Ask a Designer: 10 Tailor-made Ideas for Window Dressings
If your window treatments are ready for a revamp, consider privacy, warmth, shape and style. Check out these ideas to get you started
With such a wide variety of properties out there – from barn conversions and new builds to Victorian terraces – it can be difficult to find a window dressing that suits. And when confronted with awkward shapes, large expanses of glass and issues of privacy, you often find the solution to a window dressing problem isn’t simple at all.
Sophisticated designs for contemporary apartments can be just as taxing as dealing with the question of whether or not to restore shutters in a Georgian building. So take a look at these creative ways to add individual style to your windows, whatever the architecture of your home.
Sophisticated designs for contemporary apartments can be just as taxing as dealing with the question of whether or not to restore shutters in a Georgian building. So take a look at these creative ways to add individual style to your windows, whatever the architecture of your home.
Invest in a bespoke combination
This idea is recommended particularly if you have unusual-shaped windows. Interior designers and curtain makers are very experienced in creating window dressings for the most awkward shapes and styles. There may be several options – and combinations of treatments – that will work, and your designer should be able to draw up a few examples for you to consider.
Explore 10 ways to incorporate glass into your home
This idea is recommended particularly if you have unusual-shaped windows. Interior designers and curtain makers are very experienced in creating window dressings for the most awkward shapes and styles. There may be several options – and combinations of treatments – that will work, and your designer should be able to draw up a few examples for you to consider.
Explore 10 ways to incorporate glass into your home
Double up
Net curtains have been an enduring favourite because they offer privacy and at the same time allow daylight to penetrate. However, textiles have come a long way from rather frilly designs of old and the same effect can be achieved with sumptuous new fabrics, some natural and some man-made.
A double row of drapes, as seen here, adds a touch of luxury to any window. The curtains closest to the panes are in a lightweight fabric to act as a privacy shield, while the other curtains are in a heavier fabric to block out light when required. The layered effect will bring a cosy feeling to the room and provide insulation.
Net curtains have been an enduring favourite because they offer privacy and at the same time allow daylight to penetrate. However, textiles have come a long way from rather frilly designs of old and the same effect can be achieved with sumptuous new fabrics, some natural and some man-made.
A double row of drapes, as seen here, adds a touch of luxury to any window. The curtains closest to the panes are in a lightweight fabric to act as a privacy shield, while the other curtains are in a heavier fabric to block out light when required. The layered effect will bring a cosy feeling to the room and provide insulation.
Reach halfway
When windows are adjacent to a road, you’ll probably want to maintain a level of privacy but still let in plenty of light. Shutters that go halfway up a window are a great compromise, and they can also fold back when they’re not required.
An alternative, more flexible, and perhaps more economical, solution to this problem is to install bottom-up roller blinds. These fix to the bottom of a window and roll up to the height you require.
When windows are adjacent to a road, you’ll probably want to maintain a level of privacy but still let in plenty of light. Shutters that go halfway up a window are a great compromise, and they can also fold back when they’re not required.
An alternative, more flexible, and perhaps more economical, solution to this problem is to install bottom-up roller blinds. These fix to the bottom of a window and roll up to the height you require.
Frame the bay
A curved or square bay window can be perplexing – do you fit curtains or blinds or both? And should they go straight across the recess or into it?
There are lots of options out there, and all with different price tags. Using roller blinds for each of the window panes in the bay is an affordable and practical solution that will reduce glare and provide privacy. Hanging a pair of curtains outside the bay will add interest, and can be closed for extra warmth and privacy if needed.
A curved or square bay window can be perplexing – do you fit curtains or blinds or both? And should they go straight across the recess or into it?
There are lots of options out there, and all with different price tags. Using roller blinds for each of the window panes in the bay is an affordable and practical solution that will reduce glare and provide privacy. Hanging a pair of curtains outside the bay will add interest, and can be closed for extra warmth and privacy if needed.
Close with a wand
If you have a heavy set of curtains across a large expanse of window consider using a wand to make them easier to open and close. This thin pole attaches to the top of the leading edge of the curtain and instead of pulling on the fabric to close the curtains, you pull on the pole. Wands are perfect for full-length drapes as they make them so much easier to handle. They also help keep light-coloured curtains cleaner and ensure the fabric retains its shape.
For a curved window wall, as seen here, you’ll need a curved rail. These are much easier to install than you think and can be fitted onto the wall or even inset into the ceiling. Ask a professional curtain fitter to measure up and suggest the best type to suit you.
If you have a heavy set of curtains across a large expanse of window consider using a wand to make them easier to open and close. This thin pole attaches to the top of the leading edge of the curtain and instead of pulling on the fabric to close the curtains, you pull on the pole. Wands are perfect for full-length drapes as they make them so much easier to handle. They also help keep light-coloured curtains cleaner and ensure the fabric retains its shape.
For a curved window wall, as seen here, you’ll need a curved rail. These are much easier to install than you think and can be fitted onto the wall or even inset into the ceiling. Ask a professional curtain fitter to measure up and suggest the best type to suit you.
Blend in with the walls
If you like cool neutrals and are aiming for a simple, unfussy look in your room, you may prefer your curtains to be plain and simple. One design trick is to match them to the colour of your walls so they visually recede, creating a serene atmosphere.
Discover tips on how to do neutral with attitude
If you like cool neutrals and are aiming for a simple, unfussy look in your room, you may prefer your curtains to be plain and simple. One design trick is to match them to the colour of your walls so they visually recede, creating a serene atmosphere.
Discover tips on how to do neutral with attitude
Hide the fittings
Things can get a little busy with all the fixtures and fittings involved with hanging curtains, so consider hiding them all with a pelmet. This will ensure smooth, clean lines and a neat finish, and it also means you can opt for less-expensive rails because they won’t be seen.
Things can get a little busy with all the fixtures and fittings involved with hanging curtains, so consider hiding them all with a pelmet. This will ensure smooth, clean lines and a neat finish, and it also means you can opt for less-expensive rails because they won’t be seen.
Go for decoration
If you don’t want to do anything too bold with the walls or floor in your scheme, but are looking for a way to bring in pattern or colour, then curtains might be the perfect solution. Go for something full length to make them stand out. In this room, the curtains perform a purely decorative function – and they look great!
Check out clashing colours and patterns that work
If you don’t want to do anything too bold with the walls or floor in your scheme, but are looking for a way to bring in pattern or colour, then curtains might be the perfect solution. Go for something full length to make them stand out. In this room, the curtains perform a purely decorative function – and they look great!
Check out clashing colours and patterns that work
Explore alternatives
Window dressings are not just about fabric drapes and blinds. You can ‘dress’ with ornaments or pictures, using the window itself as a frame. This is a great way to ensure privacy while bringing character into a space.
TELL US…
Do you have any bespoke window fittings in your home? We’d love to see photos in the Comments below.
Window dressings are not just about fabric drapes and blinds. You can ‘dress’ with ornaments or pictures, using the window itself as a frame. This is a great way to ensure privacy while bringing character into a space.
TELL US…
Do you have any bespoke window fittings in your home? We’d love to see photos in the Comments below.
If privacy is what you’re after, but you don’t want the fuss of net curtains, it might be worth giving window film a go. It’s much more durable than you might think, and is also fairly easy to fit. What’s more, you can choose just about any pattern and colour you like. Just ensure you’ve measured the panes of glass accurately so the pattern goes exactly where you want it to.
This idea is perfect for rented homes, because it’s low cost and you can remove the film when you leave.