window treatments 101

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If you've ever attempted to dress a window, you’ve most likely found that the options are as varied as the shapes and sizes of the windows themselves. Well, here are some quick reference tips to help you troubleshoot your most complicated curtain dilemmas.

The Height and Length of Window Treatment

Many designers prefer to hang curtains as high as possible - usually just below the crown molding - to make ceilings feel taller and elongate the profile of the window. But in some cases, with high ceilings or low windows, that can be too high.
Curtains should generally be floor-length unless they're casual curtains in a kitchen or café curtains. Most designers prefer curtains to just touch the floor, with a small, perhaps half-inch, break.

The Proper Fullness for Window Treatments

Fullness depends somewhat on the fabric and the style of pleats. The rule of thumb for most fabrics is that the finished curtains measure two-and-a-half times the width of the window, but for sheers and silk, designers often prefer three times for fullness.
Box pleats generally require fabric three times the length of the curtain rod for the correct fullness, while a flatter style of panel, like a scalloped top or grommet panel may need only one-and-a-half times the curtain rod length.

Rods, Rings, and Finials

Designers often put as much thought and custom detail into the hardware as they do the curtain panels. You want to have rods and rings that are in proportion to the size of the room and windows. In a large room, that might mean a three-inch-diameter rod. There's nothing worse than skimpy rods and rings that look like they don't support the weight of the curtains. Skimpy can come across as “you’ve cut too many corners.”

Palladian Windows

Despite the popularity of this type of window (a large center window topped by an arched window and flanked by two side panels), designers agree that Palladian windows are one of the biggest challenges.
If the window cannot be left uncovered, curtains can be hung above the arch. The consensus is that the rod should probably not be hung at the bottom of the arch because that bisects the window. Another option for arched windows is to hang a soft shade or swag that follows the curve, with matching shades on the adjacent windows.

French Doors

Curtains should completely clear the doors so they can open. Or mount Roman shades onto each individual door. If a wall or room is lined with pairs of French doors, consider running a rod all the way across the wall, or a track all the way around the room, and flanking each set of doors with curtains. What you don't want to do is have one long valance and one set of curtains for multiple sets of French doors.

Bay Windows

Bay windows are often best addressed with shutters or soft fabric shades. Another option is to hang floor-length curtains on each side, or possibly run a cornice or valance across the top of the window. Custom curtain tracks can be curved or angled to match a bay or bow window.

Low or High Ceilings

Hang draperies from the ceiling or just below the crown molding to lift the eye and make a small space or low ceiling appear larger. You can also shorten the valance length to no more than 10 inches if the ceilings are low. If ceilings or windows feel too tall, you might choose curtains with a horizontal stripe to give them more volume on the sides.

For more information on measuring and choosing window treatments, click here.