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Home Decorating

Need curtain advice for tricky windows

8 years ago

I recently moved into a new home, and the living room has 3 windows on one wall with 2 windows and a door on the adjacent wall. My main sticking points that I'm not sure about are:

1) The windows are only about 8 inches apart. So I should just hang one panel between windows, right? Or should I even hang a panel between each window? Would that make the room look crowded somehow?

2) What should I do about the corner? There's about 8 inches between each window and the corner. Should I hang 2 panels in the corner (one on each wall)?

3) How do I deal with the window next to the door? There's only about 6 inches between the window and door. If I hang a panel there, I'm thinking the the curtain will get constantly shut in the door and frequently get in the way of the door opening and closing.

Thanks in advance to the advice!

Featured Answer

Annie Deighnaugh

8 years ago

Do you need light control? Privacy? Do you like the venetian blinds?

If you want to add panels, then one between each window and one on each end will work.

Vallejo Street · More Info

You could replace the venetian blinds with roman shades with drapes on the sides.

Hollywood Residence · More Info

You could do a valance or cornice across the top to unite the windows

Portfolio · More Info

Traditional Family Room · More Info

You could do a single corner rod and just to panels on each end and one in the corner.

Powell Residence Living Room · More Info

Weston Residence · More Info

In any case, I'd treat the door separately as it functions separately.

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Comments (9)

eld6161
8 years ago
Calling Annie Deighnaugh!
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I think this is one of these things that should have a "post-game analysis" of sorts. I don't mean to be critical, but this will be analytical and it may help someone else who builds a house in the future. The idea here is nice, and the essentially linked windows are similar to a true palladian window, with the tall window in the middle and subordinate windows on either side of a height equal to the bottom sash...fine. But you've kind of backed yourself into a design corner because these particular windows need to be covered, and yet you don't want to cover them too much, or all the time. A palladian window in an 18th or 19th c house would be treated like this: The walls would be thick enough that shutters would fold over the small windows and fold back into shallow pockets in the jambs when you wanted them out of the way. The larger window would be elaborately draped because of the curve or possibly mostly left bare,depending. If you were to design this over again---or if your architect does do this again in another house---a peak that was wide enough to allow a single rod or top mounted treatment that was wide enough to cover all three windows completely should be one thing considered, or more room for shutters to be folded back would be another, a shorter or differently proportioned window in the middle another. I think that windows are often designed as if they can all be left uncovered because nobody's windows need to be covered for privacy or light control. And really the opposite is true. Almost Every window should be designed if it will need to be covered for privacy or light control, and if it doesn't great, but if it does you are not faced with several less than ideal options and possibly some really awkward options but no perfect options.
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This question frequently comes up. It is such a personal decision based on whether or not you need heat/light/privacy control. Do you open your windows? Do you want to see your view? What kind of look do you prefer? I do not use any shades that can be seen during the day. They come down in the bathrooms after dark. I greatly dislike shades that cover the windows 24/7. How do your window treatments look from the outside? I always prefer curtains or shutters because I like that look. Dark blinds or shades create a cave-like feeling. Do you want light/bright interiors?
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k9arlene
8 years ago
Agree with a panel between each window and panels at each end.
nickih85 thanked k9arlene
jewelisfabulous
8 years ago
What about her concern that the panel on the end by the door will keep getting shut in it?
nickih85 thanked jewelisfabulous
Annie Deighnaugh
8 years ago
You can always do a small cup hook and a thread loop on the panel by the door to help anchor it to the wall and away from the door.
nickih85 thanked Annie Deighnaugh
shadylady2u
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I'm not seeing enough room for panels, unless you don't mind covering up much of your windows. Only the far left window has enough room.

Don't know how much space is on the other side of the door since I can't see it. If there's a lot of space, you could do a one way draw on a track or traverse system, so you can pull all the way open or closed.

If you're just looking for some fabric or color, then I think some sort of shades would be a better option than panels, or even valances, if you like them.
nickih85 thanked shadylady2u
diymom79
8 years ago
Personally I would use 6 panels and two long rods. Only one for each side and use a curtain hook by the door. Pick up a couple extra panels, if you can return them, to try it out just in case two are needed in the corner. Good luck.
nickih85 thanked diymom79
nickih85
Original Author
8 years ago
Wow! Thanks so much for the advice and great suggestions! I'm not married to the blinds. The home was recently built, and the builder installed blinds in all the windows. I just don't want to get rid of them until I have a definite plan of action.

I think the two main options I'm considering are roman shades on each window or a single panel bordering each window (with a hook to keep the panel from getting in the way of the door). However, I have a piece of furniture (kind of a console/storage table) up against the wall with two windows and a door (see pic). I really like that table where it is, but it wouldn't allow for curtains panels to be placed behind it since the table is against the wall. Maybe roman shades are my best option?

I'll give it some thought before making any big decisions or purchases.....

Thanks again for all the helpful input!
Annie Deighnaugh
8 years ago
You don't need to place the table directly up againt the wall but you can leave a few inches for a panel to hang free behind it if you want. Romans would be fine too.
nickih85 thanked Annie Deighnaugh

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