If there’s one thing that we can count on like clockwork, it’s a flurry of curtain & blind-related questions in our inbox each and every day: where should I put curtains? where can I find good curtains? how do I hang curtains? So we’re here to answer a slew of them in one fell swoop. Hold onto your hats people, this could get crazy.
Q: What is your general philosophy on window treatments?
A: We believe that curtains and blinds can make for the biggest change in a room next to paint. They’re hugely important for a major makeover, and can add height, drama, breezy ambiance, softness, and even a punch of color to any space- and we definitely encourage everyone to give them a spin! We’re generally not big fans of valances, but we love the floor length curtain and blind combination and we always hang them “high and wide” as we say so often.
This means that we like hanging outside mounted bamboo blinds or roman shades a few inches below the ceiling to “cheat” a window up, and create the effect that it’s much taller and grander than it really is. Then hanging a curtain rod at the same level as the blinds, but extending the rod about 18″ wider than the window on both sides creates the look of a much wider window and allows the curtain panels to hang in front of the wall instead of encroaching on the window and blocking lots of much-needed light. When in doubt, go high and wide- it’ll make your ceilings feel taller, your room feel brighter, and your windows look HUGE!
Q: Where Do You Shop For Affordable Curtains?
A: Ikea, Target, Walmart, West Elm, JC Penney, and Bed Bath & Beyond are all great places to turn to when you’re hunting for curtains. Here are our ultimate favorites hanging on our living room window above (Ikea Vivan panels that are oh so cheap and classic- plus they come in two different lengths and have no-sew iron-on hem tape for easy installation that looks crisp and custom).
Q: How Do You Find Blinds Long Enough For Large Windows?
A: Here’s the secret: you can actually use two bamboo blinds hung next to each other to create the look of one for about a tenth of the price of a long custom blind! In fact, in our very own living room (pictured above) those are actually just two super cheap bamboo blinds snagged at Walmart and hung right next to each other (thanks to the textured bamboo material, no one’s the wiser). Beyond checking your local Walmart for a bunch of cheap bamboo blinds in many sizes, you can also try Target, Bed Bath & Beyond and even JC Penney for similar options.
Q: Where Can I Find Affordable Curtains For My Super Tall Ceilings (11 feet)?
A: For your curtain sitch in the room with the 11′ ceilings (what an awesome problem to have!) we’d suggest just hanging the longer Vivan curtains from Ikea (118′ long) since they’ll add a great amount of height and softness without needing to go all the way to the top of your 11′ walls (and they’re deliciously cheap to boot).
Q: How Should I Treat Curtains For 3 Windows Along One Wall With Space In Between?
A: Definitely go with one long rod. It will look seamless and less visually broken up… and it might even create the look of one big window instead of three smaller ones next to each other. We know that JC Penney sells curtain rods and extender pieces that can stretch those rods far beyond 12′ which should solve your problem on the double. For a visual, check out Blayne’s living room makeover that we helped her with a few month’s back. You can see how adding curtain panels where there are slivers of wall creates a breezy effect and makes smaller side-by-side windows look like one big wall of glass (and you can see how she cheated them about a foot and a half higher than the window and it looks great):
Q: What Window Treatments Should I Hang In My Bay Window?
A: Just do what we suggested for one our lovely readers (great job Nichole!). She removed her old swagged valance…
…and used a bay window curtain rod (available at Smith & Noble and JC Penney- or you can use three regular rods and remove the finials on the ends that meet to create the look of one seamless rod) to follow the contour of the bay window and hung some breezy curtains for softness along with inside mounted 2″ blinds for privacy.
Isn’t this window transformation astounding?! That’s the power of curtains, people!
Q: How Can I Use Curtains To Make A Curtain That’s Off Center Look More Symmetrical?
A: We’d totally vote for cheating the curtains over a bit for the appearance of a more balanced window. Once the panels are in place no one will know where the wall ends and the window begins! We actually cheated the heck out of our living room window and even the bedroom window with long floor length curtains (since they’re both not centered) and it adds a lot more balance and symmetry to each room.
Q: I already have inside mount blinds. Can I still hang curtains high & wide?
