We've said time and time again that natural light and mirrors will make any space bigger. Usually we are referring to eye level solutions, however, this homeowner is thinking outside of the box and for a $10 improvement they just raised the roof — visually of course.
Heather over at Decor Hacks (which should be on your blog roll by now) introduced us to this wonderful project over at In My Own Style. For the cost of a floor mirror and a few pieces of scrap trim, Diane created a transom that gives not only height, but architectural style to an otherwise normal doorway.
Sure, it's not a real window — that would involve contractors and high expenses. But, it would be great in small spaces, especially tiny apartments, to give you the feel of having the most space possible. It's a fun project so make sure to check out more details on making one yourself over at In My Own Style.
Image: In My Own Style
Before & After: Emily Henderson Transforms a Senior's Studio Space
Monica & Austin's Charming Bungalow
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
White Enamel Four-P...
How to Make Easy 3-Ingredient Energy Bars at Home
True Greek Recipe: Paximadi Bread Salad with Tomatoes, Feta and Capers
my bedroom doorway is similar (with french doors) and this would look fantastic.
great idea!
This post might be more dramatic if you placed the pictures side by side. I kept scrolling up and down to see what was different. I do like the slipcovered chair, though. :)
This actually gave me an idea. We have a big open doorway from our kitchen to our family room. I wonder if I could make a transom-type-thing over the doorway?
Love! Quick question, did you do the same thing on the opposite side?
What a clever idea!
Gonna do this now in my new place. :-)
I think this is a great way to add architectural detail to a home - Reminds me of Design Star where one designer added mouldings and trim below the windows of a room to ground them add that special detail.
wow!! what an illusion! It took me a couple times to see it! Great!
Height, style AND drama. So very cool, love this idea!
Great idea!
Brilliant!
holymoly... this is freaking great!!!
Really inspired idea . . . .
This is an original idea! It looks fantastic.
Why not just knock out the portion above the archway .
I agree with 'CanadianTired', beyond the contractor/cost issue was there any structural reasons bot to make an actual transom.
Good idea though is there is a structural reason.
This is great. Reminds me of how putting stuff up near the ceiling creates height. Must try something similar in my home. Thanks!
That is actually pretty darn clever.
Very smart. :)
seamusdubh - In many homes, this wall can be load bearing and if you would have to remove the support and re-brace it in order to install the windows.
Brilliant!!
Oh yeah! Love stuff like this you can do on the cheap that adds so much to a room!
We have three doors leading off from a landing in our home. The previous owners had removed the glass above them all and shabbily panelled over them leaving the landing very dark.
I removed the panels and replaced the glass in two of them, which now lets some natural light onto the landing when the doors are closed.
The third had actually been covered very nicely inside the room so I used a piece of mirror glass on the landing instead. It's almost impossible to tell that only two of the doors have real windows above them.
Oooh clever! I thought it was a window! Is this detail on the other side as well?
Really love this idea.
@sarah--
The space above a doorway/archway is never load bearing...
...it was clear that the homeowner simply didn't want to go to the trouble and expense of tearing out that portion of the wall - which is a perfectly legitimate position to take.
Very clever, love it!
I don't understand why anyone would want to do this. Why not just add drammatic moldings to the opening? That way the architecture of the house is heightened, not falsified.
@ bepsf, ?
bepsf, we just had the wall between our kitchen and living room removed and since it was load bearing we had to install a beam to take the load off, and support, the wall on the above floor. It looks similar to the picture above but our opening is slightly wider.
That looks great! Good Job!