Whatever you may think about window treatments, curtains certainly have the power to make or break a room's appearance.

There are numerous window treatment ideas available for you. Curtains are among the most effective decorative elements a room can have, while serving an important, practical function of filtering out noise and light, and allowing privacy.

 

Serving both decorative and practical functions, window dressings create a barrier between the inside cocoon of your home and the outside world. They screen you from strong light during the day and are snugly drawn at night. Furthermore, window treatments provide privacy from prying eyes.

Much like a stand-out painting, window treatment ideas can add character and vitality to an interior's layout or can be a calm counterfoil to a dramatic interior scheme.

So, why spend money on stunning paint colors and first-rate furniture if you're going to cut corners on window treatments? They’re the finishing touch to your interior design –the final piece that pulls the place together. Drapes not only complete a room, but they can also magically transform an interior, whether it's drawing the eyes across a room, creating the impression of a higher ceiling, or framing views to a lovely panorama right outside.

Designer Gail Davis says this of curtains' space-enhancing powers, “It’s just like putting mascara on the eyelashes.”

No matter your taste, we hope that these top pick curtain ideas from 55 CURTAIN DESIGNS TO INSPIRE YOUR NEXT HOME MAKEOVER would inspire you to dress your windows:

(Visit here for the complete image gallery of window treatments.)

1. TINY CHECKS

2. BEAUTIFULLY PATTERNED ROMAN SHADES

3. GEOMETRIC, FLOOR-GRAZING DRAPES

5. TOUCH OF THE TROPICS

6. BOHO BORDER

7. PATTERNS ALL-OVER

8. STRIPES GALORE

9. FLIPPED PRINTS

10. FARMHOUSE SWEETNESS

11. RICH BOTANICAL PRINTS

12. OPULENT FLORALS

13. REGAL ROMAN

14. MULTICOLORED VALENCE

15. PATTERN ON PATTERN

16. HORIZONTAL STRIPES

17. MIX BLINDS & CURTAINS

18. BLOCK OF RED

19. BLUE TRIM

20. DEEP BLUE ON BLUE WALLS

21. FRUIT-INSPIRED

22. ALMOST MATCHING PATTERNS

23. STORMY SHADES

24. BLUE-AND-CREAM PATTERNS

25. ACCENT STRIPES

26. BLUE STANDOUT: FEATURE CURTAIN

27. BRIGHTEN WITH RED STRIPED

28. QUADRILLE FABRIC

29. LINEN WITH A PATTERN

30. PLAID CURTAINS ON STRIPED WALLPAPER

 

See more inspirations from 45 Window Treatment Ideas That'll Make Your View Even Better.

 

Rules to consider for window treatment ideas

There are rules to follow so you can achieve the best window dressing ideas. These will address specific issues such as ceiling height, color and pattern, and this big question: do you let them drape?

Go ahead and make your space feel fabulous with these tips:

1. Choose a decorative Roman blind to add color & pattern

Choose fabrics that reflect and echo your soft furnishings - on your window seats and beyond - to add a decorative touch to your windows. It's also vital to determine whether the blind's style is appropriate for the window and whether the design's dimension complements the other fabrics in your space. For instance, if you're using a plain fabric, define it with a contrasting trim.

2. Team a patterned blind with wallpaper

Irene Gunter, founder of global interior designer studio Gunter & Co. said, "When you already have a patterned wallpaper, choosing a subtle fabric in a mix of soft colors that match tonally is a good way to embrace the maximalist trend in your home in a way that is a little less overwhelming." She adds that using blackout lining is a great idea as it ensures that the fabric doesn't appear too yellow, which can happen when light comes through.

3. Opt for a feature length curtain

Floor-to-ceiling drapes can add height to a room, and a modern technique is to hide the track in the ceiling cavity.

4. Pick a roller blind that’s picture perfect

Find window treatment ideas that are as beautiful as the actual view behind them. Managing director of Surface View, Michael Ayerst says, "Artwork can bring drama, beauty and a little fun to windows with roller blinds that are unlike anything you will have seen before." This type of window treatment helps to create an inspiring home office space at any time of the day!

5. Create a luxe look by going door to door

Window treatment ideas will differ depending on the room, but they're all designed to provide various levels of privacy, soundproofing, shade, and warmth. Wall-to-wall curtains not only help block out sound and light when the room is occupied, but by using heavy floor-to-ceiling fabric, the curtains help block out any unwelcome drafts. When the curtains are drawn, it creates a cozy atmosphere in the room.

6. Create the illusion of ceiling height

One of the most common problems with dressing windows is low ceilings. We aren't all fortunate to have gorgeous high-ceilinged rooms, therefore, tricks must be used to achieve the illusion of height.

