Allie M. Harper is a writer living in Philadelphia. She has an unhealthy obsession with antique Persian rugs and anything that even resembles the color mint.
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Curtains, roller shades, and blinds can not only help you get privacy (and maybe more sleep), but they can also add major flair to any room. Velvet panels are glam and posh, while a bamboo roller shade feels boho or coastal. Choosing a window covering can be quite overwhelming (sheer? blackout? blinds? motorized?), so we’ve narrowed down 33 of our favorite window treatment ideas to assist when it comes time to dress up your windows.
1. Add soft sheers.
This Georgia living room features soft pink sheers that work perfectly with the pink and green accents splashed around the room. Sheers are great for adding a touch of color without blocking any of the natural light that comes in the windows.
2. Match the furniture.
The living room in this Maryland cottage features curtains that perfectly match the sofa. Rather than appearing too matchy, it creates a cohesive, pulled-together look that’s pleasing and not at all chaotic.
3. Leave them uncovered.
Sometimes, windows just don’t need any type of covering at all. That’s especially the case when they’re an odd size, when there’s furniture in front of them, or when they open to a super private outdoor space where onlookers can’t easily see into your home. This historic Chicago solarium demonstrates this perfectly.
4. Add half-length curtains.
The owners of this Santa Monica beach house (who just so happen to be Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, swoon!) didn’t see the point of adding floor-to-ceiling curtains to this simple bedroom. Instead, half-length curtains are all that’s needed to block any unwanted light streaming in.
5. Cover it with plants.
Especially if you’re short on space, in front of a window is a perfect place to hang a plant. After all, what better way for your green friends to get the sunlight they so desperately need? This New York City bedroom is a great example.
6. Layer sheers.
Pro tip: Adding sheers behind your curtains makes any space look more high end. We love the neutral hues of the window coverings in this Barcelona apartment.
7. Use bamboo shades.
Pairing bamboo shades with curtains adds texture and visual interest to your room in a snap. In this Charlotte, North Carolina dining room, the window treatments and chairs play with similar textures.
8. Try a wall of curtains.
Try spanning a curtain rod across the length of an entire wall and hanging it higher than your windows. This offers a high-end look and makes your space feel bigger, as seen in this Brooklyn studio apartment.
9. Just cover the sides.
Bay windows like the one here in Bonnie and Per’s San Francisco home can be tricky to outfit with coverings, since it feels like you need so many panels. Just bring in the softness of draperies by flanking the set of windows with a pair of curtains instead.
10. Add Roman shades for non-standard measurements.
Wide Roman shades are the ideal solution for covering up your windows when you might be dealing with awkward lengths due to low storage and extra wide windows. The owners of this Berkley, California, home went with a light off-white similar to their walls so light could still get through while keeping the room private. (Bonus: you can hang this window treatment without drilling by using a handy tension rod.)
11. Use Roman shades for French doors.
Similar to the previous solution, Roman shades can also work for French doors (and smaller windows without much clearance on the sides for rods or drapery hardware). It’s a super clean look (that worked great in this coastal Newport Beach home).
12. Use bamboo Roman shades for easy clean up.
Kitchens can be a bit of a disaster zone at times, with sauces accidentally flying everywhere and rogue grease splatters (oh, is that just me?), so curtains aren’t exactly a recipe for cleanliness and success. Take a cue from the NYC home of Sarah Jacobson, which employed a bamboo Roman shade on the kitchen window instead of drapes.
13. Employ a pop of color.
In a mostly neutral room (with the exception of a killer rug, of course), a splash of deep gem-like emerald on the curtains really draws in any greenery from the outdoors (especially helpful in a Nordic environment like the one this Swedish home is set in).
14. Drape them to add softness.
Make a large window appear even dreamier by pulling back your curtain panels to introduce a bit of a drape (it doesn’t hurt that this home looks out to Valencia, Spain, of course). It softens the whole room.
15. Keep the light flowing with sheer panels.
In some rooms, it’s a crime to block soft, warm light from streaming in just so. In these instances, as in this LA studio, sheer panels keep that sweet, sweet light flowing during all daylight hours.
16. Space them out.
For a full look, space out panels between windows. Sheers, like the ones in wedding photographer Anna Zajac’s Chicago home, keep things light and wispy.
