The Best Window Treatments for Every Room of the House

Good window treatments can completely transform a room that doesn't feel totally complete. From Roman shades and cafe curtains to floor-to-ceiling drapes and everything in between, there are tons of stylish options for sprucing up your windows — even the tricky ones. Read on to but the style we're loving for each room of the house — and how to pick the right window treatments for your space.

If you’re lucky enough to have windows and glass doors that span several walls of your space (a common architectural feature of midcentury homes), know that there’s no reason to forgo the pleasure of mounted accessories. Consider this cleverly-designed condo, where floor-to-ceiling curtains provide privacy and visual structure — and vivid, large-scale artwork hangs from a pair of chains just in front of it. Where there isn’t a wall, as it were, there’s a way.

Curtain rings like the ones in this ornate, rustic room are a very old form of hardware — so old, in fact, that Lewis and Clark brought more than 400 of them along on their exploration of North America to give the natives as gifts. In Pliny’s Natural History (completed in 77 AD), he wrote that the Romans hung curtains from poles with rings fashioned from palm nuts. These contemporary curtain rings, by contrast, are a fine choice because the rods to which they’re connected are so very high; tabbed or rod pocket curtains would be much more difficult to draw in their place. This method of suspending curtains is best for lighter fabrics like this print, whereas a panel of velvet in the same dimensions would be heaped on the floor in no time.

To channel classic Scandinavian atmosphere, consider how window treatments in ethereal spaces like this Reyjkavik room are virtually nonexistent — which makes sense, given that Icelanders enjoy just five hours of sunlight in the winter. Barely-there window treatments are even more effective when window hardware and the wall surrounding them are a crisp, clean shade of white; take a page from this time-honored tradition and invite the outdoors into your living room.

This light-filled Danish modern living room is piled with sumptuous textiles, from the graphic area rug and a sectional topped with throws and pillows to a fluffy armchair that might actually be a sheep. It does not need another fabric to interrupt the lines of its handsome windows — which is where these crisp grey cellular blinds come in. If you’ve dismissed treatments like these as inexpensive, unattractive stopgaps, it’s time to give them another look: with virtually nonexistent hardware and craftsmanship that’s light years ahead of the first generations of honeycomb blinds, these grey panels have a simple elegance that can finish a room beautifully.

The hand-painted, dark blue treatment on the walls, molding and window hardware in this living and dining room are a lot of (glorious) look — and they call for textiles that complement without competing with them. The solution? Tone-on-tone indigo fabric in cornices and gently ballooned Roman shades with crimson accents that just happen to echo elements of the chandelier above the dining room table. (By the way, Roman shades do indeed hail from ancient Rome, first when citizens would drape wet cloth over their windows to keep dust and debris from the construction of the Colosseum from getting into their homes... and later at the Colosseum itself, where pleated awnings were extended and contracted to keep patrons comfortable.)

The white-on-white porcelain, marble and wood in this master suite offer a neutral base that its sepia-on-white hand-painted floral wallpaper and white-on-sepia exaggerated damask Roman shades accent beautifully. Papers and fabrics like these are both searchable from many sellers according to their dominant and secondary tones; if you’ve settled on one and need to find a complement in the other, try plugging its colors into a few sites’ engines and browse the results until you make a match.

Big, bold moves abound in this eclectic guest room: that ornate plum-and-fuchsia carpet! The electric teal midcentury dresser! The smoky whorls on that carved credenza! Accordingly, the treatment on its angled trio of windows has the confident feel of an abstract painting: a clean gold valance creates a bolt of brightness across the ceiling, and pleated curtains in a warm, intricate print pull across from the left. (Hint: If you’re going to go big with a feature like this, give the eye a few resting places, like the white walls, white window hardware and neutral bed here.)

It goes without saying that the rolling Virginia countryside is the star of this spacious living room. How committed to that view are its owners? So committed that the translucent curtains flanking its windows can’t be drawn to block it: the rods supporting them end just beyond their edges. Since those rods hold narrow panels of fabric instead of the massive pieces they’d need to span the whole room, the gathered pleats they create retain a sense of airiness and grace.

This guest bedroom demonstrates that sometimes a bold pattern deserves another: the white-on-chartreuse damask wallpaper strikes a strong note to get the design started, then an equally charismatic fabric trails down a green-trimmed Roman shade and brightens the bed. A larger-than-life vertical pattern like this one is especially well suited to a half-drawn shade with horizontal pleats; creating a set of vertically pleated curtains to draw across the window, by contrast, would swallow beautiful details like the stripe in the center of the panel. In other words, gather a vertical pattern horizontally, and vice versa.

If you settle on a fabric that looks fabulous from every direction — Schumacher’s classic Lotus Garden, seen here, is a good example — seize the opportunity to pleat it however you can. Café curtains on a gold rod frame the sink and a trio of sun-loving house plants; Roman shades, in turn, flank the range above a pair of ginger jars. Is that Lotus Garden rolled out a third time as button-tufted cushions for wicker barstools? Indeed it is.

