How to Decorate a Room Without Windows

When natural light is limited, your decor style becomes the key to shaping the mood of the space. Start by thinking about how you want the room to feel: serene, cozy, bold, playful?

From airy neutrals to expressive murals, wallpaper creates atmosphere in a way paint can’t. You might go for a soft, minimalist print to calm a bathroom, or wrap a reading nook in a moody artistic mural for depth and drama. For smaller windowless rooms, consider wrapping all four walls in one continuous wallpaper design to build immersive character, or choose a single feature wall to make a strong statement. Not sure what your style is? Here's our guide on how to find your decor style.

A lack of windows doesn’t mean your room has to stay dark. The colors and patterns you choose for your wallpaper can have a big impact on how bright and open the space feels. Go for light, uplifting tones like soft white, cream, blush, or sky blue to create an airy atmosphere.

Wallpapers with gentle textures or faux texture effect prints - such as marble, wood, or watercolor washes - add visual interest without overwhelming the room. These designs help soften the space and give it a fresh, inviting look. Pair with layered lighting and pale furnishings to enhance the brightness and create a clean, harmonious feel.

These tactile, light-enhancing effects make the space feel more open, luminous, and airy, especially when paired with well-planned lighting.

In the absence of natural light, artificial lighting takes center stage. Layering your lighting sources makes all the difference. Combine overhead lighting with floor lamps, wall sconces, and table lamps to create dimension and mood.

Consider how your wallpaper interacts with light: cool-toned bulbs can highlight blues and greens, while warm light enhances earthy tones like terracotta, gold, and blush. Avoid harsh, directional lights on matte dark wallpaper, as they can create unwanted shadows and flatten the design.

Who says a room without windows can’t have a view? Scenic murals are ideal for adding depth and connection to the outside world. Choose a forest landscape, tropical garden, or a misty mountain range to create the illusion of openness.

Trompe-l'œil window murals and biophilic designs, such as our Palm House mural, trick the eye into seeing more space. These designs don’t just expand your room visually, they create a calming, refreshing atmosphere that feels close to nature.

It’s a myth that small or dark spaces always need pale colors. In fact, windowless rooms are the perfect place to be daring with design. Without sunlight washing over the walls, bold wallpaper patterns and deep tones can truly shine.

Try a dramatic floral in a powder room or a vibrant geometric in a hallway. A richly colored artistic wallpaper wrapped around a snug space turns it into a jewel-box interior that feels intentional and expressive. Just be mindful of scale - larger patterns work best in larger rooms, while tighter prints suit compact spaces - and layer in plenty of light to bring your design to life.

In windowless rooms, decorating the ceiling can help lift the space and draw the eye upward. A subtle wallpaper on the ceiling adds interest without overwhelming the room, while a panoramic mural that wraps up the wall and across the ceiling creates a dynamic sense of flow and expansion.

You can also get creative by zoning your walls. Use vertical stripes to visually stretch the room’s height, or combine paint and wallpaper in interesting configurations - like framing a bedhead or defining a reading corner - to add depth and character to flat surfaces.

Peel and stick wallpaper is ideal for experimenting with these ideas. It’s easy to install, removable, and perfect for feature zones, alcoves, stair risers, or even furniture. Try a playful print in that awkward corner or a bold design inside a closet-turned-office for an unexpected burst of style. For more inspiring ideas, check out our Peel and Stick Wallpaper Ideas guide.

Decorating a room without windows might feel like a challenge, but it’s really an opportunity to break free from the usual rules. With the right wallpaper, smart lighting, and clever styling, you can turn any enclosed space into a creative, cozy, and captivating room you love spending time in.

Ready to transform your space? Explore our curated wallpaper collections - designed to reflect light, create depth, and bring beauty to every corner, no windows required.