17. Employ a track system.
Do you have some windows or sliding glass doors that go just about all the way up to the ceiling? Try curtains hung via a track system (affixed to your ceiling as seen in this Netherlands dining space) so you’re not dealing with any weird gapes.
18. Keep it tidy with matching shades.
Lots and lots of windows need lots and lots of draperies and curtain hardware (if you’re attempting to cover them, that is). A way to keep it all looking tidy (and generally, a more affordable option) is to install Roman shades instead (they save the day again!) like the ones shown in this California living room.
19. Use inexpensive roller shades.
Similar to Romans but generally less expensive and more modern looking, roller shades come in a bunch of different widths (some sites let you customize exactly what you need, in fact — a good option for a homeowner), colors and opacities. The shades in this Brooklyn apartment are pretty sheer, but rest assured there are many, many options out there.
20. Add a pop of color.
Buying a colorful sofa can be pretty scary (#commitment). A less semi-permanent decision if you like color? Curtains. Pull a hue from the rug in this Detroit living room (or throw pillows and other decor), and use it as a solid on your windows. It’ll give you the pop you’re looking for without the fear of fatigue (after all, panels are far cheaper to change out than a sectional).
21. Try a bold pattern.
Of course if you’re the fearless decorator, a bold pattern (rather than a solid) is a great way to make a splash. One tip though is to bring in some black and white. The zebra rug in this Austin, Texas living room might draw a lot of attention because of its motif, but the neutral colors kind of ground all the other elements in the space.
22. Use a soft shade.
In this Chicago living room, soft blue Roman shades work great to block light from coming in through small windows (because of TV glare likely) without having to unnecessarily be tucked between the sofa and the wall as drapes would be.
23. Get a double track.
We already talked about curtains affixed to a track on the ceiling, but a double track will get you that layered look loved by designers. It’s not just lush looking, but also really functional. A sheer layer lets in light but keeps things at least a little more private, while a thicker layer blocks out light entirely.
24. Go monochromatic.
We’ve heard it said that some people don’t love curtains because they look stuffy and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be that way! We’re not trying to twist your arm or anything, but here’s an idea from a super charming South Carolina home: match the color of your drapes to your wall so they blend in seamlessly. This works particularly well in white and cream rooms.
25. Employ a two-tone color scheme.
A similar approach but with a bit more contrast: Curtains like the ones in this Arlington, Virginia apartment that are close in color to the wall (particularly in a darker hue) from the sill down keep things grounded, but a lighter shade on the upper part of the panel helps the room to remain open feeling.
26. DIY some dip-dyed curtains.
Stash this away as a fun DIY to do one weekend: Dip dyed curtains like the ones in this California bungalow look fresh, boho-inspired and add an element of the unexpected to a room.
27. Add some bamboo roller shades.
Bamboo roller shades are inexpensive yet add so much texture to a room. They’re also a great way to inject some earthiness to a room with lighter colors and something like a floral wallpaper. Look to this bright, airy Los Angeles home for inspiration.
28. Frame a piece of furniture.
It’s not always ideal to put a key piece of furniture (like the piano in this Los Angeles home) up against a large window, but if you have to do it, a nice way to frame it out is with curtain panels.
29. Try tone-on-tone.
The tone-on-tone look isn’t for everybody, but if it’s for you, take inspiration from this blogger’s Michigan dining room. Having curtains with just a bit of a pattern (instead of a solid in the same hue as your walls), helps to bring a little texture to the room.
30. Reach for the ceiling.
In a room with ornate ceilings and stunning floors (not to mention the chandelier!), you want to avoid stealing too much attention away with something like draperies (there’s a time and place for that, people). Here in this Amsterdam eating space, the curtains serve the function of providing privacy more so than adding substantial style to the room.
31. Pair bamboo shades and sheers.
Here’s a layered look that works great in this Los Angeles bedroom: layered roller bamboo shade + sheer(ish) panels.
32. Try light and airy Roman shades.
Need to put your bed up against a window but don’t want to deal with dusty blinds? You guessed it…try a Roman shade (ahh the versatility!). Look how bright and clean this Maine bedroom appears.
33. Make sure the curtains are hung in the right spot.
And finally, before hanging, be sure to familiarize yourself with all the dos and don’ts of hanging curtains, so they look as perfectly placed as the ones found in this Austin, Texas bungalow.
Additional reporting by Carolin Lehmann
