When is a window too narrow for curtains?

2 years ago

Our living room window is quite narrow. We’d like to dress it with curtains but when is a window too narrow for a pair of curtains?

It’s 109cm

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Comments (15)

Daisy England
2 years ago
Two options: Either just have one curtain and stack to one side or have the curtain track/pole overhanging each side more than usual so you can stack both sides but leaving the window free for the light.
Jonathan
2 years ago
It doesn’t matter how big your window is- fake it!

I would get a pole and curtains that are two and a half times the width of the window and have the wall covered with curtain and the window uncovered by any curtain.
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When hanging curtains for clients I always have the hems just hovering above the floor so would consider your curtains too short. From the photo it looks like you cannot lower the pole position, so letting down the hems is your best solution. Leaving the curtains in situ, carefully unpick the hem and iron out crease lines (ironing board can be positioned at the window), you can then turn a new minimum hem using iron-on hem tape. Ideally your curtains should be no more than an inch off the floor to give them the made-to-measure look.
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I saw the Kmart and assumed the US, I didn't realise they were in Australia too (also wondered why you were up in the middle of the night but had seen the baby's bottle!). You've posted on the UK houzz so shopping is still tricky :( Dip dye is a great way to transform chairs but I don't think it will work with yours, painting them all over might though, in a shade of green or dark blue. Alternatively (blowing the budget on a light and chairs) you could look at replica eames. You may also be able to find green or blue ones as I've just had a quick look but the legs on these seem to tone with the floor and table. You could get another 2 when budget allows, perhaps with arms for the head of the table http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Set-of-4-Replica-Eames-Eiffel-DSW-Dining-Chair-White-/161431542551?hash=item259611db17:g:jMEAAOSwyjBW5lre i would also have painted the kitchen walls which would make the cabinets stand out a little more. Re the curtains they just seem to overpower the room. Perhaps a form of blinds fitted inside the recess would be better but unlikely to retain as much warmth
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Laura Desborough
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you so much Daisy and Jonathan. Very helpful advice. Any help on where to shop is welcome. The height needed is roughly 240cm so not a standard size. A custom made quote was £750
Jonathan
2 years ago
There’s lots of places to buy up to 2.7m long.

https://www.curtainscurtainscurtains.co.uk/ready-made-curtains-scid2.html

It might be more cost effective to buy oversized curtains and have them shortened
Daisy England
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
That seems expensive. Is it something you can make yourself? They’re easy to make.

If not as Jonathan says buy oversized and shorten. To take the hems up is easy and if you don’t want to sew them back up use Velcro.
Wumi
2 years ago
Agree with others. Buy oversized and hem. You can get some iron on fusible webbing tape which is even easier.
Sonia
2 years ago
I would choose a blind, either Roman or slatted painted wood. The window does look quite small for curtains.
Sarah U-S
2 years ago
I have tall Victorian windows and have fairly recently bought new curtains for the living room. Bespoke options were extortionate so I bought off the shelf (actually off the Internet!) John Lewis and Dunelm have a small selection in an extra long version, as well as La Redoute and Anthropologie. I then paid a local seamstress to shorten to the perfect length - she charged £40 for two pairs, one of which were extra wide too.
Lena
2 years ago
I think your window would benefit from a set of curtains.
La Redute or Ikea are good places to shop.
Sarah U-S
2 years ago
I forgot IKEA! Be careful there - IKEA curtains always used to be 3m long, but seem to be shorter these days for the British market. Sadly for me, they are now too short for my windows - but they might be fine for yours!
siobhanmcgee90
2 years ago
Agree wholeheartedly. Oversized curtains and buy off the shelf and take up if too long but have them brush the ground for a luxurious finish. Think Roman blind good in some contexts but will emphasise the window size here so avoid. Not sure I agree re IKEA curtain quality but you can judge that for yourself.
minnie101
2 years ago
I like Jonathan’s idea but you’d need to ensure the pole projects past the radiator so use either a deep bracket or ceiling fix pole (assuming full length curtains)?

If you close the curtains during the evening, i would also consider whether you’d want to block the radiator heat. if not, you could consider pairing with a blind and just use that for privacy
Laura Desborough
Original Author
2 years ago
All very helpful. Thank you. I have had an IKEA pair in my online basket for weeks but wasn’t sure of the quality. I will go for oversized and shorten. I’d forgotten about anthropologie. Thanks again!
Sarah U-S
2 years ago
Anthropologie are gorgeous - but remember that they tend to sell as single panels (which might actually work better for you!). They have some velvet panels with a coloured border that are particularly lovely….
PRO
Renovating home
2 years ago
I'd do a venetian blind, and maybe just 1 drape like a voile, as there's a radiator I would not like to block heat with anything heavy.

When is a window too narrow for curtains?

Comments (15)

Daisy England

Jonathan

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When is a window too narrow for curtains?

Comments (15)

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