Final month, I did a cheat sheet window coverings put up, and there have been so many feedback requesting for me to go deeper and extra particular, so we determined to open it as much as the lots as a Repair It Friday subject. And also you all delivered! We bought some actually nice submissions, some that have been tremendous difficult, and many who appeared to be widespread ache factors. I attempted to tug out what felt essentially the most common (or the perfect of the bunch of a sure sort of drawback I stored seeing within the electronic mail submissions), and provide up how I’d go about it.
There are some things I want to convey about curtains, first, although: the choices can really feel countless as a result of they’re. On the planet of customized draperies, particular person options are cooked up for each window/room that most closely fits the design + window sort + window want. There are wonderful firms devoted to complete residence material plans (like our pals at Decorview!). However as a result of I wished this put up to be a bit extra approachable, nearly all of the window coverings I advised are ready-made (or customizable when it comes to dimensions wanted).
Additionally, needless to say there are numerous methods to slice this cake, that means, I could provide up an thought and I might have executed it three different methods (and anybody studying may additionally have one other method to sort out the window). A lot of that is desire, although there are methods that work higher than others relying on what you’re after. To not point out the course that your window faces. This could significantly impression the quantity of sunshine you get in a room, so let’s go over that shortly to determine the final guidelines:
- East-facing home windows: Vibrant, direct daylight within the mornings
- West-facing home windows: Vibrant, direct daylight within the afternoons/evenings
- North-facing home windows: Virtually no direct daylight, decrease mild circumstances (however retains rooms cooler in the summertime)
- South-facing home windows: Daylight all day (and could be highly regarded in the summertime)
Now that we have now that established, I’m going to reshare a graphic from my unique curtains put up (see that right here) as I feel it could be useful to everybody studying:
As is widespread with these Repair It Friday posts, we obtained dozens and dozens of submissions and belief me after I let you know I want I might have shared all of them. But when there’s curiosity, I might see myself doing a minimum of two extra posts on the topic, masking extra particular conditions like home windows in a nook and transoms, in addition to an entire put up on home windows with obstructions (A/C models, pipes, tough ceiling slants, and many others.).
Earlier than diving into reader houses, let’s discover some EHD rooms with strong window coverings to whet our palates.
Caitlin’s lounge is a superb instance of two issues: layered material since she used each panels and shades, in addition to treating two side-by-side home windows as one. Usually, when home windows exist inside the identical paneling encompass and casing, it’s greatest to simply go forward and deal with them as one, which might appear like one lengthy material rod with curtain panels, or one giant pull-down shade or Roman. If home windows exist housed in their very own particular person casing, you may nonetheless deal with them as a single unit (hold studying for an instance of this from a reader!), or put up a number of window coverings relying on how far-off they’re from one another, and the way busy of a glance the room can deal with.
I wished to point out you one other instance of side-by-side home windows, besides this time, they’re completely different shapes and sizes. I’ve seen one of these factor in pals’ houses and it paralyzes them. They assume they should cowl each home windows individually, after which don’t know easy methods to accomplish that. However actually, if they’re shut sufficient to one another (say, lower than 12 inches or so), simply deal with them as one with both a shade hung on the peak acceptable for the very best window in the event that they aren’t degree on the high, or with material panels (although a shade is my desire).
Talking of a number of home windows, I feel it’s pretty widespread to assume that each one the home windows in a given room have to have the identical remedy, however they don’t have to. A very good rule of thumb is that if the form and measurement of the window modifications, you may change up the window masking. Take the lounge above, for instance. The massive span of home windows behind the sofa would have been too giant for shades, so draperies have been the most suitable choice there. However as a result of there are additionally panels on the perpendicular wall (you may see a sliver of them to the left of the picture), having them on the TV wall would have been extremely overwhelming. SO MUCH FABRIC. The smaller, narrower home windows flanking the media middle labored greatest with Roman shades. (You’ll be able to choose the identical colour as your drapes or do one thing completely different with a sample, too!).