A: We definitely think the curtain panels would still look lovely hung high and wide with white wood blinds, but instead of hanging them right at the ceiling height, you’ll want to mount the rod about 6″ above the window so they’re cheated a bit higher but they still have a visual relationship with the blinds below. Almost everyone cheats their curtains at least 6″ above their windows these days, just because hanging the rod right at the top of the window can look oddly invasive and heavy… it needs a little air to breathe! And the bonus height and drama that it brings is the icing on the cake. Since a picture’s worth a thousand words, here’s another room makeover that we whipped up a while back to show just how lovely inside mount white wood blinds can look with curtains hung about 6″ above the top of the window:
Q: How Do You Keep Ikea White Curtains Clean?
A: With a dog and countless home improvement projects going on at all times, it’s safe to say that white curtains can be just as easy to maintain as any other color (our living room ones even survived a nearby kitchen remodel). We like to wash our Ikea curtains before we hang them so they’re pre-shrunk (in case we need to launder them to refresh them once a season, we don’t have to worry that they’ll shrink up and look like highwaters). Then it’s just about tossing them in the wash a few times a year to keep them looking bright. A lot of moms even tell us that white is their favorite upholstery color since it can be bleached or oxycleaned and always looks crisp and fresh.
Q: What Do You Do For Window Coverings In A Bathroom?
A: Both of our bathroom windows are blissfully bare. We’re lucky that they each overlook the backyard (so privacy isn’t an issue), but we like the look of shades, blinds, or even frosted window film or spray. There are lots of options for the bathroom, so as long as you don’t go with floor length curtains you’ll be a-ok. Sometimes the best idea is to peruse a shelter magazine or the internet for a bathroom you love and see how they addressed the windows and follow their lead. Inspiration is everywhere!
Q: What Do You Do About Privacy With Your Blind / Curtain Combo?
A: We actually never lower the bamboo blinds or close the curtains for privacy (we have a good amount of space between the houses in our neighborhood and we hang out in the den at night, which isn’t visible from the street (it’s behind that front fireplace that you see in our header- so there’s no front window to watch The John & Sherry Show from the street).
That being said, we do have those cheap-o white inside-mount roller shades in the bedrooms to block the light at night. The great thing is that they tuck right under our higher-mounted roman shades so no one’s the wiser that they even exist when they’re up. Anything from an interior mounted hidden roller shade to some pull-up 2″ blinds are perfect to use for privacy (since you can pull them up and “hide them” behind your bamboo blinds or roman shades when they’re not in use).
Q: What Curtain Length Do I Use On 96″ French Doors?
A: Good news! The Ikea curtains are great because they come with iron-on hem tape (no sewing, just fold the curtains where you wish they’d stop and iron the hem tape onto the bottom for an instant no-sew hem). But even though they’re easy to hem, it’s even easier to just hang those 98″ panels above your transom (wash them before you hang ‘em to pre-shrink them to make sure they don’t look too short for your perfectly mounted rod!). It’ll look great. And if you just wanted to mess around with the hem tape for fun, you could always get the 118″ curtains and hang them about 6″ above your transom for a bit more breathing room and height (and then just break out that iron, baby!).
Q: What Color Or Finish Curtain Rod To You Prefer?
A: We usually like oil-rubbed bronze or black rods best for our home (they feel classic without drawing a lot of attention to themselves), but chrome rods can look amazing and become more of a modern touch in contemporary rooms (especially with grommeted curtains). White rods can definitely work in certain situations but we find that thin white metal rods can feel a bit too dainty (you want your rods to be understated but not to look too flimsy for the long floor-length curtains they’re supporting). There are tons of gorgeous options out there though (our den ones, pictured below, are from Target), so it’s really just a matter of personal preference!
Q: Would It Look Weird To Have Different Height Curtains On On Wall? We Have A Sliding Glass Door Next To Windows…
A: I’d use the blinds and the curtains on both the windows and the sliding glass door for instant cohesion and balance. I’d also go out of my way to hang curtains at the same level (cheat one set higher so they look more symmetrical and balanced). Voila: height, softness and elegance to spare.
Q: What would you guys suggest for windows that have vertical blinds that can’t be removed (we rent)? Also, in a room that has contemporary black furniture, would you suggest white panels or black panels on those windows? Do you match your curtains to the main color of the room decor? Thanks so much!
Q: What About Curtain With Veritcal Blinds? We Rent.
