How To Dress Your Bedroom Windows For Maximum Effect
From simple blinds to billowing drapes, window treatments come in a huge range of designs. Browse these beauties for style inspiration
Lara Sargent
11 January 2015
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
Dressing windows is notoriously tricky, and bedroom windows come with their own challenges. There are the obvious issues of privacy and light to deal with (I love barely there voiles, but don’t relish the thought of waking up with the first glimmers of dawn every morning), and we might also have to contend with awkward attic roof windows, full-length picture windows and bays. Thankfully, there are so many options available these days, you can be confident there’s a drape, panel, shutter or blind to suit most shapes, sizes and styles of window. Take a look at these examples, then make sure the dressing you choose fulfils all the functions it needs to, and adds a huge burst of style to finish off your boudoir.
Love your shutters
Full-length, wooden shutters will instantly instil a romantic French ambience into any bedroom. Hunt out vintage ones at salvage yards or on eBay, or buy new and paint them yourself.
The white floorboards, neutral linens and stark white walls in this bedroom create a rustic blank canvas, allowing the shutters to shine in a contrasting colour. For a stylish contrast, though, stick to washed-out vintage hues, such as dove grey, sage green or a pretty eau-de-nil.
Browse more versatile ways with shutters
Full-length, wooden shutters will instantly instil a romantic French ambience into any bedroom. Hunt out vintage ones at salvage yards or on eBay, or buy new and paint them yourself.
The white floorboards, neutral linens and stark white walls in this bedroom create a rustic blank canvas, allowing the shutters to shine in a contrasting colour. For a stylish contrast, though, stick to washed-out vintage hues, such as dove grey, sage green or a pretty eau-de-nil.
Browse more versatile ways with shutters
Soften with fine fabric
There is something about billowing lengths of fine cotton or sheer linen that can’t be matched for bedroom windows. The look is gentle without being insipid.
Fairly sheer fabrics are best suited to spaces that don’t face east, as they won’t block strong morning rays. Choose washable fabrics that can be kept in tiptop condition at home without the expense of professional laundering.
Discover the other elements that can help you put together your perfect bedroom
There is something about billowing lengths of fine cotton or sheer linen that can’t be matched for bedroom windows. The look is gentle without being insipid.
Fairly sheer fabrics are best suited to spaces that don’t face east, as they won’t block strong morning rays. Choose washable fabrics that can be kept in tiptop condition at home without the expense of professional laundering.
Discover the other elements that can help you put together your perfect bedroom
Keep it neat with Roman blinds
Roman blinds offer neat panels of fabric that tuck up off the floor during the day. They can block light from the top of the windows when open, but this is unlikely to be a problem in a bedroom. If it is, try setting them higher on the wall.
These blinds in a pale, translucent fabric infuse the bedroom with soft light while shielding it from prying eyes, but Roman blinds also offer the chance to add colour and pattern to a neutral room. Full-length blinds for large windows will probably need to be tailor-made to suit your requirements.
Roman blinds offer neat panels of fabric that tuck up off the floor during the day. They can block light from the top of the windows when open, but this is unlikely to be a problem in a bedroom. If it is, try setting them higher on the wall.
These blinds in a pale, translucent fabric infuse the bedroom with soft light while shielding it from prying eyes, but Roman blinds also offer the chance to add colour and pattern to a neutral room. Full-length blinds for large windows will probably need to be tailor-made to suit your requirements.
Be precise with roller blinds
In attic bedrooms and loft conversions, Velux-style roof windows demand a special sort of window treatment. Neat, discreet roller blinds that are made to fit the exact size of each window are the best solution. They let the light flood in, unhindered, during the daytime, and simply pull down in a fuss-free, functional manner when it’s time for your beauty sleep.
In attic bedrooms and loft conversions, Velux-style roof windows demand a special sort of window treatment. Neat, discreet roller blinds that are made to fit the exact size of each window are the best solution. They let the light flood in, unhindered, during the daytime, and simply pull down in a fuss-free, functional manner when it’s time for your beauty sleep.