Simply one other fast instance of a mixture of material panels and Roman shades in Em’s outdated LA lounge. Be sure that in the event you’re putting in Roman shades above a window that opens in a casement fashion that when totally nested, they clear the highest of the window so you don’t have any points working the window. The identical goes for panels masking French doorways. You’ll need to set up the rod vast sufficient that each one the panels can acquire totally to the correct and left of the doorways and there’s no material in entrance when it is advisable to open them.
One more reason you’d need to set up a Roman shade totally above a window is to stop any mild from being blocked. In case you have a full-sun state of affairs, that is much less of a consideration, however for anybody involved with blocking even a small proportion of valuable daylight, that is how you’d need to dangle your shades.
Welcome to my new favourite material sort: the ripple fold. These are held on a monitor system put in both on the ceiling or on the wall. There isn’t a middle help on the material rod which implies you may transfer your panels totally left and proper with out having a mid-way stopping level. They give the impression of being so clear and trim, and work greatest in contemporary-style rooms, particularly you probably have a really giant span of home windows or doorways to cowl (or perhaps a full left-to-right, floor-to-ceiling wall).
And lastly, one other instance of one thing somebody with out skilled expertise may overthink: home windows of various sizes hung at completely different heights in the identical (small) room. My recommendation can be to go along with a easy shade fashion both inside or outdoors mounted (relying on the sill depth) just like the workplace within the Portland undertaking.
Now that I’ve coated a few of the inspiration posts which are straight associated to the wants of our readers right this moment, let’s have a look at particular hassle spots and the way I’d resolve the design conundrum.
When Three Turn into One
From the reader: “I’ve struggled with what to do for the window remedies on this room. It positively wants one thing to ‘end’ the room however I haven’t been in a position to determine what that ought to be. Would LOVE some assist!”
Let’s begin with one thing fairly easy right here. The reader submitted their eating room as a result of they’re in search of some polish to the area however don’t know easy methods to method this trio of home windows. They’ve just a few choices: blinds, shades, curtains. Since they requested for a “end” to the room, blinds would simply be useful to supply privateness. And whereas I’m not saying don’t add blinds, it actually doesn’t appear like the window is deep sufficient for them. They might set up blinds on the high of the home windows to go in entrance of the casing, and the identical goes for shades. BUT…
My opinion is that they go along with panels for a extra ornamental look. Plus, three material shades really feel like it could be loads for the attention, particularly as a result of there are 10 chairs, a heavy chandelier, and a shelving unit packed stuffed with bar goodies.
I feel they need to go along with an oil-rubbed bronze or black metallic material rod to match the opposite metals within the room, and dangle it excessive and vast atop all three home windows (just a few inches beneath the crown molding ought to suffice). For a state of affairs like this, ensure you should have sufficient panels that once you shut them, there’s a good quantity of motion within the material and so they aren’t simply flush straight throughout. A very good rule of thumb is to calculate the width of your window, then multiply it by 2 or 2.5 to get the material width wanted to look full somewhat than skimpy. I don’t know these measurements right here, however my guess is that 4-6 panels ought to do the trick (so when the curtains are open, they find yourself with both 2 or 3 panels on all sides of the window grouping). IMHO, 6 panels right here would really feel the richest, particularly in the event that they go for a thinner, lighter material equivalent to linen.
As for what panels, sufficient is happening on this room {that a} largely strong choice could be greatest. This room will get good mushy mild, which might be stunning via some white or cream linen sheers. I additionally assume a grayish-blue linen panel would work effectively with the artwork and rug in the event that they wished so as to add in some extra colour right here, and for a bit of sample and heat, I really like the beige grid pinstripe panels.