A: When it comes to your curtain debacle, I’d generally steer clear of solid black curtain panels (since they can seem pretty heavy and dark) but something with a pattern that includes some black to tie them into your furnishings would be great (we love these from Ikea with white, black and green stripes). You can also choose to tie your curtains in with the wall color for an expansive and layered look or even with the upholstery on your sofa (say it’s tan, a cream curtain would complement that beautifully without feeling matchy-matchy). And when it comes to you vertical blinds, drawing them to one side and hiding them behind your curtain panels will make them virtually invisible (but they can still be used by pulling them back out when you need them). Similarly, horizontal blinds can be pulled all the way up and obscured behind bamboo blinds or roman shades when they’re not in use. Oh happy day.
Q: I know you guys are crazy about using white curtains for that light and airy look, but can bright saturated curtains work too?
A: They sure can. Check out this kitchen makeover that we helped Carla out with a few weeks back. This is her space before our accessory intervention…
And this is the same space after some paint and a few new accessories (including the vibrant green curtains that really make the space).
Q: Can I Use Blinds Or Curtain On Sliding Glass Doors?
A: Beth actually took our white-curtains-with-bamboo-blinds suggestion to heart when it came to her sliders, and here’s the amazing transformation. This is her valanced sliding door before…
… and her light and airy after:
The best part is that if you still want privacy (or are a renter) you can keep your vertical blinds pulled to the side and tucked behind one of the curtain panels to hide them when they’re not in use.
So there you have it. About a million curtain related queries and some lovely eye candy to demonstrate the power of curtains and blinds. Happy hanging everyone. And for more curtain related tips, tutorials and photos, check out our living room’s curtain & blind combination, and our den’s not-naked-anymore windows.
Update – Wanna know where we got something in our house or what paint colors we used? Just click on this button:
Rachel says
Thanks so much for the tips!
Our master bedroom has two windows on one wall, but with at least 2-3 feet wall space in between. Space is a premium where I live and we intended to use the wall space between to put a tall dresser or armoire. How would that work with curtains? Or, do you not recommend that at all and just forego the space in between and hang a long rod above both windows to make it appear as one?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, if you need the space, don’t waste it with curtains there when you could use a tall dresser. I would go with bamboo blinds or just curtains hung on the windows instead of extra wide. You could also do pretty roman shades. Good luck!
xo
s
Rachel says
Thanks Sherry! :)
Paulette CORDONI says
I need advice I have a window that is 95 w x 59 long, I just want some cost effective blinds and maybe some curtains. I love your ideas can you help? I can’t afford custom blinds right now can I use two of the same blinds 47 1/2 (x2)= 95? I was thinking still inside mounts like I currently have? Suggestions thanks so much
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we have used two types of the same bamboo blinds hung together at the same height and it was a great cost affective solution. Good luck!
xo
s
Sherene Savoia says
Looooove this site! Now I have 1 window only in my studio. West exposure and in the desert…so very hot in the summer! :-O I am in love with the Ikea shears and the bamboo style. My window is inside dimension 93.5″Wx34″L and my ceilings are 10ft 2in :-) My window sill sits at the 4ft level and goes up from there. Odd room indeed. So I can find the bamboo shades somewhere (2 of them) per your recommendations. The Ikea Vivians are only in the 96″ :-( And the problem child for me is I need a black out roller or something to inside mount to get the heat down and the light out in the morning. Your suggestions on the 118″ shears and where I may find a comparable set? And most importantly am I doomed to custom make one roller blind or roll up or is it possible to mount 2 inside?? I’m not seeing it but I am by no means even a novice at window treatments :-/ Your help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance!
Sherene
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, Home Depot sells blackout roller shades for inside mount in nearly every size, and then you can find 118″ sheers at Ikea! Good luck Sherene!
xo
s
Sherene Savoia says
Thank you for your quick response. I may be dealing with the new person at my HD but they wanted me to call Bali to get more info. I need to understand if 2 blinds can be secured at the center point on the inside or if they make them that way as the mounts are “L” shaped mounting on side and then the top…so how would that work for mounting of 2. Or is there just one blind with a center mount for security that is sold out there?
