Window Treatment Tips for
Every Type of Window

Know what you are dealing with! Every type and style of window suits a different style of curtain or blind.

Read on for useful window treatment tips, and to find out which window treatment suits your window the best...

This is one of the most important aspects to consider when you are choosing curtains or blinds for your home.

Every window type has considerations which will help you make the most of its features, or disguise its faults.

So, just pick your window type from the list below, and check out exactly what you need to consider...

Go straight to buying curtains information

Casement Windows
Sash Windows
Modern Picture Windows
Long Horizontal Windows
Bay and Bow Windows
Corner Windows
French Windows
Single Working Door
Dormer Windows
Skylights
Pairs of Windows
Slanted Top Windows
Arched Windows
Round Windows



Window Treatment Tips for Casement Windows

• Casement windows are a traditional style of window, found in older-style houses.


• They are usually quite deep-set, and open outwards, so curtains positioned right inside the frame are ideal.


• These will only be short curtains, ending at the sill, so if you want an elegant and dramatic statement for your room, choose floor length curtains, used as well as, or instead of, the inset curtains.

  These should be positioned on the outside of the frame.

Window Treatment Tips for Sash Windows

• Sash windows are incredibly sought-after period windows, found in older, historic properties.


• They are an attractive feature for the room, in their own right, so try to make sure that your window dressing enhances the window.


• Mount your curtains outside the frame, and well above the frame, to make sure that your curtains will not hide any of this attractive feature.


• Also consider swags or a valance, to nicely draw attention to this type of window frame.

Window Treatment Tips for Modern Picture Windows

• These are the types of windows which are usual in modern homes. There is plenty of glass in this style of window, so choose a quality lining to your curtain, to keep your room well insulated.


• Modern window frames don't really make much of a feature in their own right (unless you have a fantastic view!), so a 'generous' window treatment will be best.


• Use plenty of fabric, hung outside the window frame. Choose floor-length curtains, to enhance the feature and make your window look more elegant.


• If your picture windows adjoin a door, so long as there is a little wall space in between, it usually looks best to treat the door and window separately, and consider having two different length curtains.

Window Treatment Tips for Long Horizontal Windows

• These are quite common in modern homes. They have quite unusual proportions, so need careful thought, to help correct the proportions in the room.


• Positioning the curtain track or pole quite a distance above the top of the window can help these windows look taller.

  You should choose floor length curtains to help with this too.



• As an alternative, especially if your windows are deep-set, try shorter curtains, set inside the frame.


• For a really modern option, choose roman blinds, or venetian blinds, sat inside the frames, with full length, dress curtains (that means that curtains are just there for show, and don't get drawn), on the outside of the frame, at both sides.

Window Treatment Tips for Bay and Bow Windows

• A fantastic feature for any room - so you really want to make the most of, and enhance, this window, when you choose your window treatments.


• The best option is usually a flexible curtain track which can follow the line of the window frame exactly.

  You can extend the track a little at either side of the window, to make sure that the curtain fabric does not bunch up. This also leaves the maximum amount of the window on show.



• Another option, and one that I have used myself, is to fit a series of blinds around the window. It gives a very modern feel, which I do like.


• Even though it might be a good, practical idea to fit sill length curtains if you have a radiator right under your window, I still think it looks a little strange!

  Floor length curtains look far better, and will really emphasise this attractive feature.



• A really good look to consider, which will give you the best of both options, is floor length dress curtains, combined with sill length curtains or blinds.

Window Treatment Tips for Corner Windows

• For two windows that meet in the corner, with no space in between, use one pair of curtains, and mount the curtain tracks or poles above the frames, so that they meet in the corner.

  (Some very neat cutting and mitring may be necessary).

  When they are open, each single curtain should hang at the outer edge.



• If you prefer, you could fit floor length dress curtains at each outer edge, then fit roller, roman or venetian blinds to each window.

  In this case, take care how the inner corner will work and meet together nicely, without leaving a gap.



• It will rarely look good to have curtains hanging in the central corner when open, but if you think it will be a good look for you, then why not just go for it?

Window Treatment Tips for French Windows

• These are doors opening onto the garden. They are a very attractive feature for your room, and should be dressed to really emphasise this lovely focal point.


• For two doors together, choose a pair of floor-length, well lined, door curtains on a pole heading.

  Where possible, extend the pole a little to either side of the doors. This will make sure your doors will open easily, when the curtains are open.



• If you have only one door, combined with windows, this should still be treated as a single unit, and dressed with one pair of floor length curtains.

Window Treatment Tips for a Single Working Door

• A door needs a thick, quality, well lined, floor length, door curtain for insulation in the winter.


• Make sure your door will open easily - extend the pole or track to one side (usually the side with the door hinges).

  Use a single curtain (rather than a pair) and pull your curtain well out of the way of the opening door, by using a decorative tie-back.

Window Treatment Tips for Dormer Windows

• Dormer windows can be quite problematic - as I am sure you will know if you have them.

  But don't worry, there are lots of different options you can try, depending on which look you think will suit your room, and your own preferences, best.



• Make good use of the side walls (the recess) of dormer windows - to make the most of this attractive window feature, and keep all available light.

  Use a flexible curtain track to fit into the U-shaped recess, and pick short curtains (just down to the sill, or the bottom of the frame).

  For a more modern, sleeker appearance, pick a blind, instead of short curtains.



• Alternatively, if you want to go for a more elegant look choose full, floor length curtains.

  Position a curtain pole along the outside of the window frame, well above the dormer window. Extend the pole quite a long way, on the walls either side of the window.

