What’s the Best Way to Dress My Windows?
Baffled by blinds? Confused about curtains? This beginner’s guide to window treatments will help you sort your shutters from your sheers
Deciding how to style your windows is a task that often gets shunted to the bottom of a decorating list, but that shouldn’t be the case. Curtains, blinds or shutters have a huge impact on a room, and the style of each fitting, its size, colour, material and pattern all need to be considered. So how do you get it right?
Window treatments have to tick a lot of boxes, from offering insulation and privacy, to contributing to the room’s atmosphere and aesthetic. There are often physical and architectural issues at play, too, from awkwardly shaped windows to unattractive views over the property next door. So, to shed some light on window treatments, three interior design experts share their advice on making the right choice for your home.
Professional advice from: Kia Sunda of Kia Designs; Jenna McLaughlin of Malcolm Duffin Design; Olga Alexeeva of Black & Milk Interior Design
Window treatments have to tick a lot of boxes, from offering insulation and privacy, to contributing to the room’s atmosphere and aesthetic. There are often physical and architectural issues at play, too, from awkwardly shaped windows to unattractive views over the property next door. So, to shed some light on window treatments, three interior design experts share their advice on making the right choice for your home.
Professional advice from: Kia Sunda of Kia Designs; Jenna McLaughlin of Malcolm Duffin Design; Olga Alexeeva of Black & Milk Interior Design
Create a mood board
Kia recommends putting together a mood board of window treatments you like early on in the design process. If your designer uses Houzz Pro, they can easily do this on your behalf using Houzz software. Or you could collect photos you like into a Houzz ideabook to refer back to.
“Often, unless window treatments are badly done, we don’t notice them at all,” says Kia, “so this helps you to focus in. You may then find that, in almost all the pictures you pick, there are shutters, for example. That helps you to realise – you really like shutters!”
Easily find and hire a local interior designer on Houzz.
Kia recommends putting together a mood board of window treatments you like early on in the design process. If your designer uses Houzz Pro, they can easily do this on your behalf using Houzz software. Or you could collect photos you like into a Houzz ideabook to refer back to.
“Often, unless window treatments are badly done, we don’t notice them at all,” says Kia, “so this helps you to focus in. You may then find that, in almost all the pictures you pick, there are shutters, for example. That helps you to realise – you really like shutters!”
Easily find and hire a local interior designer on Houzz.
Match to the room
The room’s function should influence what you hang at the windows. While long, pooling curtains may add glamour to a bedroom or living space, they are less practical in busy rooms, such as the bathroom and kitchen, where functionality is the priority.
“It’s possible to source fabrics that have been specially treated and are suitable for bathrooms and kitchens,” says Kia. “But some fabrics, such as silk, which rots, should never be used in these moisture-rich environments.”
The room’s function should influence what you hang at the windows. While long, pooling curtains may add glamour to a bedroom or living space, they are less practical in busy rooms, such as the bathroom and kitchen, where functionality is the priority.
“It’s possible to source fabrics that have been specially treated and are suitable for bathrooms and kitchens,” says Kia. “But some fabrics, such as silk, which rots, should never be used in these moisture-rich environments.”
Consider colour
Window treatments can be discreet and subtle or coloured and patterned. “The use of pattern on curtains can add so much to a room, similar to the effect created by a dramatic painting or graphic,” says interior designer Jenna McLaughlin.
“Don’t be afraid of using pattern and colour, but ensure a principal colour is repeated within the room, whether that be on walls or furniture, cushions or lamp shades,” she says.
Remember to think about how the curtains will look when closed as well as open. If the window is big, curtains in a bold colour or design will become a substantial feature when drawn, and a pattern that’s obscured when the curtains are open will be fully visible once they are closed. “Remember, too, that sunlight will fade fabric,” says Kia, “so fit a blackout lining to protect the fabric.”
Window treatments can be discreet and subtle or coloured and patterned. “The use of pattern on curtains can add so much to a room, similar to the effect created by a dramatic painting or graphic,” says interior designer Jenna McLaughlin.
“Don’t be afraid of using pattern and colour, but ensure a principal colour is repeated within the room, whether that be on walls or furniture, cushions or lamp shades,” she says.
Remember to think about how the curtains will look when closed as well as open. If the window is big, curtains in a bold colour or design will become a substantial feature when drawn, and a pattern that’s obscured when the curtains are open will be fully visible once they are closed. “Remember, too, that sunlight will fade fabric,” says Kia, “so fit a blackout lining to protect the fabric.”
Look at length
“Curtains should never be short and generally should brush the floor,” says Jenna. “But large swathes of fabric pooling at the bottom looks untidy and ill considered.”
Jenna recommends using an experienced curtain-maker to create your drapes. “My top tip is to have measurements for curtains taken after the rail or pole has been installed to
avoid expensive mistakes,” she says.
More: How to Choose and Hang Curtains in a Bay Window
“Curtains should never be short and generally should brush the floor,” says Jenna. “But large swathes of fabric pooling at the bottom looks untidy and ill considered.”
Jenna recommends using an experienced curtain-maker to create your drapes. “My top tip is to have measurements for curtains taken after the rail or pole has been installed to
avoid expensive mistakes,” she says.
More: How to Choose and Hang Curtains in a Bay Window
Use a combination
Teaming sheers or shutters and fabric curtains is a great idea, providing privacy and the opportunity to darken the room.
Fitting a rail that is considerably wider than the window allows you to draw the curtains to the very borders of the window frame, so that maximum light comes in.
