How to play up their curves with fabric
Arched window drapery ideas depend on your privacy needs and style, with full coverage for bedrooms or partial coverage to highlight the arch.
Custom curtains cost $250 to $1,500 per panel, so you get perfectly sized treatments that coordinate with your décor and fit irregular windows.
Measure your arched windows carefully and create a paper template to share exact dimensions with a custom drapery shop for accurate sizing and hems.
Hiring a local interior design professional provides expert guidance on curtain rod selection and placement, helping you enhance your arched windows with confidence.
Arched windows add height, elegance, and sunlight to rooms. Since they’re such a decorative draw, you’ll want to accent them with curtains that complement your space. But due to their unique shape, you may be perplexed on how to properly hang curtains on your arched windows. Read on for tips on choosing and installing window treatments to play up their shape and elevate your living space.
First, you or your interior decorator should settle on a hanging strategy and the best window treatment for tall windows. Here are some ideas:
Ideal for bedrooms, this method completely covers the windows, providing maximum privacy and sun protection. You or your curtain installer will need to mount the curtain rod just below the ceiling, letting the full-length curtains reach the floor. Arrange the curtains at the far ends of the windows.
This approach leaves your beautiful arched window tops uncovered. It provides privacy while also letting in natural light and flaunting the unique beauty of the arch. To do this, you can place the rod roughly 1/8 inch above where the straight side of the window meets the curved section (so roughly halfway down the window). It’s best to buy half-length curtains if you choose this method.
When you want to hang swag-style curtains, opt for this method. Ideal with several windows in a row, it involves hanging the curtains evenly or asymmetrically across the windows. For each window, you’ll need one short rod (mounted right above each window), two long curtains, and some rosettes. You’ll position the curtains at the center top of each window, securing each curtain on the sides where the bottom of the arch forms a corner. For ornamentation, you can add rosettes on either side.
Keep the following tips in mind when buying window treatments.
Since arched windows are often irregular in size and you’ll want all the window treatments in the room to coordinate, consider splurging on custom curtains (expect to spend $250 to $1,500 per panel). Not only will they fit your windows perfectly—they’ll also match your décor.
For the right sizing, measure each window. Then determine the length and width measurements of the fabric panels, adding in extra for hems and folds. When deciding how long you’d like your curtains to be, you should generally aim for them to fall to the sill, four inches below the sill, or the floor.
To make sure your measurements are accurate, consider making a paper template. Then relate the specs to the custom drapery shop as the required dimensions, letting them know that you’ve included these allowances.
To highlight the curve of arched windows, think about valence curtains to cover their tops. For drama, choose valances with a scalloped bottom and an intricate pattern. For privacy, you can place translucent curtain panels across the lower parts of your windows.
Whether you buy or make a DIY curtain rod, you’ll need to choose between straight and curved. Keep in mind the rod should be slightly wider than your windows. You can DIY an arched curtain rod with a clear plastic pipe plus finials that screw onto the pipe ends If you opt for a curved rod, you’ll need curtain rings to lock the window treatments in place (standard rings would slide to the ends). You’ll also need to pull back curtains with tie backs. Either way, consider a rod with a decorative centerpiece, like a carved crest, to draw your eyes upward and further enhance the height of the windows and space.
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