  To keep the curtains close to the wall and sloping ceiling (rather than hanging straight down, in mid air, and looking ridiculous) position a further pole beneath the window (at the height where the sloping ceiling meets the upright wall).

  The pole should be an identical length and style to the curtain pole above.

  Tuck the curtains behind this pole to keep them neatly in place, but still able to open and close easily.

Window Treatment Tips for Skylights

• Skylights are another awkward spot to fit for window treatments. Conventional curtains are not really suitable at all.


• Purpose made blinds are available for skylights, but these are quite a bit pricier than normal blinds.


• If you don't want to buy purpose made blinds, you can use ordinary roman, venetian or roller blinds on your skylights.

  To make this work, add wooden battens to the frame, to stop the blind from flapping about, and keep it running in the right place.



• Alternatively, make a mini curtain, which will fit just the opening part of skylight, and will move with the skylight.

  Fasten the mini curtain securely, top and bottom, to stop this flapping about too.

Window Treatment Tips for Pairs of Windows

• Where two or more windows are positioned very closely together in one room, they should be treated as a single unit.

  Generally this does apply whether the windows are identical in shape and size, or not.



• A curtain pole across both windows, with long, floor length curtains will unify both windows into one area.

  Choose a pair of curtains, and pull them back to have one single curtain at either end.



• If you do have a wider space, in between the two windows, you might want to add a third, small dress curtain, to fill the space.

Window Treatment Tips for Slanted-top Windows

• A slanted-top window is usually seen where the window has been fitted in under a sloping roof/ceiling. This is very awkward to fit with conventional curtains and window dressings.

  Don't worry though, there are a couple of options to get your window covered in a sensible fashion.



• One option is to fit the curtain rack or pole horizontally across the window, along a line with part of the window frame would look best - this will leave a top triangle of window uncovered. This option would work really well for blinds too.


• If there is quite a gap between the top of the window and the ceiling, mount your curtain pole horizontally above the highest point of the window, in the usual fashion.


• It might be that a ceiling mounted track, with a specially-shaped (to fit!), light-weight fabric hanging down, might look best, and be most suitable for your window.

Window Treatment Tips for Arched Windows

• Arched windows are a really beautiful focal point for your room, so you will want to choose a window dressing that emphasises and enhances the beautiful shape.


• A long curtain pole, that extends quite a distance either side of the window is ideal, as it will allow you to pull the curtains right back (use tie-backs!) to show off the window's shape.


• If you want to really show off the shape of your window, go for something a little fancier, such as a specially shaped valance, around the top of the window.

  You could also try sheer curtains, voiles and nets, in an 'Italian Stringing' style, which will really enhance the shape.



• If your tastes are for something simpler and more modern, try a simple blind, hung part way up the window. This will leave the top, arched part of the window bare - and will really make a feature out of it.

Window Treatment Tips for Round Windows

• While looking through the 'round window' may bring to mind 'Play School' (A UK Kids' TV programme - people not from the UK may have no idea what I am on about - in that case - sorry!) you are very lucky to have such an unusual window feature.


• If you can leave your round window bare, without any curtains, it will look better.

  With curtains, there is always the danger of it looking like you are about to have a ceremonial unveiling of some sort of wall-plaque.

  If you do wish to use a curtain for some privacy, you do have a couple of options:



• One option is to use a small pair of curtains, on discreet tracks, above and below your window. The curtains should be fixed in place, top and bottom.

  Try to get the edges of the curtains to almost meet in the centre of the tracks. Each curtain should then be evenly tied back, in the centre, at either side.

  This will really emphasise the round shape.



• If your window is of a suitable size, you can actually make a window treatment from a hula-hoop.

  Make a simple curtain with a plain, slot heading. The width of the curtain should be equal to the circumference (the distance all around the edge) of the hula-hoop. Take the hoop apart, and thread the curtain on.

  Simply gather the bottom of the curtain into the centre of the hoop and secure.

  You may choose a sheer curtain, or a thicker one, depending on your preferences.

  Put a hook into the wall, and lift the whole hoop and covering up or down to cover or uncover your window.



• If these sound too complex, and you still really want curtains at this window, simply go for a single, normal, conventional curtain, positioned well above, and to one side, of your round window.

  Make sure the curtain fabric is kept well away from covering your special, feature window - a tie-back is a good option.

  Pick a short curtain, and don't be tempted to go for a floor length curtain.

Buying Curtains and Window Treatments

The best place I have found for buying curtains online is 'Smith and Noble'.

They have a great selection of all different curtain types and styles, and a site that is really easy to navigate around.

They have loads of help and info on choosing your curtains, and other window treatment tips, so have a really good browse before choosing.

They also have a great 'child safety' section, which has some very important info, if you have kids.

Click below to find out more...

Window Treatments at Smith+Noble

If any of the products from this recommended retailer interest you, please support my website by using the link on this page to buy. The price to you is always the same, but I will earn a small commission.

This allows me to continue to provide you with the information on this website, all for free.

I hope these window treatment tips for every kind of window, have given you a pretty good starting point for planning your curtains, blinds and window treatments.

Don't forget that these window treatment tips are not set in stone - they are just guidelines.

Feel free to go with whichever style or design suits your home and your personality best. If you love it, then that is the most important thing!

More Curtain Help

Take a look at practical and stylish advice for your interior design window treatments - consider your room size, proportions, architecture and, of course, your personal preferences and style.

Angelica has a question about drapes for her tall ceilings

Learn more about different styles of blinds for windows.

Don't make an expensive mistake! Read this easy-to-follow guide to measuring for window treatments.

Take a look at this guide to buying and hanging window treatments

Still need more info?

Look at my selection of window treatment books here!





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