Sorry for my confusion but my HD crews out here in Lake Havasu City AZ and Bullhead City are not being helpful in this area of my renovation :-/
Sherene
YoungHouseLove says
We hung our bamboo blinds high and wide when we used two next to each other, so they went into the wall with those L brackets, not into the inside window mount position, which would be more complicated. I’d go about 6″ above the window with the blinds (and curtain rod if you’re adding one) like we did in our living room, just because that method worked for us. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Anne says
How would you advise hanging curtains for a living room with 19 ft. narrow windows flanking a large stone fireplace when the other wall has regular size windows? To further complicate things, the wall with the regular windows, has small windows at the very top of the ceiling. Tricky….
YoungHouseLove says
I would just try to cheat the curtains as wide as you can on the narrow windows (without hitting the fireplace of course). I would ignore the small windows at the top (let them let light in and just treat the lower windows). Good luck!
xo
s
Meika says
I noticed you don’t use tie backs a lot with your curtains. We inherited beautiful, good quality curtains that will luckily work with the feeling of the room (airy lake cottage), but we’re not sure whether or not to use the tie backs. Are they “in” or totally dated?
YoungHouseLove says
I think anything is in if you love it (I have seen people do allegedly “dated” things that look amazing, so I don’t really believe things that you love can be out) – so if you love that look I’d go for it! Personally I think we prefer the clean-lined thing, so that’s why we just choose hanging curtains that graze the floor. Either way it’s a nice way to frame out a window. Good luck!
xo
s
Erin says
I’ve only just found this blog – it is amazing! I could use some advice for the windows on our new house. In our master bedroom, we have 3 arched windows. 2 of them are on the wall where we will put our bed (they are on either side of where the bed will go) and the other is on a side wall. The windows are all identical size (2.5 ft wide x 5 ft tall, and they are about 2 ft off the ground).
We are thinking that curtains are really our only option for this shape of window – I don’t want to hide the arch and blinds would leave that awkward round part at the top. Also, even one panel of most curtains I’ve found is wider than each of these windows. If we go with curtains, do we just use one panel on each? And if so, what do you do with the curtain when you want the windows open – sweep it to one side or the other? That could work with the 2 windows on the bed wall (sweep the left window’s curtain to the left, and the right’s to the right) but what about the other window on the side wall? Or do you take one panel and cut it into 2, to hang normally? (I can’t sew). Or just use 2 panels and have a ton of extra fabric?
Do you have any other suggestions? I am completely new to this and am clueless about window treatments!
If it helps, our windows are a very similar shape to this: http://www.eurocaststone.com/ECSgal/Window%20Gallery/Back%20arched%20window.jpg
Thank you for your help!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s all personal preference but we like two curtains per window (so it’s balanced – one on each side, and they meet in the middle when you close them instead of sweeping them to one side). I would use two panels and have extra fabric since that actually looks luxe (it’s a nice and full effect). Good luck Erin!
xo
s
Sarah says
Hey there, I came across your blog on Pinterest and have been watching you guys ever since! You have great ideas and, unlike sooo many blogs, are budget mindful!
I have a question for you though… I have one VERY LARGE section of windows in our front room (6 windows to be exact) and I have NO idea what to do with them! They have privacy blinds right now (we have an unobstructed view of the street) so I’d like to keep those to keep the wandering eye out. But they’re so very ugly and boring…HELP!
Here is a link to my pinterest page with a diagram of our window to help you get the idea. Thanks a bunch! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/409968372301288193/
-Sarah
YoungHouseLove says
What about white faux wood blinds with pretty curtains on each side? Layered makes them so pretty, so adding fabric would be nice. Good luck!
xo
s
Ginger says
I just love your white curtains with the bamboo type blinds underneath! So breezy, fresh and clean looking! I think white is so much easier to keep clean myself. Love your whole look!
Marsha says
I am digging the Vivian curtains. I have modern stark white walls. Are the Vivian curtains stark white, ivory, or off white?
YoungHouseLove says
I’d call them a true white (not cream or ivory) but not a cool blue-white, just a very basic white tone. Hope it helps!
xo
s
A-L says
Our urban bedroom has a large set of windows facing the street. We want to put top-down cellular shades in so that we can still get natural light while maintaining our privacy. We also have drapery panels which will hang on the sides of the windows.
