9 Simple Solutions to Create Beautifully Dressed Windows
Be inspired by these ideas and dress your windows to create privacy, elegance and light
Many of us go through the whole building and designing process with ease, then stumble when it comes to picking window treatments. There are so many options to choose from that it’s hard to know what’s right for your particular room. Check out these simple tips to discover some of the best ideas.
Create a streamlined look with rollers
For a minimal look, a plain-finish roller blind in white is a good choice. If you’re worried that it might be too simple, there are many ways to add a bit of luxury. For manual blinds, try adding chrome brackets and chains. Brass side-winder chains are also an option. You could also go for an aluminium bottom bar, or a no-sew finish at the hem.
For convenience, upgrade to a motorised option, which can be as inexpensive as a simple battery-operated device. The high-end version is an almost silent, hard-wired blind that can be operated from your mobile phone.
For a minimal look, a plain-finish roller blind in white is a good choice. If you’re worried that it might be too simple, there are many ways to add a bit of luxury. For manual blinds, try adding chrome brackets and chains. Brass side-winder chains are also an option. You could also go for an aluminium bottom bar, or a no-sew finish at the hem.
For convenience, upgrade to a motorised option, which can be as inexpensive as a simple battery-operated device. The high-end version is an almost silent, hard-wired blind that can be operated from your mobile phone.
Declutter with Roman blinds
Roman blinds, with or without borders, are an elegant option. They are very useful for a space that might feel cluttered or overpowered by curtains.
Laser-sharp pleats and a good Roman blind rail kit are essential components for success. Also, choose the best workshop you can find to ensure a quality finish.
You could add a chrome or brass chain to wind it up and down, or go for the motorised option again.
Discover more ways to use Roman blinds to great effect
Roman blinds, with or without borders, are an elegant option. They are very useful for a space that might feel cluttered or overpowered by curtains.
Laser-sharp pleats and a good Roman blind rail kit are essential components for success. Also, choose the best workshop you can find to ensure a quality finish.
You could add a chrome or brass chain to wind it up and down, or go for the motorised option again.
Discover more ways to use Roman blinds to great effect
Frame a triangular window
Lots of homes have large, panoramic windows to maximise views. Triangular windows can pose many problems, but there are ways to overcome them. If you want a luxurious look, it’s often best to dress the windows with curtains. A fixed-top curtain that doesn’t pull back along the rail works well; here, the curtain has been tied back.
Divide a large space into sections to have manageable curtains that put less pressure on the rails. To prevent the hem from appearing uneven, make the length slightly longer so they pool at the bottom. You could cover the top of the curtain with a sleek pelmet, but it isn’t essential.
Lots of homes have large, panoramic windows to maximise views. Triangular windows can pose many problems, but there are ways to overcome them. If you want a luxurious look, it’s often best to dress the windows with curtains. A fixed-top curtain that doesn’t pull back along the rail works well; here, the curtain has been tied back.
Divide a large space into sections to have manageable curtains that put less pressure on the rails. To prevent the hem from appearing uneven, make the length slightly longer so they pool at the bottom. You could cover the top of the curtain with a sleek pelmet, but it isn’t essential.
Take them to the top
Wall-to-wall curtains on discreet, top-fix hotel rails are a good way to dress ceiling-to-floor windows. If you want a layered look, you can find double and triple rails. Try hanging voile on the back runner and the outer curtains on the front runners.
A simple wave finish is often best for success on these rails.
Wall-to-wall curtains on discreet, top-fix hotel rails are a good way to dress ceiling-to-floor windows. If you want a layered look, you can find double and triple rails. Try hanging voile on the back runner and the outer curtains on the front runners.
A simple wave finish is often best for success on these rails.
Embrace half measures
The best-dressed windows will often benefit from being the least dressed. You can sometimes focus on just one part of the window. Here, bottom-up blinds that roll up from the windowsill provide privacy while letting plenty of light flood in above. Conventional roller blinds at the top of the window offer complete privacy when it’s needed.
Another option is a café-style shutter, which again covers the bottom of the window and can even be opened completely when you want more light.
The best-dressed windows will often benefit from being the least dressed. You can sometimes focus on just one part of the window. Here, bottom-up blinds that roll up from the windowsill provide privacy while letting plenty of light flood in above. Conventional roller blinds at the top of the window offer complete privacy when it’s needed.
Another option is a café-style shutter, which again covers the bottom of the window and can even be opened completely when you want more light.
Offer a warm welcome
Curtains at the front door will create a warm and cosy hallway, which will be the first and last thing you see in your home. To make sure they do the job of stopping draughts, have them interlined. Also, choose a thick material and warm texture to add to the snug feel.
Curtains at the front door will create a warm and cosy hallway, which will be the first and last thing you see in your home. To make sure they do the job of stopping draughts, have them interlined. Also, choose a thick material and warm texture to add to the snug feel.
Plan a perfect bay
Attention to detail is so important when dressing a bay window. One option is a discreet, top-fix bay rail, which can be made to measure. If you prefer a pole, remember to measure first to see if there’s enough space before you get it custom-made to fit.
Make sure there’s enough wall space above the window to fit the brackets, and have the bay measured professionally.
For a pre-made version, you can buy poles with 90 and 45 degree attachments that move the pole around a corner.
Make sure the side returns of the curtains are big enough for the curtain to move back onto the side walls and prevent a gap. A simple closed hook attached to the wall is all that’s needed to receive a curtain pin and hide the side of the rail.
Attention to detail is so important when dressing a bay window. One option is a discreet, top-fix bay rail, which can be made to measure. If you prefer a pole, remember to measure first to see if there’s enough space before you get it custom-made to fit.
Make sure there’s enough wall space above the window to fit the brackets, and have the bay measured professionally.
For a pre-made version, you can buy poles with 90 and 45 degree attachments that move the pole around a corner.
Make sure the side returns of the curtains are big enough for the curtain to move back onto the side walls and prevent a gap. A simple closed hook attached to the wall is all that’s needed to receive a curtain pin and hide the side of the rail.
Jazz up bathroom windows
Shutters are my all-time favourite for bathrooms. They hide the obscure or patterned glass that most of us have in our homes.
For something a little different, try black or grey, or have them painted in any colour you like.
Here, the dark shutter ties in with the floor, and provides a dramatic monochrome look against the white walls and bathroom suite.
Have you chosen any of these window treatments for your home? Share your photos and ideas in the Comments below.
Shutters are my all-time favourite for bathrooms. They hide the obscure or patterned glass that most of us have in our homes.
For something a little different, try black or grey, or have them painted in any colour you like.
Here, the dark shutter ties in with the floor, and provides a dramatic monochrome look against the white walls and bathroom suite.
Have you chosen any of these window treatments for your home? Share your photos and ideas in the Comments below.
Tricky bay windows are often best dressed with shutters. They give the room a sophisticated look and provide a backdrop for you to be creative with colour in the rest of the space.
To get a professional fit and finish, it’s essential to accurately measure the windows. Also, consider which louvre size is appropriate for the scale. The finishing touches will also make a difference to the look, so think about the hinge colour and whether you want a simple frame or more elaborate mouldings.
Tempted by shutters? Read this expert guide