I'd probably fill it in with glass blocks, or better yet a pane of textured glass with some nice trim, I once saw some glass that had texture of leaves on it, which would look really pretty there. Which ever fits the style of the house.

Could you install shutters up there and use it for storage space?

What are the dimensions of the space, including the depth?

Yes -- it is true -- whatever you put up there -- it will eventually get dusty!

Well -- that said -- you COULD consider pretty fabric-covered or wallpaper-covered storage boxes (for out-of-season clothes or accessories)

OR antique wicker or woven baskets

Or simply a couple of fake orchid plants in a simple pot (make sure that you get a couple or more silk plants so that the pot looks "full")

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

How about looking for an old, stained glass transom to hang in the space.

I have lots of those "weird" spaces in my home, modern architecture. I don't put anything in them....but .....I "do" get out a ladder once a week to water the house plants that are displayed up high. It's TOO MUCH trouble.....don't do it! :0) Leave it empty....save yourself the grief....

It was probably put there to let natural light get through to the other room. My first thought was to put up a leaded glass panel. Stained glass might be too "busy" and could look "dated" or you would tire of the theme or color scheme of it in no time. You probably do not want to block the light transfer with stained glass. A clear leaded glass panel would be pretty and functional. If you install something it should go with the architecture of the house.

I would definitely close it up. I would worry about odors, steam and "noises" from the bathroom coming into the bedroom.

If you cannot or don't wan to install something maybe just put up some eye hooks and hang a large panel on little chains.

If it were my home, I think I'd built a simple frame and install leaded glass, etched glass or some kind of opaque glass inside the frame. Stain the wood to match your trim, or furniture stains and call it done.

It's like a transom that isn't matched with a door or window.

When my parents built their house they deliberately left spaces like this between several rooms and glassed them in from both sides. They can be opened (I think some of the glass slides), and they display some of their glassware etc up there, but thanks to the glass there is no dust problem.

Buying some tracks for sliding glass panels and installing them yourself might not be rocket science.

Even easier might be to install something fixed. You would simply get long pieces of wood, maybe 1x2s (thinner might split when you nail or screw it), and attach strips of it off-centre on the ledge itself, up the sides of the opening, and across the top. Then put a panel of plywood, glass, or plexiglass against that frame, and install a similar set of strips against that panel to hold it in. You cold get as fancy as you wanted with painting or wallpapering the plywood, using coloured or stained/leaded glass, or what have you with plexiglass. Heck, it could be a piece of artwork. You could change it out from time to time. You'd still get dust on the ledge a bit, but one of those long-handled dusters would take care of that.

I also like Dilly's suggestion of hanging a panel inside the opening or across it. You could actually just treat it like a window and explore various drapery-type options such as a valance or a high curtain even - a curtain from both sides would keep the dust out. Sheers would still let light through. All you would need to install would be a rod on each side.

It all depends on whether you want the light coming through and whether you care if sound etc is transmitted (good point on that one, Dilly!).

KarinL

Oh dilly- you are so right about the noises and smells. Let me tell you- I hate that damn opening when my husband is in the bathroom and I'm in bed at night! I've gotten some great ideas- thank you! I may have to do something like a clear, pretty glass. I'm going to wait until I re-decorate the room and see what I think then. Thanks!

Until you can install something (love the glass brick idea) or close it up, why not put some simple curtains up there? It'll look like you have a window there.

Or perhaps a tapestry? You might be able to hang it from the ceiling just in front of the gaping hole. Good luck!