13 Clever Ways to Dress Up Wide Windows
Make the most of your wall of glass with window treatments that balance privacy and light
Shoshana Gosselin
25 February 2018
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Do you have one really long window, or a group of windows side by side, such as sliding or French doors? Wide windows can keep a room bright and showcase a gorgeous view, but they can also make you feel overwhelmed when you think about dressing them. Here are important considerations to note before purchasing window treatments:
What is your goal? Do you need the treatments to be functional, decorative, or both?
What is your budget? There are window treatment options that can showcase your windows, that could flow well with the look of your room, and that will not break the budget. Treating windows grouped together or individually can add or take away to the total cost.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
What is your goal? Do you need the treatments to be functional, decorative, or both?
What is your budget? There are window treatment options that can showcase your windows, that could flow well with the look of your room, and that will not break the budget. Treating windows grouped together or individually can add or take away to the total cost.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Treat multiple windows as one by pairing drapes on only the outer edges. If you need privacy or to block the light but do not want to spend the money on the amount of fabric it would take to fully open and close, create stationary drapes just one to two widths each. Layer a shade behind the drapes. If the windows are high, consider a motorised shade, which usually come with a remote control or wall switch. Some remotes can operate up to five separate windows.
For a soft effect, hang sheers from a rod from wall to wall. Sheers do not use lining so they are less expensive to make, or buy readymade, and they do not look bulky when hung across a long window. I like the use of the grommets for long windows if not using a traverse rod because they keep a nice tall shape near the rod.
Check out this guide for choosing curtains
Check out this guide for choosing curtains
If you have a wall of windows that almost stretch end to end, add lightweight panels between them to create an illusion that there is no break between each window. This is a great look when using non-functional (stationary) drapes because functional drapes could require more widths of fabric, which gets costly, and you end up with a bulkier look that will allow in less light. If you need privacy for this look, use a shade mounted behind the drapes. Hang the rod longer than than where the windows end to create the look of wall-to-wall windows.
To keep a beautiful outside view complete, consider drapes pulled back to one side. You will want to use a traverse rod vs a traditional rod because the traverse rod does not have the brackets that stop long windows from fully opening and closing.
Traverse rods come in decorative and plain versions. Open and close your treatments with the pull of a cord or twist of a wand. The cord or wand runs through a pulley system in the rod, which slides the drapery hanger hooks along a track. They stack back nicely.
Traverse rods come in decorative and plain versions. Open and close your treatments with the pull of a cord or twist of a wand. The cord or wand runs through a pulley system in the rod, which slides the drapery hanger hooks along a track. They stack back nicely.
If you want the look of drapes that are non-functional, but do not want to have the rod go all the way across your wide windows, consider getting two smaller rods long enough for a single panel each. If you’re using wood rods, you can cut them to the size you need.
Here’s how you can wow with windows
Here’s how you can wow with windows
For windows grouped together along a long wall with a uniquely shaped window in the centre, you can add a wood or metal pole with a drape over just each side window. Leave the uniquely shaped window alone because it is so interesting by itself.
To allow light in and still be able to showcase a great view, try a valance. When you measure for the height it will be, add more inches if you can to mount it closer to the ceiling so the windows look taller. Valances should cover any blinds or shades you may want to add underneath. You do not need to spend a lot on the blind or shade underneath your valance, because it won’t show when not in use.
A cornice is another option. Yes, unless you know how to create a cornice, they are custom creations, but cornice boards do not require a lot of fabric or sewing, so they are not as costly. You can add pretty trim and design the shape. Measured and installed correctly, they will hide any functioning blinds or shades.
A window scarf draped across a long window will create an elegant yet lightweight look. Unlike a valance, it will let more sunlight through.
A wide group of windows can look so much cleaner and elegant when addressed as one big window. For example, a roman shade across a few windows adds scale and height if mounted a bit higher than the window, creating a lovely look.
Bored of curtains? Try these alternatives
Bored of curtains? Try these alternatives
If you need multiple roman shades to fill a wide wall of windows, make sure you choose a pattern that allows you to stack each shade next to each other so it feels like one long shade. When there are no breaks in between each shade, your window looks streamlined.
Tip: Don’t forget to hang them higher than the windows if your windows are low. When measuring the height you need for the shades, be sure to include the extra material to cover the gap between ceiling and top of the window.
Tip: Don’t forget to hang them higher than the windows if your windows are low. When measuring the height you need for the shades, be sure to include the extra material to cover the gap between ceiling and top of the window.
These balloon-shade valances connected to stretch across the bank of smaller windows creates a grander look. Again, you can hide privacy blinds behind each window.
For wide, uniquely designed windows that do not require privacy, opt for simply painting the trim for architectural interest.
Read more:
6 Window Treatments That Will Change Your Perspective
Tell us:
Do you have large windows at home? How do you cover them? Share images and your ideas in the Comments below.
Read more:
6 Window Treatments That Will Change Your Perspective
Tell us:
Do you have large windows at home? How do you cover them? Share images and your ideas in the Comments below.
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