5 Window Treatment Dilemmas With Their Design Solutions

I have 5 window treatment dilemmas to share today with their solutions. Who doesn’t have an odd window or window placement in their home?

1) Window Behind Bed

This question came in about a window on the wall where they wanted to put their bed. There really wasn’t another wall to put the bed. They wanted a way to make it look more intentionally designed.

Once the headboard goes up against that window, it only has a small portion that is peeking out from behind. After drapery was added it was only a small rectangle. If the blinds were opened to get some natural light in, it was only a sliver.

There’s another window on the side wall and the homeowner thought that both rods needed to be mounted at the same height.

Solution for covering window behind headboard.

I would definitely raise the rod here. Don’t go all the way to the ceiling, but about 6-8” below looks to be fine. That will give more fabric there and make the treatment seem more intentional.

I would just leave the draperies closed all the time, that tiny bit of light just isn’t worth that much and exposing the blinds accentuates how short the window looks on this wall and how the window feel blocked.

With taller drapery panels behind it feels cozy and luxurious and even now makes a design statement. They could keep the fabric a solid to match the walls or even do a patterned fabric now.

2) Window at Stairway

This window presented a problem at the bottom with the stair. Basically nothing could be hung to go below the window, like long curtains, because of the angle. This window was on the front of the house, so seen from the curb.

I shared two options with her, some cafe style curtains in a pretty sheer fabric. Keeping a treatment mounted on the window will handle the problem at the steps.

Window film could be added on a section of the window too for another layer of privacy while still getting light through. I really like the light coming in here.

Another option would be shutters. They stay right on the window and are easy to operate. They can give full privacy if desired.

Don’t hate on me for saying shutters. They can be very effective treatments depending on your goals. Believe it or not, they are easy to maintain and clean, with a Swiffer duster. I’ve taken down more dust filled drapery than you can imagine. Not many people or housekeepers vacuum their window treatments regularly and the dust settles there.

3) Another window behind a bed

Here’s almost the same situation as the first example, but there is an angle at the ceiling on both sides. The window is a little taller here too, although the ceiling is rather low here.

My first choice would shutters here too. I think the light might be more needed in here so I’d like to keep something operable.

I’d remove that crown in the space above the window and treat that area with some applied moulding. Then I’d paint that space white to match the shutters so that it extends that look up the wall.

I think doing drapery here will just make that space feel pinched and cover up too much of the window when open.

4) Cornice shelf moulding at window

This homeowner wanted to know how to treat these windows in her breakfast room. Obviously, a previous owner had a plate collection up there. :-)

I’d remove that whole cornice thing in a heartbeat. It is too heavy for the space and just cuts off the height of the room. Plus, I really don’t like the way it hangs off the sides on the walls there.

She has some kind of blinds here, so she could keep those or get woven wood shades or Roman shades. I like something at the window, not drapery here. I think the windows are just too narrow to have panels on each side of each window. They would block the light more and just feel too busy in this smaller space.

I also love the idea of a patterned fabric valance, which is similar look to a Roman shade mounted above the window. It would add some color, pattern and height to this area. See an example of these below.

5) Tall Window Wall

This homeowner had just moved into this home with a high ceiling and tall windows. They were going to be getting all new furniture and were putting a tall fireplace on the wall on the right side of this space.

I would definitely do tall drapery panels here. I’m really picky about the spacing between the lower windows and the uppers when I drape the whole area. I hate to see huge gaps of wall space between.

This gap is big, but well proportioned and I think tall drapery panels are the perfect solution here.

They will make a substantial visual statement and can add color and pattern to the space if they want.

Want to ask a question? I’ll be doing a Q&A mini-session end of October/first of November so follow me there for you chance to get a free answer to your design dilemma.

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