place your rod higher, get wider drapes, and move them further outward (to the left and right sides) to give the illusion of a bigger window.

I'd raise the rod another 8-12" above the trim molding. you'll need longer drapes, and more panels. or wider panels.

see this one? the panels should just kiss the floor. Your's are too short, rod too low, and your panels are too narrow.

why do you have a middle panel?

as for the color of those, I'd find something less 'purple-gray' and one more silver. something w/a pattern would be nice since everything in the room is solid

Thanks! This is how the home was staged, none of the items are mine. My guess is that the center of the window isn't aesthetically pleasing so they covered it with a center panel.

well the stager dropped the ball on the drapes! the bed looks ok.

if she would have raised the rod and extended the drapes outward, it would have looked more proportional. I'd have used some white gauzy drapes

you see how the dotted lines represent the actual opening? you extend it past the opening another foot or so

same with windows

are those sliding doors? because I don't think they need curtains at all. get some sliding panels that you can use for privacy, but otherwise keep them all the way to one side. curtains are just bringing the eye to the outline of the glass rather than the view through it.

TIP: measure for 94” long panels, adding for rod and rings. Hang so drapery just touches but doesn’t puddle on floor. Measure each panel so you can hang in best position since there is generally slight differences in each panel. Get rod long enough to go 12” beyond side edge of slider so drapery can be opened and stacked past edge of slider. I assume you have bought this house? Www.halfpricedrapes.com has sale on back tab drapery right now.

Opps

another idea for you. Take out the slider and sell it, and get yourself some 6' French Doors.

Wood interior if you like.

The french doors always look better than a slider.

this one is really pretty

or do a 5' french door w/side lites:

or, do a french door and put in a smaller double hung window (s) right next to it:

or maybe something like this w/the transom windows and side lites. you have plenty of room both height and width.

@Beth expanding the windows sounds glorious!!! But likely not in my budget because I’ve got some other big projects to tackle next - a kitchen renovation! I love your suggestions tho, you understand my style. :) if you want to take a look at the current kitchen and send ideas, please let me know!

Easy-peasy!

you're renovating this kitchen?? lol. what's wrong with it?

I mean, that's a huge dining space you have. I'd rather have a larger kitchen. I would have run the cabs down that wall and put in a big island.

I'd want to stick in a window somewhere on that long wall though.

I'd Put a dining spot over on the other wall, unless there was room at the end of the cabinet run. then make do a little built in or something.

any way to install a window? someothing along these lines

(I assume you have another family area for tv and such??)

Looks like this space was recently done.

What's the budget to do what I've mentioned? You'd prob want different cabs than what's there?

you could sell your little U shape kitchen online to get back some money.

As for what I would do, you're looking at 30K or more. (for some of my pics I posted, double it)

If you wanted to upgrade just using the space you have, you could prob do something like these next few layouts.

. But I'd want to install a window. (Is this a townhome w/a shared wall?)

bringing in a new door is less than 4. (even less if you have a friend that can install it for you. the door itself is less than 1K)

The kitchen was last renovated in 2001... the appliances are new and we’d likely keep the fridge, but would love to have a standalone island and put in a cooktop and built in oven. The house also has a large finished basement and front sitting room, however we think we might end up using the space next to the kitchen as a more of a family room. There’s a lot of options!

Here are some more pics of the rest of the house. I think my desire to renovate was more due to the fact that we saw a lot of houses that were more expensive than this one and so now I’m being a busy body. Budget for a kitchen renovation is about $30k.

No, not a townhouse, but a typical north side of Chicago house. Standard lots are 40’x125’ so most houses are pretty long. Total sq. ft is about 3500.

well, it just depends what you want. if those are real oak floors, you can always have them patched in, but that means the rest of the floor will need refinishing.

For sure I'd put in some windows along that wall, and try and have the sink under it.

Cabinets. you can do inexpensive or high end. I wouldn't nix the idea of a carpenter custom building some for your space. RTA cabinets are actually decent. hire someone to install.

If you're on a budget, I prob wouldn't use HD or Lowes. you're paying them to be the middleman contractor, and they sub out their work. Sometimes their countertops are a decent price though.

talk to a kitchen designer or an actual kitchen refinishing company. I found a great one on Yelp (all 5 stars) and they were amazing. I had mine painted, but they also did custom carpentry, refacing, vent hoods, and everything in between. If you could find a company like that, I'd go that route. walk around a stone yard to see what's avail for countertops/islands.

Some people like ikea.

It just depends the look you want. the rest of the house is very nice. looks like you have plenty of room. don't know why they did such a tiny kitchen with all of that room!

however, for 30K, you're going to have to DIY, learn to DIY, or learn how to shop for bargains.

I'd still list your current kitchen for sale. someone would want it. they can come in and take it apart and charge 1K for everything. (to demo all of that, you're looking at over 1K anyway! )

hiring a KD for a custom layout design wouldn't be a bad idea

It looks pretty move in ready. Maybe best to live in it for a while and see how you live in the space. Meaning, would that space next to kitchen (by door/window) be better used as a family room or a dinette or could you really expand your entire kitchen into that area (and/or do you really need to?). I'm guessing you'll want some TV area on this main floor (if you have young kids anyway). Could you flip flop the dining area and front living area. Cozy dining by the fireplace and TV mounted on the wall between windows (in current dining area) or in the corner where there's a plant in the staged photo.

I think I'd move in and invest in new light fixtures and window treatment (really no views except the very close neighboring house on all those beautiful windows); then save for a potential bigger renovation once you know what your family needs. Congrats on the new house!

Looks like great place in desirable location. To reconfigure your kitchen will most likely involve new flooring and it runs throughout this floor. So think about that. I assume the kitchen is where it is due to plumbing and etc. ? How many adults and children do we need to consider in this home?

Mount the rod where the ceiling starts to slope up.

Double or triple up the panels on either side of the door. Find a larger piece of art.

@Flo interesting consideration. 2 adults, 2 small children. It’s not a totally open floor plan, so we could add a threshold somewhere. Or either try to match the existing floor.