Window painting is the best kind of seasonal decorating for a rental. It costs very little, takes an hour, leaves no marks when you do it right, and it can switch to snowflakes the weekend after Thanksgiving. Here’s what to draw, and what to draw with.

What to use

Liquid chalk markers for grown-up designs. The Bandle B. liquid chalk markers (on Amazon) come in 24 colors and are water-based. The maker says they wipe off non-porous surfaces like glass with a damp cloth. They also say never to use them on a chalkboard, so keep them on the window.

Window crayons for kids. Crayola washable window crayons (on Amazon) are made for glass and come five to a box. They go on thicker and softer than markers, which is easier for small hands.

Clings if you don’t want to draw. A set of Thanksgiving window clings (on Amazon) has nine sheets of turkeys and leaves. Mix a few with your drawing, or use them alone.

Whatever you use, test a small corner first, let it dry, and wipe it. Some window coatings and tints don’t like markers. Also check that your window isn’t the textured or frosted kind; markers settle into the texture.

Designs that read from the street

Big, simple shapes win. From outside, fine detail disappears.

  1. A leaf border. Draw maple and oak leaves in orange, red and yellow around the edges of the glass, denser in the corners, thinning toward the middle.
  2. Three pumpkins on the bottom edge. Different sizes, with curved lines for the ribs and a short green stem.
  3. One word. “Grateful,” “Gather” or “Thankful,” in big lettering across the middle pane. Write it backwards on the inside if you want it to read from outside; most people just letter it for the room.
  4. A wreath of leaves. A loose circle of leaves around a single word or your house number.

Before you start

Clean the glass with a streak-free cleaner and let it dry. Sketch the design first with a dry-erase marker or a white crayon, which wipes off easily if you change your mind.

Cleaning it off

Spray with water, wait a minute, and wipe with a damp microfiber cloth. Follow with glass cleaner. If anything ghosts, a little rubbing alcohol on a cloth helps.

Pair the window with a Thanksgiving porch or a fall entryway. When Thanksgiving is over, wipe it clean and start on Christmas window ideas.