Would you rather bask in abundant sunlight in your bedroom or drift off to dreamland in complete and total darkness? Get the best of both worlds by pairing sheer panels with heavy, blackout drapes. During the day, draw back the drapes to enjoy the sheer panels and sunlight, then pull them closed at night for privacy and darkness.

Celebrated southern maximalist James Farmer channeled windswept dunes by installing tortoiseshell Roman shades that complement the neutral grass cloth wallpaper in this traditional tropical bedroom. He then integrated drama by revisiting those same windows with high-contrast, geometric Quadrille fabric in a bold trellis pattern — and redeploying it on the bed’s European shams. If a window treatment makes your heart sing, why stop there? Carry those very same components through your space for a truly immersive look.

Since this bedroom’s massive windows are directly behind the bed, channeling one’s inner Scandinavian and letting them go uncovered would be an awfully intimate proposition. Instead, magnificent translucent sheers (with hidden hardware that almost makes them feel like a wall treatment) match both the four-poster bed’s linens and paint that tints both the wall and molding. The ethereal look they create is an ideal backdrop for the bed’s architectural frame and the dark, shapely lamp on the bedside table.

Speaking of patterns so nice they’re used twice (or thrice, as in the case of this French country master bedroom), this bold vertical floral print carries from a dramatic feature wall to accent pillows and Roman shades framed with blush double panel curtains on a crisp black rod. The rod itself echoes the curvaceous turned posters on the magnificent bed, while those can’t-stop-won’t-stop florals both evoke classic Parisian drama and offer an update on traditional bedroom arrangements. If you fancy a potentially-fussy pattern like this one for a window treatment, go ahead and make it the star of the space; more is definitely more here.

What we most commonly think of as café curtains — that is, cloth window coverings hung on a rod across the middle of the window — adorned Viennese cafes in the 19th century before becoming a popular way to add visual interest and just a smidge of privacy to kitchens in private homes. If privacy isn’t an issue in your space, consider raising the bar: bed linens, cloth napkins and even dazzling fabric remnants can be repurposed to great effect as café curtain headers or valances like this charismatic toile-and-check duo.

Instead of limitng yourself to one window treatment, bring in multiple options for a complex look that will add design-forward flair to your home. The combination of shades and curtains will frame any set of windows in a carefully-curated way. A good place to try this approach is right in the dining room alongside a table and chairs. With bamboo shades and floor length plaid curtains, this layered look takes the idea of a classic statement wall to the next level.

Safety meets style in this room featuring vibrant, sunshine yellow shades. Cordless Roman shades are ideal options for kids’ spaces and nurseries alike because they are safe alternatives to traditional blinds or embellished drapery. The best part? Roman shades' crisp, tailored design magically creates an illusion of order and tidiness amid the unrelenting chaos of a toy-strewn playroom.

Let softness and sunlight lead the way when selecting window treatments for your kiddos’ playroom. Keep the space feeling energized and bright by opting for delicate, sheer white curtains that invite light into the room. Elevate a set of standard, low-cost curtains with custom, whimsical accents. We love how thesewhite pom-pom trim pairs with the minimalist panels in this pretty, white playroom.

Darling much? Café curtains are typically used in kitchen designs, but we think they make pretty charming window treatments for bathrooms, too. The half-curtain concept is unique in that it offers the homeowners privacy when the panels are pulled closed without sacrificing sunlight in the process.

Count yourself lucky if your master suite features a pair of pretty bed-framing windows. This dreamy bedroom boasts twin windows that wear a single, matching drapery panel each. The key to recreating this sophisticated design is to gather the single panel on the side of the rod that is furthest from the bedframe. Not only does this technique look high-end, but it visually expands the space, creates an illusion of grander windows and effectively anchors the room with a feeling of security and style.

Curtained-off storage areas don’t typically qualify as the visual highlight of a design. That said, this design and this curtained-off moment are anything but typical. If your space features a dramatic drape feature (like a closet, canopy bed or hidden homework station), keep your actual window treatments to a minimum. The window in this bedroom has the right idea, dressed in a sweet-but-simple Roman shade that takes a back seat to the chic, scalloped homework station.

Even the smallest rooms of the home deserve some love when it comes to decorating. While the laundry room or mudroom may be synonymous with chores, adding some decorative flair will help turn these sometimes-dreaded spots into ones that feel a bit more enjoyable. Grab some understated options in an unexpected hue and hang them up in these tiny spaces. When not in use, the shades will still make these utility spaces feel more complete.

Prepare your patio for endless hours of outdoor entertainment by adding long, flowing curtain panels along its perimeter. Opt for crisp and classic white panels in a sheer, weather-friendly fabric to create a retreat-worthy display that brings height and happiness to your outdoor space.

Keep your kitchen feeling fresh and looking bright by using simple, sheer linen curtain panels above your sink. We adore the softness that linen adds to a design, and we especially love the way that the sheer fabric allows natural light to stream into the room throughout the day.