Henry Prideaux, a London-based interior designer, explains: "A trick that good designers often use, if a window is low in proportion to the ceiling height, is to position fittings as high as possible so that curtain ideas are hung above the top of the window frame to draw the eye upwards --making the room feel taller and the overall effect more dramatic. In a similar way, Roman blinds don’t necessarily have to sit immediately on top of the window. They can be fitted slightly higher and then pulled down to conceal any expanse of bare wall above the window to make the elevation appear taller allowing the window treatment to be more appropriate within the rest of the room."

7. Correct uneven proportions with window dressings

This is potentially more of a problem in older properties, but still a tricky issue. Emma Derterding, founder and creative director of Kelling Designs shares her solution: "If you have windows at various heights within the same room, then I'd always utilize these to give the illusion space. For the higher window, take your curtains right to the ceiling as this will make the room feel taller and make the most of the ceiling height. For lower windows, fit the curtain rail to above the window leaving the wall above exposed as this will help balance the space and give a sense of grandeur."

8. Use curtains as a decorative backdrop

Patterned curtains can be used to make a design statement, almost as a backdrop to the rest of your theme --which works especially well if the fabric is relatively thin and light can seep through.

Emily Mould, Design Director at Romo and Black Edition, advises that, "Creating a maximalist statement has evolved to become much more considered, moving away from the pattern clash of the past. Choose a hero pattern and introduce color, print and texture around it, allowing the design to take center stage whilst layers of print and color add depth and textural touches to make a harmonious interior."

9. Tackle a corner window cleverly

If you have a beautiful corner window, dressing it correctly is vital to maintaining the character and light of the space --which may be especially important if you're exploring cottage curtain ideas, which usually have to address difficult spaces.

Harry Cole, founder of Loom & Last, gives this advice on difficult window treatments: "Corner windows offer a great source of light, but it can be a daunting decorating decision when dressing them. Simplify the design process by treating each window as a single unit and hang each pair of curtains on separate rods. To ensure unity within the space, position the rods at the same height to create an L shape, but remember to allow enough room between the brackets."

Get other tips on your window treatments from 2022 Curtain & Drapery Trends for Your Home.

10. Work with the room proportions you have

Jenna and Mariana from London-based Interior Fox explain: "Opt for floor to ceiling curtains, ensuring there are no gaps. This look adds height to a room, while keeping a clean and simple aesthetic. And attention to detail goes a long way."

They added, "Gone are the days of shorter curtains, they feel dated and can make a window feel small and boxed in. Instead create a cohesive look by complementing the curtains with the wall color."

11. Choose a bold layered look with curtains & wallpaper

Curious to try bold and beautiful window treatment ideas? The trick here is to keep the color density constant. Using a side table to take center stage will break up the pattern.

12. Create another dimension with a layered feel

Interior designer, Natalia Miyar, says: "Floor length curtains create warmth and layers of texture in a sitting room or bedroom. If the room has strong statement furniture, I choose a soft, textured fabric or multi-toned curtains to subtly add another dimension to the space."

13. Merge indoors & outdoors with botanical prints

A curtain with lush foliage will mirror the greenery outdoors. Draw the eye through the space with a piece of furniture when considering window treatment ideas.

14. Layer with a valance to create a statement

In a period structure, we can replicate window dressings using the character of the original features and inspiration of the past. Interior decorator, Carlos Garcia of Carlos Garcia Interiors, shares what he did: "I chose a valance to give softness, warmth and a touch of understated opulence to the room. The loosely hand gathered heading adds informality too and suits the beautiful Robert Kime floral linen.’

15. Create a cohesive feel with matched patterns

"Almost any fabric can become a blind and, as with curtains, we recommend the use of beautiful linings. Blackout should be a consideration depending on the room and interlining material for an elegant finish," says Warner House director, Emma Clarke.

Adding tape (or bullion trims) to the bottom edge brings attention and adds character to your design. Layer drapes and blinds for more warmth and depth.

16. Choose the right fabric & drape

"I always think of window dressing as the final finishing touch to your room. The color is important, but for me the fabric and drape is at the top of my curtain list to get right. My first rule of curtains is that they should be long to the floor and in the case of 100% linen curtains, even longer. ...If you need to keep the light out completely, a blind behind the linen will do this job and leave your room looking light and airy as and when you want it," explains Molly Freshwater, Creative Director at Secret Linen Store.

17. Coordinate curtains with upholstery

Using artistic fabrics over upholstery and curtains is an excellent way to add pattern, color and personality to a bedroom. Covering the bed frame and headboard in the same pattern as the curtains will not only make a lovely statement, but will also help create a coherent, unified effect.

However, if you're thinking about doing this, the trick is to incorporate additional, subtler textiles throughout the space to soften the bold print, according to experts.

To learn about the importance of window treatments, read 8 Best Window Treatment Ideas for Your Home Interior Design

Are you pumped to dress your windows for a fresh makeover? Jarvis Interiors will help you dress your windows for success!

If you wish to create an eye-catching focal point in your favorite room, check out our article 8 Trending 3D Wall Art Ideas for Your Home Interiors in 2022.

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Window treatment ideas – 30 ways with curtains, blinds and shutters for every room