Left: Sheer European Flax Linen Curtain | Center: TwoPages Doublewide Pinch Pleat Fake Linen Drapes | Proper: Double Pinstripe Grid Window Curtain Panel
Divide & Conquer That Solar
From the reader: “The wall with two home windows faces north, and there’s a coated porch, after which our road. The only window faces west. This association has the next outcome: the room is sort of darkish, besides throughout time for supper within the late spring and early winter when everybody on the desk will get concurrently roasted and blinded by the setting solar. Ahhh! In consequence, we’ve left a obligatory however boring wood blind on the west window, however eliminated them from the north facet. The home is from the early twentieth century and we aren’t afraid of colour or sample. I’ve thought-about Roman blinds for the west-facing window, however don’t need to lose mild on the north ones, however gosh they need to all be the identical, proper?”
“…ought to all be the identical, proper?” Nope! Free your self, expensive readers, of this false impression. In case your home windows on completely different partitions have completely different features, you completely can go for blended window coverings. On this home, because the two home windows on the north wall seemingly don’t let in a lot mild, I feel the perfect transfer is to do an extended material rod with curtain panels for some added sample and drama. To verify not an oz. of sunshine is misplaced, they need to dangle the rod vast sufficient so the panels can totally relaxation on the skin of the window. I feel one panel to the left and proper and two in the midst of the home windows would work nice. In the event that they’re in search of privateness throughout the day, they’ll additionally add in some light-filtering interior-mounted Roman shades.
Talking of Roman shades, let’s add one to the window on the left; , the one which roasts and blinds the diners in right here each night. As a result of the reader loves colour and sample, I feel this window masking ought to be contrasting to no matter panels they select (i.e., not the identical material).
As for whether or not to mount it inside or outdoors, that each one relies upon. If they’re including Romans to the north home windows and mounting these on the within, then this window also needs to be inside mounted. If they’re simply going to do draperies and skipping the shades, I’d mount the Roman right here on the skin of the window so the peak of it matches the curtains.
I picked three groupings of potentialities beneath. I’m obsessive about these RHODE curtains from West Elm and assume they’d be stunning on this room with these emerald-green partitions. I feel they’d play properly with a light-colored woven Roman shade. A second choice can be a enjoyable addition to the butterfly-wrapped eating chair seats with a playful botanical that will complement the wall with out feeling overly heavy (although on this case, I would contemplate swapping rugs for one thing that will coordinate higher). I’m equally obsessive about Everhem’s new Heather Taylor Dwelling assortment and assume a candy gingham Roman shade is a superb distinction to the floral curtains. And at last, one thing a bit extra elegant and upscale: going with a colour block method right here with deep inexperienced velvet drapes for the north-facing home windows which might add extra texture and lusciousness to the room. A drapey Roman in a crisp white matches the vibe.
High Left: Premier Fashionable Pure Wooden Shades | High Center: Everhem x Heather Taylor Dwelling Customized Roman Shade in Cream | High Proper: Loosen up Roman Shade | Backside Left: RHODE Batik Scallop Edge Curtain (Set of two) | Backside Center: Priyanka Curtain | Backside Proper: Darkish Inexperienced Natural Cotton Velvet Curtain Panel
Go All of the Means In (& Throughout)
From the reader: “We’ve bought a curtain state of affairs in our lounge. I don’t know if the brand new window entrance in our residence is correct for it (one image window, the opposite sliding door). And there’s the issue of the ceiling, I wouldn’t even know easy methods to mount the rod (on the window body? two rods on both facet of the transecting?). We have now at all times been sheer curtain individuals, and I really like the additional privateness, heat and scrumptious homey feeling of sunshine curtains catching the sunshine and flapping within the open-window-breeze. Are you able to perhaps assist?”
YES!!! I hoped for a possibility to counsel a full wall of wonderful ripple fold drapes and THIS IS IT. However first issues first, I’m full-body jealous of this attractive lounge and that attractive view. Are you kidding?!? The fashion of this house is ripe for one thing fashionable and light-weight but dramatic. I do know the reader talked about not figuring out the place to hold issues, contemplating the ceiling wouldn’t permit for something ceiling-mounted. My suggestion is to maneuver the 2 globe lights on the left and proper of the sliding door/window combo, transfer the oil portray from the left facet to some other place within the room (perhaps to the correct of the hearth if room permits), and simply go all in with attractive sheers. Cling them on a monitor system *simply* beneath the ceiling beams on the wall, and go all the best way throughout…don’t simply cowl the window. The area to the left of the image window can be an ideal spot to gather all of the drapes when it’s open.
