Window Art in Autumn: Bringing Light and Color into Your Home

Autumn is officially here

The green trees are turning to gold, the rustling of the leaves awakens childhood memories, the first pumpkin soups are already simmering, and the autumn decorations are slowly finding their way out of the cellar. Now begins the time of year when daylight becomes a privilege in some countries, and the sun loves to play hide and seek, a game that in Germany can last for days.

And here I am again, standing by the window, trying to catch the last rays of the setting sun. My favorite tree has traded its bright green coat for a yellow one, and together we watch the colorful autumn sky, red, orange, pink, yellow, purple, blue, gray, and white.

Two years ago, on an evening just like this, an idea came to me. If the sky were my window and its colors changed with every season, how would my home shine then?

As you probably know me by now, I simply had to try it out. At home, I only had some basic acrylic paints, but they were perfect for experimenting. Since I rarely think too long when painting, I took the brush and started right away, completely spontaneous. I thought, what could go wrong, after all, I could just wash it off again. To begin with, I wanted to keep it simple, maybe a soft color gradient that would make my window look like a painter’s palette.

I also wanted to try something new and decided to add a slight 3D effect at the end of the gradient. For that, I mixed gold acrylic paint with liquid glue and first outlined the design on the glass. Once it had dried, I started painting the gradient. At first, I was not completely satisfied with the result, but it instantly lifted my mood. That was the moment I knew that a playful and creative time was beginning for me.

My first Window-painting in 2023

Brushstroke by brushstroke, season by season, pattern by pattern, I could express my colorful side more and more. Some windows turned out better than others, but that never really mattered. The important thing was that I had fun, and maybe my neighbors got to enjoy a bit more color in their view as well.

So, if you love stained glass art and admire the play between light and color, or if you simply want to add a little privacy to your home in a creative way, I can truly recommend painting your windows. It is a renter-friendly option, very easy to do, highly customizable, and above all affordable. It is also a wonderful activity for families, since children can easily join in.

Get inspired online or create your own designs. If freehand drawing is not your strength, use the tracing method to transfer your designs onto the glass.

A little tip from experience: in rooms with higher humidity, like the kitchen, you can seal your finished and dried artwork with varnish so that the paint does not run, especially during winter around the window edges. Varnish is also a perfect way to create a transparent but blurry effect. For cleaning, use a sponge with a bit of dish soap, keep the glass damp, and gently remove the paint with a scraper.

Attached, you’ll find some of my window artworks from across the seasons, including my two favorites with autumn patterns.

Which one do you like best?

I cannot wait to see your own creations.

Have fun creating!