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Home Decorating Windows Design Dilemma

Window Treatments For Open Floor Plan with Shallow Depth Windows

4 years ago

Hello Houzz community! I recently moved into a home with an open floor concept (attached picture of living room). We just painted and our next order of business is window treatments. I thought this would be so easy as I love white faux wood blinds- but I measured the windows and our depth is barely a half inch. I think we will have to do an outside mount for sure. I read that cellular shades can be an option but I’m not the biggest fan of how they look.

What do you think would be the best option for an open floor plan windows outside mount? We’d like to keep the place looking pretty modern and sleek. I’m considering outside mount Roman shades. Any other recommendations I’d great appreciate.

Featured Answer

PRO

Grunberger Interiors

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

For a clean, modern look I would suggest looking into solar shades. They come in different weave thicknesses - from the very transparent to tighter weaves offering more privacy. They come in a variety of neutral colors (lots of whites) and textures.

Typically, when I style a room, I do not begin with the window treatments. I design the window coverings around the room's style and floor plan. The window next to your fireplace has very little space on the left, so be careful when you do an outside mount. Also, I would mount the solar shades, or fabric roman shades (another good option) right up to the ceiling.

For the sliders, do draperies - make sure to mount the drapery hardware at the same height as the top of the shades to balance everything out. Without the window treatments, my eye goes straight to the differences in height between the doors and side windows. Beautifully designed window treatments will correct that flaw and make the room look taller. Best of luck!

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Comments (10)

jck910
4 years ago
Window treatments are the last choice after rugs and furniture.
0
Angel 18432
4 years ago
Let's see pics of the room with your furniture in it.
0
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First off you have beautiful home and congratulation on your new home. I'd suggest going to the floor if you're going to go with curtains on these window and if you're okay with going above the picture rail i'd suggest that. Going above the rail will just add height to your room. 1/4'' is going to be too narrow to do an inside mount. If you like the idea of having some of your trim show you can always mount on your trim, but just don't cover it all. Honeycomb and roller shades would be good pairing options with curtains. A roller shade will project out farther than a honeycomb shade.... just something to consider. If you're open to suggestions on an alternative option consider an Illusion shade. They have a modern look and give you versatility with light and privacy. The illusion shades are beautiful on their own or look nice with panels as well.
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I hadn’t thought to try to invoke a warranty but will look into it. I wonder whether any warranty even transfers to us, as we did not buy the shades. We could get away with having nothing there but you can really feel the cold come through in the winter when you open the shades so may as well have some insulation for overnight. I think I also prefer the coziness of closing in for the evening. That said, could that be the only curtain in the house or do I have to do a cellular shade for consistency with all of the windows? The curtain would be an easier fix but I’m very concerned about doing something that is considered ”wrong” for resale.
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Anna Zdulska
Original Author
4 years ago
I know the ideal situation would be to have furniture first but we already moved in to the home and would prefer not to wait to buy furniture to get window treatments. We need the privacy- we currently have our old furniture there that we’re taking our time to replace this year. Also for window treatments we want to be very neutral like white/linen.
0
Anna Zdulska
Original Author
4 years ago
Wow thank you everyone! Gruberger Interiors- I love that idea of the solar shades from ceiling and draperies for sliders. After taking this input into consideration we have some IDEAS what we might want (solar shades/maybe even look into smart home shades?) but we’re going to buy paper shades for the home for now, get our furniture, THEN revisit our window treatments.
PRO
Grunberger Interiors
4 years ago
Good choice 👍
Angel 18432
4 years ago
Great plan.
Kate
4 years ago
You could just get the paper disposable pleated shades, until you decide on the furniture. They are about $5.00 at Home Depot.
Anna Zdulska
Original Author
4 years ago
Hi all - so we have picked a color scheme (first picture) ordered a couch (second picture). Rug is picked too (first picture). We’re looking at window treatments again and I think we’re kind of set on roller or solar shades because of our contemporary style. My question is regarding the percentage for solar shades for opacity. Does 5% allow in more light than 3% or 1%? We don’t care about the view out because it’s just our neighbor’s house
0
PRO
Grunberger Interiors
4 years ago
Hi, 1% is the tightest weave with the most privacy and which blocks the most light. It goes up to 10% which is the most open weave. This let’s in the most light and is the most transparent. Hold up each swatch to your window during the day to get a good idea of how much of your outside view is visible. I hope this helps. Best of luck!

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