You may not think much about what’s covering your windows until the blaring sun wakes you up in the morning. After that, you’ll never forget about them again.
Curtains , roller shades, and more not only help you get more shut-eye, but can also add some flair to any room. For example, faux silk or velvet panels that pool on the floor can come off glam and posh, while a simple bamboo roller shade feels boho or coastal. Below, 28 ideas to consider when it comes time dress up your windows, whether you buy your treatments or go the DIY route .
1. 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 .
2. 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.
3. 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 .
4. Curtains for Multiple Windows
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.
5. Roman Shades
Wide Roman shades are the ideal solution for covering up your windows when you might be dealing with awkward lengths due to low storage. 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.
6. 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 ).
7. Bamboo Roman Shades
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.
8. Emerald Curtains
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).
9. Draped
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.
10. 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.
11. Spaced Out Sheers
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.
12. 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 home ) so you’re not dealing with any weird gapes.
13. Six Roman 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!).
14. 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. Sarah’s shades are pretty sheer, but rest assured there are many, many options out there.
15. 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 the 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).
16. 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 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.
17. Small Roman Shades
Not to sound like a broken record but…Roman shades (again, sorry!). Here , they 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.
18. 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.
19. 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 Caroline home : match the color of your drapes to your wall so they blend in seamlessly. This works particularly well in white and cream rooms.
20. Two-tone
A similar approach but with a bit more contrast: Curtains like these 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.
21. Dip-died
Stash this away as a fun DIY to do one weekend: Dip died curtains look fresh, boho-inspired and add an element of the unexpected to a room.
22. 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.
23. Printed Curtains
It’s not always ideal to put a key piece of furniture (like this piano ) up against a large window, but if you have to do it, a nice way to frame it out is with curtain panels.
24. 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.
25. Ceiling-height
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 , the curtains serve the function of providing privacy more so than adding substantial style to the room.
26. Bamboo Shades + Sheers
Here’s a layered look that works great in a bedroom : layered roller bamboo shade + sheer(ish) panels.
27. Light 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!).
28. Perfectly Placed
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 these.
Additional reporting by Carolin Lehmann