Accent with colour
Don’t forget that window treatments can be exploited for their decorative potential. The retro mix of the vibrant tangerine and pale biscuit on these curtains ties in effortlessly with the bright orange bed and graphic wallpaper, creating a very ‘finished’ look with masses of flair.
See ways to add a bolt of colour in a stylish way
Don’t forget that window treatments can be exploited for their decorative potential. The retro mix of the vibrant tangerine and pale biscuit on these curtains ties in effortlessly with the bright orange bed and graphic wallpaper, creating a very ‘finished’ look with masses of flair.
See ways to add a bolt of colour in a stylish way
Invest in flexible shutters
White slatted wooden shutters are a classic fixture for any style of bedroom, but for increased flexibility, choose double-tier, café-style shutters that open independently of each other, allowing you more control over light. They also allow you to open a window for ventilation while retaining privacy. It’s possible to buy ready-made shutters, but it’s far better to have them made to measure for a smart result that should last for years.
White slatted wooden shutters are a classic fixture for any style of bedroom, but for increased flexibility, choose double-tier, café-style shutters that open independently of each other, allowing you more control over light. They also allow you to open a window for ventilation while retaining privacy. It’s possible to buy ready-made shutters, but it’s far better to have them made to measure for a smart result that should last for years.
Maximise a picture window
It would be silly to compete with a view like this, so all these curtains need to do is fade gently into the background. If you have a cherished view, choose long, neutral drapes or sheers that won’t stifle the room and can be pulled back as far as possible. When night falls and the seasons become a little chillier, you still have something to draw across.
It would be silly to compete with a view like this, so all these curtains need to do is fade gently into the background. If you have a cherished view, choose long, neutral drapes or sheers that won’t stifle the room and can be pulled back as far as possible. When night falls and the seasons become a little chillier, you still have something to draw across.
Warm up with velvet
There’s no denying the cosy factor of floor-to-ceiling velvet curtains. The plush fabric not only offers a gorgeous sheen, it’s often thicker than cotton and linen, so better at keeping out the chills. The heavy drape and statement ruby colour of these curtains help to create a sophisticated bedroom that’s supremely cocooning.
There’s no denying the cosy factor of floor-to-ceiling velvet curtains. The plush fabric not only offers a gorgeous sheen, it’s often thicker than cotton and linen, so better at keeping out the chills. The heavy drape and statement ruby colour of these curtains help to create a sophisticated bedroom that’s supremely cocooning.
Layer with lace
Call me an old romantic, but I love everything about this makeshift curtain. While a panel of vintage lace tacked to the walls might not provide much in the way of warmth or privacy, the sheer fairy-tale charm of this idea is enough for me every time. Choose white or cream for a classic look, or try dying your lace in a pretty pastel or vibrant hue for a panel of colour.
Call me an old romantic, but I love everything about this makeshift curtain. While a panel of vintage lace tacked to the walls might not provide much in the way of warmth or privacy, the sheer fairy-tale charm of this idea is enough for me every time. Choose white or cream for a classic look, or try dying your lace in a pretty pastel or vibrant hue for a panel of colour.
Tie in with tradition
Sometimes, a pretty, traditional-style boudoir demands a classic window treatment. The carved-wood furniture, dark wood floor and twinkling chandelier are all key ingredients for a romantic look, and the room is perfectly finished off with the ditsy floral curtains and matching pelmet.
TELL US…
How have you dressed your bedroom windows? We’d love to see your photos in the Comments below.
Sometimes, a pretty, traditional-style boudoir demands a classic window treatment. The carved-wood furniture, dark wood floor and twinkling chandelier are all key ingredients for a romantic look, and the room is perfectly finished off with the ditsy floral curtains and matching pelmet.
TELL US…
How have you dressed your bedroom windows? We’d love to see your photos in the Comments below.
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They sound lovely I will get onto Hilary's blinds to have a look at what they have to offer.
Good luck with the fitting etc. you'll need to put the before & after pictures on houz for us all to see ( well me at least)
Kind regards
Lara
I just love the David Churchill photo.. snug as a bug in a rug.