Anchor an elegant, outdoor living space that feels like a true extension of the home by hanging weighty, all-weather panels along the perimeter of your covered patio. The wrap-around panels offer stylish privacy from neighbors and a reprieve from the steamy, summer sun.

Wake up to a bedroom fit for royalty by dressing your windows with pretty pelmets — narrow strips of wood fastened above windows and doors that have been concealing curtain-tops since the Renaissance — and sheer panels that let in loads of sunlight and just barely dust the floor. This curtain combination marries structure with softness for a space that’s instantly elevated to designer-status.

Don’t commit to costly curtains when tackling decor for tween girls. Trust us, regardless of your investment and eye for design, your mini fashionistas will (claim) to hate whatever you (they) choose after about six months' time. Our solution? Select a set of simple, budget-friendly panels. Use one panel per window and gather them into an hourglass shape for a youthful look. Is your tween itching for some fancy embellishment? Make a crafternoon out of it and work together to create a pretty, pom-pom trim for each panel.

Glass-paned front doors create killer curb appeal and allow loads of sunlight to shine into your foyer throughout the day. Their downside? Your neighbors can watch your life unfold from the street after dark. Our advice is to frame your front door with weighty, drapes. We’re big fans of this technique because the drapes work overtime by filling that awkward, empty space around the door and providing you the privacy necessary to keep the Joneses at bay.

Make the most of wall-to-wall windows in your bedroom by skipping traditional drapes and opting for natural bamboo roller shades instead. Doing so allows you to embrace the maximum amount of sunlight available to your space. Bonus: Going minimalist with your window treatments allows you to get away with going ultra-dramatic elsewhere in the design. A dream canopy bed, perhaps?

We wouldn’t recommend using long, luxurious drapes in a bathroom shared with pets or kids, but for a spa bathroom meant for neat and tidy adults? Yes, yes and yes. Frame the statement-making soaking tub with rich, pleated curtain panels. Doing so draws focus to the focal point of your bathroom, creates a grandness in the space and offers complete privacy for late-night dips.

Celebrate bay windows with stunning window treatments. This cozy, contemporary living space highlights its striking bay windows by framing the view with a pair of opulent, patterned drapery panels. The panels are hung from the ceiling and feature tailored pleats that give a full appearance, even when they are drawn across all three windows. Crisp, white shades polish off the design by adding dimension and inviting sunlight into the space during the day.

Fool friends into thinking you hired a top-notch interior designer by recreating this charming and kid-friendly window treatment at home. Get the look for your breakfast nook by using light, linen Roman shades and a colorful, structured cornice along the top. The Roman shades are must-haves for busy moms and dads because they let in sunlight to energize you throughout the day and are easy to roll up and out of the way of kiddos’ sticky, little fingers.

Looking for window treatments that scream “custom” without appearing fussy? Skip safe, neutral hues and opt for vibrant, patterned panels that are hung by simple, ring hooks. This cool cobalt and orange sitting room achieves a custom-yet-casual design with weighty and playful, polka-dotted panels that pair seamlessly with the striped, blue accent pillows.

Use this cozy and creamy living space as your muse when selecting curtains for an especially sunny sitting room or four-season porches. Sheer, white curtains are great options, as they will add a calming, ethereal feeling to your space by diffusing the natural light that streams through the windows.

This fantastic casita’s design was inspired by its owners’ love of European royals’ style, and its most spectacular feature is its Victorian-style balloon shades, a voluptuous look that first gained popularity when ankles were covered and flamboyance fell to home furnishings. Their baroque Pierre Frey fabric (based on scenes by the 18th-century painter François Boucher) are absolutely budget-busting, but they’re also an awfully charming way to remind guests of strolls through historic art museums. Can your gingham drapes do that?

Don’t let unique windows features frighten you, friends. Highlight your grand arches or charming oxeyes by hanging heavy, luxurious drapes as high on the wall as possible. In doing so, you will draw the eye to the striking window feature and immediately create a sense of height and grandeur to the space.

While natural light and some airy breezes are always welcome, even in the bathroom, it can be challenging to ensure you still have the right amount of privacy. Rather than putting up dark, opaque curtains that will only make your space feel smaller, opt for a natural choice that will add balance to the space. Grass cloth or bamboo shades will get the job done seamlessly.

Pigmented panels and shades have the superpower to take a regular, old closet from bland to bam in the matter of minutes. Case in point? These funky, fuschia drapes and hot pink roller shade serve as the fashion-forward focal point in this otherwise white-on-white craft and laundry room.

Your bedroom should be the most serene spot in your home, and your window treatments can play an integral part in creating a dreamy oasis. While contrasts and bold colors have their place, a sheer curtain adds undeniably romantic vibes to any set of windows. The soft curtains can also filter the natural daylight to perfection for afternoons spent lounging in bed. If you want your room to appear even more swoon-worthy, grab curtains that go from floor to ceiling rather than ones that mirror the exact measurements of your windows. This dramatic approach will instantly make your space feel bigger.