmosphere that’s perfect for the bedroom," she says.

01 of 24

Potted Plants

@theresa.wagner88 / Instagram

The windowsill is an excellent place to display potted plants that thrive in direct sunlight. To liven up your display a bit, consider weaving in decorative objects including books, small bowls, and more, to break up all of the greenery.
02 of 24

A Ledge of Office Supplies

@heather_andhome / Instagram

Need a bit more desk space? Turn your windowsill into an extension of your home office by filling it with pencil jars, a small mail sorter to hold papers, and the like. Everything is easy to access whenever you need it throughout the day.
03 of 24

Bright Blooms

@evergreenelsey / Instagram

Brighten up your home with a bouquet of beautiful blooms on the windowsill. Whether you display real flowers from your garden or opt for some realistic-looking faux blooms, nothing beats a colorful arrangement.
04 of 24

A Glowing Display

@joannatuckerinteriors / Instagram

Cordless lamps are useful when entertaining both indoors and out. They can also help to provide a nice warm glow when reading at night. Place yours on the windowsill so that it's always accessible.

Continue to 5 of 24 below
05 of 24

Contained Storage

@iblaursen / Instagram

Keep small items safely corralled in aesthetically pleasing lidded boxes and canisters like these. Things that you could store inside such receptacles include remotes, spare keys, loose change, and more.
06 of 24

Positive Notes

@our_plant_loving_home / Instagram

Sometimes you just need an extra boost of motivation to get you through the day. Print out a favorite quote, pop it into a frame, and place that on the windowsill where you'll be sure to see it.
07 of 24

Bathroom Bliss

@lizzydesigns_ / Instagram

Add charm to your bathroom by lining the windowsill with some potted plants. These small evergreen trees are petite yet pleasing. Bring in some hanging houseplants to tie in the greenery.
08 of 24

Pleasant Scents

@at_home_with_the_tjs / Instagram

Light a scented candle and place it on the windowsill to fill the room of your choice with a delicious fragrance without wasting precious countertop space.

Continue to 9 of 24 below
09 of 24

Curated Collection

@fedesfotos / Instagram

Showcase a favorite collection on the windowsill, so the natural light can give it some love throughout the day. This is a great place to display colorful glassware, vases, or trinkets you've bought during your travels.
10 of 24

Ambient Moments

@our.home.saga / Instagram

Add a romantic, moody feel to your windowsill by lining it with a few candlesticks. You can easily find vintage-looking candle holders at thrift and antique stores; don't be afraid to mix and match different styles in your space.
11 of 24

Decorative Trays With Small Decor Accents

@stonecottage2250 / Instagram

Keep a few of your go-to mugs handy by styling them as part of a fun vignette on the windowsill. Place them on a decorative tray with a vase of flowers for an extra pop of color.
12 of 24

Hidden Storage

@our1925home / Instagram

A woven decorative basket is full of character and also can conceal small items that you'd like to keep handy but not stare at all day long.

Continue to 13 of 24 below
13 of 24

Thoughtful Tray

@stonecottage2250 / Instagram

Use a tray to keep plant pots organized or to add more of a layered look to a deeper windowsill. You can also fill a tray like this one with perfume bottles or beauty products if the window is located next to a vanity or in the bathroom.
14 of 24

Sentimental Snaps

@the_old_tannery_ / Instagram

This tiered windowsill is the perfect spot to display a few rows of framed family photos. Bring in some greenery or a candle to create a lively ledge.
15 of 24

Rustic Touches

@floraliehome / Instagram

This guest room is simple in design, but a weathered vessel on the windowsill helps to play to the rustic aesthetic present.
16 of 24

Handy Herbs

@805jak / Instagram

Get cooking! Keep herbs and other daily ingredients on the windowsill to make meal prep a breeze—best of all, you will never forget what exactly you have on hand at any given time.

Continue to 17 of 24 below
17 of 24

Natural Details

@thereedwarbler / Instagram

If you appreciate rustic style, weave a decorative wooden birdhouse into your windowsill vignette. It adds tons of charm and brings the outside in instantly.
18 of 24

Dried Florals

@annadbell_branchout / Instagram

Dried flowers require little maintenance and last for months if not years on end, making them a nice option for those who are unable to care for live plants. Mix and match a few types and colors for a warm, welcoming look.
19 of 24

Seasonal Whimsy

@yomargey / Instagram

Style your windowsill for the seasons. In the fall, bring in some cute little gourds that will lend a subtle autumnal touch.
20 of 24

Books Galore

Dabbling & Decorating

If your home is overflowing with books, you may need to store a few on the windowsill. Here, an assortment of vintage books lend an academia-inspired look to this room.

Continue to 21 of 24 below
21 of 24

Timeless Finds

Dabbling & Decorating

Don't let your most special pieces hide behind closed cabinet doors when you could instead be appreciating them in your home every day. A collection of matching white vintage dishes fits right in on this windowsill.
22 of 24

Minimal Moment

@cottageandsea / Instagram

A simple candlestick and potted plant take up minimal visual space on this kitchen windowsill while still lending personality to the space.
23 of 24

Artful Accents

@martinas_cosy_crib / Instagram

There's no reason you can't display framed artwork in the bathroom! If you run out of space on the walls, move on over to the windowsill and lean a frame or two there to keep the decor going.
24 of 24

Quirky Display

@martinas_cosy_crib / Instagram

Make the most of an unconventionally shaped window like this one—you can still decorate the sill with favorite finds. For even more fun, add a wooden ledge below the window as seen here.