My question is, what color for the shades should we do? Do we go with a white/whitish color that goes with the woodwork so we don’t have to change the shades if we change color schemes? Or do we go with something that blends with the drapery panels & wall color (a goldish color), so that the shades don’t stick out, but then would probably have to be replaced if we change our color scheme?
YoungHouseLove says
I would do something either white or cream since that should work with a lot of things, but be pretty neutral (longterm/safe). Hope it helps!
xo
s
A-L says
Thanks so much!
Christine C says
Hi there, YoungHouseLove. Your article is timeless and such a great help to a new home buyer like myself. The design of my windows require an outside mount. And as a result, I went with the 2″ white faux wood blinds and beige accent tape. While it looks nice, I miss the classic look of curtains. Based on your expertise, is it possible to mount curtains above the blinds or would you not recommend it? Thanks again for the wonderful article!
YoungHouseLove says
Sure! They do that in gorgeous rooms in Pottery Barn catalogs sometimes. I say go for it!
xo
s
Lisa Langenfeld says
Hi! I came across your blog while searching DIY projects on Pinterest, and have to tell you how much I love your blog – from family to house stuff! I love all the step by step tips and cost-conscious advice. We are starting some big home renovations and your blog always provides the best inspiration and help.
I love the look of the Vivan curtains, but the past few days Ikea has said they are out of stock/discontinued – boo! Do you have any suggestions for similar curtains to replace the Vivan’s?
Thanks so much!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh no! Maybe just check their site (or in person) for white curtains that aren’t sheer but aren’t super heavy? They were just mid-weight and were white and not cream. Hope they have something similar.
xo
s
Lisa Langenfeld says
We went to IKEA today and they had them!! Thanks so much! Keeping my fingers crossed they don’t shrink too much (cold wash and air dry). Our living room looks SO much better.. already!!! Thanks again!
YoungHouseLove says
So glad!
xo
s
Pamela says
I adore your blog and love having a go-to site when I’m looking to change up things in our family’s home. We’re considering the bamboo/curtain combo, but I noticed that this post dates back a handful of years ago. Do you still use this combo with updates or do you have a new favorite? We need to pretty up a bay window in our basement. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Still love it!
xo
s
ADM says
Hi,
Is it ok to do just curtains or are some kind of blinds and shades absolutely necessary?
ADM
YoungHouseLove says
You can just do curtains if you’d like! No rules about needing blinds or shades at all.
xo
s
ADM says
Cool thanx a ton!
jenny1963 says
Hi Sherry and John!
I have a problematic window situation which (shockingly:-)) iI don’t think you’ve addressed.
I have a small room (9.5″ deep and 13′ wide) in my basement, with lowish ceilings (ceilings are 8 feet 2 inches,) and one SMALL (31″W x 27″H,) deep-set window that is set HIGH (since we’re slightly below grade.) The window is 8″ from ceiling (window has elaborate crown molding) and is 40″ from floor. I see clients there (I’m a therapist.) The window is set somewhat asymmetrically with 7 inches difference from wall to window and closet door to window.
I was hoping to amplify the light from the window by gluing tall skinny mirrors on either side of the deep-set window, but I am not sure what to do with window treatments. I was planning on hanging the drapes up high at the ceiling, but am worried that the drapes might overwhelm the size of the room. I was going to use an airy drape that is similar to the light wall color of the room.
Is there a way of making the window appear is though it’s longer vertically downward, as well as larger horizontally? Does that make sense?
Any thoughts would be SO much appreciated!!
Love your blog!!
YoungHouseLove says
If you hang curtains high they make the window feel vertically taller, and if you hang them wide, it gets wider. Sounds like you could go high to accent the verticality without going too wide. Good luck!
xo
s
ann collins says
I am anxious to know whether vertical blinds (which I prefer) would be suitable for leaded light (diamond pattern) windows.
Thank you
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, I would give them a try and see what you think! On one hand I’d worry so many lines in so many directions might be chaotic (so you might prefer the look of lined roman shades instead), you could bring one pair home from Home Depot and hang it up to see how you feel about it before moving on to doing all the windows. Good luck!
xo
s
Signature Windows says
I really like this Q&A style discussion. You get so much useful information for so many rooms in one spot. Thank you for writing this post this way.
Tracy says
Can i hand long curtains on windows that are right behind my couch?