Faux Window Frame With a View

You Will Need:

• Lumber (Decide the size for your window and measure and make cuts accordingly)
• Poster-sized photo print out
• Glue and nails
• Wooden plugs to fill screw holes
• 6 Hinges
• Sandpaper
• Primer
• Paint (gloss white)
• Chop saw
• Table saw
• Nailer
• Tape Measure
• Screwdriver
• Jig saw
• Electric sander
• Paintbrush
• Pocket hole jig and pocket hole screws

I cut two pieces of 1x3 for the sides of the frame and then a 1x5 for the top and 1x2 for the bottom. I cut the top wider in order to house the crown molding cornice piece later on.

I used a pocket hole jig and pocket hole screws to attach the four boards together at the joints for my window frame. I used a combination of wood glue and pocket hole screws to create a sturdy frame. Insert two screws on your bottom joints and three screws on the top and apply wood glue to attach the frame.

I joined two pieces of wood to create a recessed area to hold the backing board and photos. The back piece was ½ inch narrower than the front piece in order to create a recessed area to inset the backing board and photos. Join the pieces using wood glue and nails.

I cut a piece of wood at a 45-degree angle to create a french cleat to attach the frame to the wall. I used my table saw to cut the two pieces; one to attach to the back of the frame and another piece with a corresponding edge to attach to the wall. You can use any kind of hardware to install the frame to your wall but I chose to create the french cleat in order to hang the window very tightly and close to the wall.

I bought a piece of crown molding to create a decorative cornice on the top of the window frame. I mitered the corners at a 45-degree angle and attached it with wood glue and a nailer.

I used a 1x3 to create a window sill at the base of the window frame. I measured and cut the board to allow the sill to extend out by 2 inches on either side of the frame and rounded off the external corners with my jig saw. Attach the window sill piece with wood glue and screws. 

I cut side, top, and bottom rails to create paneled doors for the front of the window frame. I used pocket screws on the joints to create the doors and placed two screws in each corner with glue, then one screw and glue on each of the center rails. I covered the pocket hole screw holes that would be visible when the doors are opened with wood plugs.

I filled in the nail holes and then sanded both the frame and the doors. I used a belt sander to lightly sand the wood plugs on the door and used a palm sander to smooth the rest. After sanding, I applied a coat of water-based primer. Once my primer was dry, I gave the entire frame a light sanding and then applied two coats of a water-based gloss white paint.

After the paint was dry, I installed three satin nickel cabinet hinges on each door and frame using screws. Choose hinges that appeal to you for your project and install for doors that open and close.

I photoshopped photos onto a sheet of plywood cut to size to act as the backing board inside my frame in order to get an idea of what I wanted to display inside. Place your favorite vacation photo or printed stock photo in a poster-sized print inside the window frame to create the view of your choice.

I’m thrilled with how the faux window photo frame adds the appearance of a beautiful view to a windowless space in the home, instantly changing its entire atmosphere. This could be finished with glass to even further create the illusion of a window. When you’re not able to be in your favorite place in the world, try this project to create a way to bring that view to you. Whether you use stock photos of a place you long to visit or your own photos from an amazing trip, you will be amazed by the light, depth, and the illusion of a larger space the faux window brings to the room.

Have you displayed your favorite vacation photos in a creative and beautiful way or built a faux window to add a view to a room without one? Share your tips and photos of your best faux window and photo display solutions at Hometalk!