Do's + Don'ts of Designer-Worthy Window Treatments

Styling your windows doesn't have to be a pane. Follow these tips to get the most out of your living room's window treatments.

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December 01, 2020

By: Chelsea Faulkner and Lauren Oster

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DO: Hang Curtains High and Wide

Make your space look bigger and more luxurious by hanging drapes at least 12 inches above the window frame or all the way to the ceiling. Also try extending your curtain rod out 3 to 6 inches on each side for maximum effect.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

DON'T: Hang Them Right Above the Window

Drapes that rest right above the frame stunt the window and let in less light, which can give the entire space a crowded look. Keep in mind that, when open, your curtains shouldn't fall more than 2 inches inside the frame on each side.

DO: Layer Window Treatments

Designer windows almost always sport at least two window treatments — whether it be a matchstick shade framed by drapes, wood blinds paired with a pretty Roman shade or louvered shutters topped with a chic valance. Not only does this rule find its roots in functionality (more window treatments, better insulation), but it boosts style, turning the window into a design focal point. Imagine the window above without the yellow drapes. Boring, right?

DON'T: Go Overboard

Too much of anything is usually a bad thing, and window treatments are no exception. The more fabric you put on a window, the less light will shine through and the smaller your space will look. Try a few different layering styles before you commit.

DO: Take Curtains to the Floor

A common mistake novice decorators make is purchasing store-bought curtains without first measuring the height of the wall. For a tailored look, drapes should puddle slightly, kiss the floor or hover a half-inch above. The same goes for cafe curtains in a windowsill.

From: Jessica McClendon

DON'T: Stop at the Windowsill

High waters weren't cool in high school and they definitely aren't cool in your living room. Imagine the window above dressed with floor-length curtains hung high and wide. It would totally transform the look of the space.

DO: Opt for Wide Slat Blinds or Shutters

A good window treatment adds style, but a great window treatment becomes part of your home's architecture. When choosing blinds or indoor shutters, splurge for wood or faux wood varieties with wide slats. These upscale treatments may cost more up front, but they can actually increase the value of your home in the long run.

From: Liz Carroll

DON'T: Skimp Out on Good Blinds

This kitten might look cute now, but cuteness doesn't cover the cost of new blinds. Plastic blinds break and discolor easily, and they detract from the overall attractiveness of your space.

DO: Consider Curb Appeal

Window treatments are visible from the inside and out, like these contemporary blinds, and a canny choice will enhance the home’s exterior color scheme and architecture.

DON'T: Forget a Neutral Liner

Much can be said about ill-advised choices in this room, but for the purposes of our discussion, let’s focus on the unbacked red curtains. Unless this home boasts an equally vivid exterior, the swath of color visible from outside will stick out like a sore thumb.

DO: Play With Patterns

Complementary designs with similar scale and tone, like the oversized damask on this Roman shade and the hand-painted floral wallpaper surrounding it, support each other beautifully. Though these are both traditional prints, their cumulative effect is thoroughly contemporary.

From: James Farmer

DON'T: Overcomplicate Your Concept

Color blocking can work with curtains, but the mismatched “pair” ostensibly echoing the abstract painting here are just plain weird. As a general rule, avant-garde ideas are better expressed in coffee table books than in dining room window treatments.

DO: Make the Most of Natural Light

Capitalizing on Mother Nature’s most celebrated energy source reduces household bills, changes the look of your space throughout the day and can even influence the mood of your rooms. A well-chosen treatment, like these translucent rolling shades, makes the most of those perks.

From: Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects

DON'T: Neglect Privacy

Unless you’re a massive Rear Window fan, it’s unlikely that you’re interested in broadcasting your activities to your neighbors. Keep in mind that the breezy sheers gently filtering light for the first half of the day can leave you (and your home) feeling bare once the sun goes down.

DO: Create an Unexpected Moment

In a balanced, eclectic space, the graphic pattern selected for these drapes functions like a well-chosen piece of art. The key in adding an unexpected element like this is to play by the rules in other aspects of your design: in placement, proportion and execution, this ‘unexpected’ element is quite traditional.

From: Alice Cramer

DON'T: Settle for 'Outdated But Okay'

Clinging to the hope that awkward and easily damaged vertical blinds like these will experience a retro resurgence one day is a mindset that can only end in heartbreak. Moreover, accepting an obsolete window treatment for the sake of saving money isn’t really saving at all, since furnishings you do love will appear less attractive in the company of cheap blinds.

Do: Experiment With Trim

Thoughtful additions, like solid edging on patterned Roman shades, can make a handsome treatment look downright gorgeous.

DON'T: Embellish for Embellishment's Sake

While a treatment like this tailored tape trim could be effective in a crisp, monochromatic kitchen, it does this space no favors.

DO: Use Different Treatments in Each Room

Your home tells a story and every room represents a unique piece of that story. You wouldn't put a bed in the kitchen, so why would you put cafe curtains in the bedroom?

From: Blackband Design

DON'T: Assume One Size Fits All

While the rules mentioned above are good to keep in mind when dressing most windows, they aren't hard and fast. Trust your instinct when styling small or tricky spots and remember that a window treatment is meant to treat light, noise or temperature based on the needs of your space.

From: Heidi Caillier