Window Well Decorating Tips

Adding some pizzazz to those basement window wells is a two sided issue.  While you can use some of the same techniques you've used elsewhere in the house to cover the window on the inside, there are also steps you can take to make the outside more pleasant.

"I love what you've done with the place-Is that corrugated steel?"

This is not a quote often heard in basements throughout the world.  But there is no reason you have to live with that dreary view.  Recently a number of new options have opened up.

Give yourself the view of your dreams.  You can now purchase window well liners that depict a wide range of scenes.  From desert sand-scapes to green forest trails to sunsets over the ocean blue, you can look out at any world you want every day (and with the help of a small light kit, every night!).

Hit the lights!  In order to get more natural light into your basement area, you can purchase a reflective panel kit (or fashion one yourself) that fastens to the wall of the house just above the window.  It reflects outside light into the well, where it is then bounced through your window.

A simple way to spruce up your view is with some simple flower and plants.  Or try building a simple lattice on which you can grow vines.  If you want to avoid possibly awkward maintenance, use silk and plastic flora and arrange as you wish.

A larger job, but one that would offer more options for extensive decorating and landscaping, would be to create a terraced area outside of the window.  This requires digging out a larger space and walling the earth with either lumber or pre-fabricated plastic terraces.  You will get more light than with standard well and it also provides an extra emergency exit.        

On the flip side

As for the inside of the windows, you have all the options you do for any window in the house: curtains, blinds, panels, etc.  The main thing to remember when treating basement windows is that you want to let in as much light as possible-that's what you have the window wells for in the first place. 

Try to stick with lightweight sheer fabrics.  And because the window may very well meet the ceiling directly, keep it simple and avoid heavy top treatments such as valances and cornices.

 
Window wells are a great way to let natural light into your basement, but are a tremendous safety hazard. Learn how to implement a few simple precautions, like adding window well covers and ladders, to avoid serious injuries, while adding an emergency exit.

Window well cover safety guide

Window wells offer an element of safety to your basement by acting as exits in case of emergency.   Most municipalities, in fact, require all basements to have an emergency exit.  Homeowners should make sure that their basement windows open sufficiently for any member of the family to pass through should the need arise.  It is also a good idea to install specially made ladders that assist people in getting up and out of the well.

There are safety precautions to take outside, as well.  All window wells should be fitted with properly adjusted window well covers.  Uncovered window wells can present a danger to your family.  Children and pets can easily fall into the well.  Even adults need to be careful; window wells can be as much as three feet deep and 70 inches across and an awkward fall could result in serious injury.

Having sturdy covers over your window wells is especially important near walkways or in areas of high traffic or activity in your yard.  Wells are often hidden behind shrubbery and seldom thought about until someone takes a nasty spill.

There are two main types of window well covers: plastic and metal.  In either case, make sure the one(s) you choose are right for the kind of wells you have.  They should fit snuggly over the top of the well or have factory designed clips which hold it in place.  Of course, they should not fit so tightly that they could not be removed from the inside in case of emergency.  They also need to be strong.  Better models are able to withstand up to 250 pounds of pressure.

The clips, or locks, also prevent intruders from removing the covers.  When shopping for window well covers, look for ones that include a lock system that can be quickly opened from the inside, but that are as difficult as possible to get to from the outside.

It is certainly possible, and not uncommon, for people to fashion their own covers out of metal or plexiglass or some other type of plastic.  While this can save you money (the better covers can get up there in price), it is recommended only for those with experience (or great patience) in building.  Remember that these are first and foremost a safety implement.  They need to be just right in order to provide your household protection against accident.

More information on window wells