“Remember, though, that if you fit the curtains to run beyond the edge of the window, they will eat into floor space,” says Kia. “Furniture such as sofas and armchairs cannot be positioned right next to the wall, but must sit at least 30cm out from it to allow the curtains to drape.”
Teaming sheers or shutters and fabric curtains is a great idea, providing privacy and the opportunity to darken the room.
Fitting a rail that is considerably wider than the window allows you to draw the curtains to the very borders of the window frame, so that maximum light comes in.
“Remember, though, that if you fit the curtains to run beyond the edge of the window, they will eat into floor space,” says Kia. “Furniture such as sofas and armchairs cannot be positioned right next to the wall, but must sit at least 30cm out from it to allow the curtains to drape.”
Understand blinds
There are three main blind designs: Venetian, Roman and roller. Venetian blinds are typically wood or metal and are an inexpensive way to create a shutter effect.
Roman blinds are made of fabric. This can be lined or unlined, but is rarely sheer, as the rods that make up the blind structure would be visible. “When pulled up, Roman blinds tend to have a panel at the top of the window, where the fabric is folded,” says Kia. “This can obscure light, but it’s often possible to fit the blind high enough above the window recess to prevent this happening.” Roman blinds are good at sound dampening and add texture and colour.
Roller blinds are more minimalist, rolling up to become a very discreet addition to a window. They are typically made of thicker, firmer fabric, and can fit into the window recess for a neat finish.
There are three main blind designs: Venetian, Roman and roller. Venetian blinds are typically wood or metal and are an inexpensive way to create a shutter effect.
Roman blinds are made of fabric. This can be lined or unlined, but is rarely sheer, as the rods that make up the blind structure would be visible. “When pulled up, Roman blinds tend to have a panel at the top of the window, where the fabric is folded,” says Kia. “This can obscure light, but it’s often possible to fit the blind high enough above the window recess to prevent this happening.” Roman blinds are good at sound dampening and add texture and colour.
Roller blinds are more minimalist, rolling up to become a very discreet addition to a window. They are typically made of thicker, firmer fabric, and can fit into the window recess for a neat finish.
Seek out shutters
Shutters are neat and, because they’re typically made of wood rather than fabric, are ideal for anyone with a dust allergy. They are easy to clean and, when fitted correctly, can look like part of the house’s fabric, rather than something added subsequently. “They are wonderful if you like a more architectural look,” says Kia.
Shutters are neat and, because they’re typically made of wood rather than fabric, are ideal for anyone with a dust allergy. They are easy to clean and, when fitted correctly, can look like part of the house’s fabric, rather than something added subsequently. “They are wonderful if you like a more architectural look,” says Kia.
Go minimal
Rather than viewing window treatments as both practical and decorative, you can elect to focus on their purpose alone, as a means of creating privacy and blocking strong light.
“I use minimalist solutions, chosen simply for their function,” says interior designer Olga Alexeeva. “That might mean a simple roller blind hidden in the niche above the window, or transparent sheers. I like it when the outside gets into the interior, expanding the space and bringing in natural light and colours.”
Rather than viewing window treatments as both practical and decorative, you can elect to focus on their purpose alone, as a means of creating privacy and blocking strong light.
“I use minimalist solutions, chosen simply for their function,” says interior designer Olga Alexeeva. “That might mean a simple roller blind hidden in the niche above the window, or transparent sheers. I like it when the outside gets into the interior, expanding the space and bringing in natural light and colours.”
Choose nothing
“You can really spoil an interior with a bad choice of window dressing,” warns Olga. “I often prefer the look of a space with no curtains or blinds at all.”
She suggests that in public rooms, such as the kitchen or living space, it’s worth considering leaving the window unadorned. “Window treatments can distract from the architecture of the space,” she says. “Leaving the window unadorned is a nicely minimalist touch and prevents the space looking too ‘cute’ or over-designed.”
“You can really spoil an interior with a bad choice of window dressing,” warns Olga. “I often prefer the look of a space with no curtains or blinds at all.”
She suggests that in public rooms, such as the kitchen or living space, it’s worth considering leaving the window unadorned. “Window treatments can distract from the architecture of the space,” she says. “Leaving the window unadorned is a nicely minimalist touch and prevents the space looking too ‘cute’ or over-designed.”
Address an awkward shape
Not all windows follow the classic sash shape, but it’s always possible to find a way to dress them. “There are solutions out there for even the oddest shaped windows, such as triangular designs,” says Kia. “Speak to professionals and ask for help.”
Tell us…
How have you dressed your windows? Share your tips and photos in the Comments.
Not all windows follow the classic sash shape, but it’s always possible to find a way to dress them. “There are solutions out there for even the oddest shaped windows, such as triangular designs,” says Kia. “Speak to professionals and ask for help.”
Tell us…
How have you dressed your windows? Share your tips and photos in the Comments.
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When faced with an empty room or new extension, it’s important to plan the window treatments early. “It can be very hard to retrofit a space with window treatments,” says interior designer Kia Sunda. “All too often we get caught up with choosing maximum glass for our brand-new extension, say, but forget to plan where a window treatment to block some of that light will go.”
Begin by thinking about how you will use the space, and remember that we use rooms in different ways at different times of the day. An extremely bright room may be lovely for relaxing in, but if you want to work on a computer in there, too, the glaring sunlight could become a problem.
“A space with a lot of glass can get very hot in summer, too,” says Kia. “How are you going to block light and keep the space cool? What if you want to watch TV in there on a summer afternoon?”