That is seemingly the job for a customized choice, which could be fairly dear. With monitor methods, you need to be sure you’re shopping for one thing high quality in the event you can, so it’s safe and easy. And with a wall this massive, you need to ensure all of the curtains are hemmed to precisely the identical size, or else it would look sloppy. A customized producer would have the ability to pull this off fantastically, although count on to pay just a few thousand for it.
If that’s not an choice, I discovered a extra inexpensive model (within the middle beneath). It will get the job executed visually and nonetheless permits for some customization when it comes to measurement so the reader can get the measurements good.
Left: Customized Ripple Fold Sheer Material | Center: Personalized Ripple Fold Linen-Like Sheer Curtains | Proper: Wave Fold Customized Drapes
They’re Cousins, Not Twins
From the reader: “We’ve had the mini blinds almost 20 years and so they present some put on, but additionally let all of the morning mild in (too early!). I hold waffling between Roman shades and curtains. Home windows should not the identical measurement—left is just below 50” throughout, proper is about 1/3 smaller. Hoping to get one thing with a comparatively clear, easy fashion with room darkening earlier than the summer season.”
I’ve to marvel why builders do this type of factor. Truthfully, WHY?!? The one factor I can consider is there’s something behind the wall subsequent to the home windows (pipes, electrical, and many others.) that needed to go there and couldn’t match a bigger window, however in that case, simply go along with two smaller home windows. UGH. Anyway…
Earlier than suggesting window coverings, I do need to provide up one potential resolution: transfer the mattress. I’m unsure of the scale of the area or the constraints of the wall to the correct with the dresser, but when the mattress and nightstands match, it might be good to simply shift every little thing. The dresser would match nice between the 2 home windows.
HOWEVER, we nonetheless would want to resolve a few of this reader’s plight, particularly getting this room darker within the mornings for them. That is the job for an interior-mounted blackout shade. And since there’ll at all times be a bit of mild that escapes out the edges of a shade, added curtains might help mitigate that.
When it comes to squaring up the scale distinction right here, this may merely be achieved by faking the attention. A very good ol’ trompe l’oiel, if you’ll. Principally, the reader ought to add two curtain rods, one above every window, hung on the identical width essentially to cowl the widest window (and for the way excessive, simply break up the distinction between the highest of the window and the ceiling). This fashion, she will be able to pull the drapes sufficient on every window to make them look the identical measurement (if she needs).
I picked three various kinds of clear, fashionable shades because the reader talked about wanting one thing easy: a blackout pull-down shades with a linen-like texture, a blackout mobile shade (which additionally helps with insulation of sound and warmth/chilly), and a blackout Roman with a flat entrance. Any of those would work with any of the panels I picked: one is a reasonably celadon for some added colour, one is a whispy white cotton, and the opposite is a impartial plaid for sample and extra light-filtering since they’re room darkening.
High Left: Designer Components Blackout Curler Shades | High Center: Premier Blackout Cellulars | High Proper: Customized Flat Blackout Roman | Backside Left: Celadon European Flax Linen Blackout Curtain | Backside Center: Cotton Slub Curtain | Backside Proper: Preston Plaid Room Darkening Curtain Panel
Aaaaand there we have now it! As I discussed at first, my recommendation isn’t the one method to go about masking these readers’ home windows, but it surely’s a begin with largely ready-made options. If you happen to’re focused on seeing extra of those—like easy methods to take care of window obstructions (A/C models, bizarre ceiling slopes, and many others.), renter options, transom home windows and extra—tell us and we are able to hold it coming!
Your good friend in window coverings,
Arlyn