How We Hid A Window

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This project started wwwaaayyy back when first moved in. I think we'd been here less than a month. We were trying to figure out where to put the TV. In our last home we decided that we really don't like sitting with our backs to the front window. We like looking outside from where we sit.

The front window brings in enough light. So, we decided we didn't need the other window and it was the perfect spot for the TV.

I just finished painting the front window not too long ago. Front Window Makeover

I can barely remember how terrible the living room looked back then. This is the only photo I can find of that particular living room window. It wasn't like that for long. This was when we ripped out the lovely green carpet. 😜

Hubby started removing all of the window trim.

Let me just add here.... we are not professionals. And actually, we had no idea if this was the right way to do this. It just made sense to us. If we ever need to get into that window, we can. It will be a mess, but we can do it. 

 After we finished this 'hide a window project', I asked the contractor that renovated our church's kitchen, if this would be okay. He had to hide a window in the kitchen remodel. He said, "Yep, should be fine!" Sounds good to me! 👍

Now that the trim was removed, we needed to cover the windows. I just glued in white poster board. I thought it would look best white. Black would soak in too much heat, white is reflective. That was my reasoning.

I feel it looks just fine from the outside. You'd never know we covered over this window. 😊

Then we added supports where we were going to attach the TV mount. Nice and solid!

Next, we added insulation. It seemed like the right thing to do.

There was only a thin lip left for us to cover this window. We used underlayment, which is super thin.

Cut some holes for the cords to go through. I don't like seeing cords....

And that's the way it sat for four years... You can see it here when we were repairing the wall from taking out the baseboard heaters.

Since we were repairing the wall from the baseboard heaters, it seemed like a good time to finish the 'Hide A Window' project.

Of course, I forgot to take any photos of it being mudded. But basically that's all I did. I threw on a ton of joint compound and smoothed it out. Once it was painted you could hardly tell there was ever a window there!

Yes, I could've left it like this. However, if you looked super close in real life you could barely see where the window was. Plus I wanted to do something fun on this wall. We decided to batten the wall.

It's basically thin strips of wood placed evenly apart on the wall.

Once we determined how many battens we wanted and the spacing, then we were ready to go! There are plenty of batten calculators online that will figure it out for you. 

Using a laser level is a GAME CHANGER! It insured that the battens were straight and level.

I also used a spacer to help in the process. I cut it to the exact width between each batten. Looking good so far!

Lots of caulking and nail holes to fill....

Almost had a snag.... I really didn't want to cut a batten for an outlet... Thankfully, I just had to carve out the edge of a board. Whew! Not too bad! And yes, I can get the outlet cover on and off.

We finished!! Yay! I'd have to say, I'm thrilled with how it all turned out! What a difference! 

Ready???? From this...

To this...

I re-stained the bookcases and added new white backs to them. Did a little styling and voila'. I'm really happy with how the whole living room has come together... I'm now on the hunt for a new rug!

Blessings,
Lori