that's a cool idea judy.
makes the windows look bigger without looking super fake.

Came across this picture by chance, and I agree, yoboseiyo. The color of the panel could coordinate with the color of any sofa. And glass pieces in that tiny window give an added punch, IMO.

Thank you for your suggestion Judy, however I feel this look is a bit too modern form my traditional tastes. The idea is great though!

Unless privacy or blocking the light is the issue, I would leave them uncovered.

Browse through some of these Houzz photos:
https://www.houzz.com/photos/basement-window-treatment-phbr0lbl-bl~l_540

What about light filtering cellular blinds?

Thanks everyone for the ideas. I've thought about several of those things. I'm thinking of using light filtering cellular shades and debating if it's worth the additional cost of getting the top down style so you can see the window. Privacy is not an issue, but the shrubs outside don't really lend much of a view. In addition, they are on the east side of the house, and we'll rarely use this room in morning. I'm leaning toward the basic cordless cellular shades and full length window panels. I'll let the blinds hang low enough and hang the panels wide enough to give the illusion of the windows being bigger.

Anyone care to add any suggestions on crown molding? We can't decide if we should have it or not. If we add it, we will use a smaller profile. Difference between our house and the picture is that it would go directly against the painted block wall, not drywall. Thanks!

I don't see the value in putting crown moulding onto a block wall. I also would not add anything that would cover the windows since they are going to be very limited in the amount of light they can bring to the space.

I like the finished look the crown adds to the room you posted. I would consider using a flat piece of trim along the top, nothing too fancy. Hold up a piece of your baseboard along the top and see what you think.

Home Depot has top down bottom up cellular shades at a reasonable price in white, Sahara and tan. I work in the flooring and decor department. Their durable and of good quality.

The problem with suggestions for making the windows look larger (other than Judy's cool find) is that it will always be at the expense of light. The only way to make the illusion work is to not see the window, which means blinds or curtains substantially larger than the window and always closed. I'd skip it in favor of the light, and put your focus on art and other things to make the room welcoming and cozy.

Also, don't see any benefit to crown moulding in your space, unless the ceilings are higher than they look -- they can only lower the ceiling space visually. A basement doesn't need that level of formality anyway, at least on the structural front.

Thanks for the info, Christina! I've had good luck with blinds at Home Depot before, but haven't tried that style. It's good to know they are good quality.

Are there other windows that provide the emergency escape and egress?

Thanks, acm! My concern is that the windows are quite small and because they are east facing and there are bushes outside the window (removing them is not an option), I think camouflaging the windows to look bigger will provide more benefit than trying to get in just a little bit of light.

Also, thanks for the thought on the crown! I agree it may make the space seem a bit shorter and the ceiling is only 7 feet to begin with, so I don't want to make it feel even shorter. My only concern and reason for adding it would be the unfinished look of the wood inserted between the top of the block wall and the joists. We painted it, but it's not truly finished. I thought about putting up a small board as linlac suggested and painting it the same color as the walls?

@ProSource, no, there are no egress windows. Just 2 more windows this size in another room. It's an older home.

HI -- Here is an idea that is a bit of a trick to the eye that works . Apply casing around the window but taking the sides and bottom casing down to the length of a bigger window size that you would like . Then put mirror on the bottom part covering to wall within that casing . Now apply shutters to the whole casing frame as if it is a full window . The mirror showing through the shutter slats will make it look like it is a much bigger window .

I would have someone excavate down five or six feet for a full egress window and improve the space.

I'd caution you to be very careful about a space that doesn't have egress. Your local codes office can require you to immediately do a window well and egress window if you change the useage. It's part of the requirements for a "habitable space". Until that happens, be sure that you have several readily accessible fire extinguishers there, and hold drills so that your family can figure out how to get out in the event of a fire. You might also want to look at the flammabilty rating of any textiles that you introduce.

I really like the picture that JudyG Designs posted at the top but if that is too modern, I think I would stick with venetian blinds that go a few inches past the window to give them the appearance of being slightly larger.. maybe 8-12" past the actual window. I would also suggest keeping the blinds a light, neutral colour. Good luck and would love to hear your decision in the end!

Thank you for your concerns Sustainable Dwellings and ProSource, but this is not an option. We have no desire to do this sort of structural work. Basements finished like this are very common in our area with houses of this age and even newer. Code only requires an egress window if the room is a designated bedroom.

You can purchase vintage window frames that are the same width as your window and as long as you want. Mount them over your window and put mirror behind the portion that is under your window. This extends and window to be a full one and reflects light from your room to brighten things up. You can hang panels on each side that are full enough to close for privacy. Here are some mock windows using mirror to fool the eye.

Replace with glass block window. I had mine installed by a contractor for less than the price of the windows alone at Home Depot. They not only provide privacy but the pattern in the glass reflects additional light into the basement. They also can include ventilation ports and dryer vents. You'll find it's the best deal for the money ever!

Stacy, the first idea was the best but you thought it was too modern so get rustic shutters to use. Of course turn them like JudyG suggested. Or look at the sliding shutter. Put both shutters on a slide and open and close as one unit.