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Ideas for inexpensive window treatment for wide window

14 years ago

My daughter recently moved to an apartment complex and has a wide picture type window in the living room. She needs to get inexpensive blinds, curtains or something for privacy at night.

The inside measurement of the window is 87" wide and 55 inches long. Depth is 4" and the complex does not allow holes in the moulding. They supply white sheers that must be on every window and these are hung on rods mounted on the wall on the outside edge of the moulding.

My thought is we would need to use a tension rod on the inside of the window frame and maybe hang two fabric type tie up curtains side by side that could be let down in the evening?

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated! Her color scheme is very neutral with offwhite walls, beige carpet, a choclate brown sofa and currently only the white sheers on the window with brown V shaped valances across the top.

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Comments (7)

clt3
14 years ago
I don't have a suggestion, but I don't think a tension rod will work on a window this wide. The weight of the curtain will pull it down. I'm not even sure the rod would come this wide.
2ajsmama
14 years ago
Why not replace the rod that's there with a double rod using the same holes (maybe even the same brackets?) so she can use the sheers as required, but add an opaque drape over them for privacy/light control?

If the complex allows more holes in the drywall (as long as you patch them when you leave) then you can just leave the existing rod and put a longer one over it. What is the valance hung on right now?
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If you want the window as uncovered as possible during the day, I would look into shades that you can raise during the day and lower at night. If you are fine with having some of the window obscured during the day, I would consider Silhouette shades. The sheers protect the interiors from UV light and help bring natural daylight further into the room. Shutters would be a nice look, but I'm concerned about opening and closing the louvers. I'm assuming since you want privacy at night, you will want to keep the window treatments closed at night. If the sofa is going to be sitting in front of the window, you are going to constantly be reaching over the sofa to open and close the louvers. With Silhouettes, you can get a similar look to the shutters, but you can operate them with a cord (which can be placed on the side of the window that is most convenient to reach) or they can be motorized. Silhouette shades also come in wide widths, so you should be able to cover that window with one shade.
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amysrq
14 years ago
Rules are meant to be broken.

Are the sheers supposed to be closed all the time? If so, the complex is just looking for a "uniform appearance" and I think maybe she could replace the sheers with something white that would let light in, provide more privacy and still provide the "uniform appearance" from outside. I think those rules are designed to keep people from hanging their multi-color bedsheets as curtains.

A bit of design anarchy? Perhaps. But, my sense is that as long as she obeys the spirit of the law, no one will hold her to the letter of the law.
smiling
14 years ago
Something like this might work. It's the right size widthwise, and can be hung from the celing with small screws (easy to patch when moving). The IKEA panels which fit this start at about $10 so that may fit her budget.

Here is a link that might be useful: IKEA ceiling suspension for panels
annzgw
14 years ago
With that width the most expensive item will be the rod. If she wants to save some $$, she could buy a closet rod from Home Depot and have it cut to length. Then paint, or stain it, add finials on each end and use some rings with clips to hang her curtains.

She could use the bracket linked below, and for her curtains buy some sheets from Tues. Morning (or any other discount store) cut to length and use fabric glue to hem, if she doesn't sew, and then hang the sheets using rings with clips.
If you catch JCP during a sale she can save even more.

Home Depot & BedBath&Beyond also have good prices on rings etc.

Also check out: http://www.countrycurtains.com/

Here is a link that might be useful: JCP
bobtheblindguy
14 years ago
I remember my daughters first apt. Was on 1st floor with 3 big windows. I wanted to make sure there was total privacy. They had similiar restrictions. I install vertical blinds for privacy and side panels for privacy on the sides. Felt much better about her living there then. They don't leave you many options by not allowing to drill a hole inside the window opening. My suggestion is to put up a vertical blind or drape over the sheer. You can mount into the wall so you'll be in compliance.
rjinga
14 years ago
I should have said "raw" silk, not necessarily faux :)

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