Ways to make small windows look bigger without replacing them?

[AlicethroughtheSpookingGlass]

We’ve recently moved into a new flat and I have become a bit fixated on the short windows in the kitchen making it feel dark and small. We are having our kitchen replaced in a few weeks so the tiles/worktop will not look this horrible for that much longer - we’re going for an oak worktop and (clean) white walls so hopefully that will make it feel a lot brighter - but is there any way to make the windows look bigger than they are? At the moment I’m contemplating whether we could replace the existing windows with bigger windows (probably in a few years time) but is it a horrifically expensive or complicated job?

Agree the thick cross frame is not great, but think the mirrors trick is brilliant. I think your main problem is the tiles and work surface though. Something light and plain would make the windows stand out less.

A couple of kitchens I've been in recently have a very light grey worktop, that seems to reflect a lot of light back into the room. Even a light floor can help.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. For everyone who has mentioned getting rid of the tiles - don’t worry, that is definitely happening in a few weeks when the kitchen is stripped out! It’ll just be plain white walls initially, and an oak upstand. Really intrigued by the idea of hanging blinds higher than the window itself so would love to try that if it doesn’t cut out too much light.

And to the person who mentioned all the clutter, absolutely! We only moved in a few weeks ago, have a tiny baby and are having work done throughout the place so the kitchen is a total state at the moment. Honestly, you should see what’s out of shot. Soon it will be an oasis of clear calm. (I hope!)

Don't get oak worktops - they get ruined really easily. They end up black around the sink from the water, they get stained razor easily from food splashes and if you leave anything like a coffee tin or food tin on them you get black rings.

We had wood work tops and loved them but it is effort to look after them and they don't reflect light.

We moved house and didn't get them as our DC were older and I knew they would damage them through being careless and just being teens/kids - didn't wan t the stress!

My wood worktops have lasted 8 years without needing a second oil. You just need to use osmo or morells instead of danish oil.

I had wooden worktops in two previous kitchens. Someone used a knife to slice something without a chopping board and sliced into the worktop! Also, I was left with two black ring marks from wet cans sitting at the side of the sink.