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Simple, stylish window dressing ideas to suit any home
Roman blinds, sheers, floor-length curtains? We have the inspiration you need to make the right choice
Windows are one of the most important focal points in any room. Make sure yours are well dressed. Every space has its own unique requirements, but it's about finding the right option to perfectly frame a view. Roman blinds are ideal for small spaces, while floor-length curtains can add instant drama. To help you decide, we have inspiring ideas that will improve the outlook of any home…
Layer textiles and patterns
If using a voile (a lighter curtain that offers protection from the sun during the day) with a curtain, consider keeping the pattern on both the same for consistency. Here, discs of muslin have been applied to voile and velvet discs have been added to the thicker wool curtain in front. Voile curtain with bespoke design, £2,700; wool and velvet curtain with bespoke design, £4,440, nestdesign.co.uk
Reveal more of the view with curtain tracks
For bay or round windows, as pictured here, where the focus is all about the view, a curtain track offers an elegant, minimalist look. Curtains need to have a pencil pleat, pinch pleat or wave header, and are attached to the track with gliding hooks. The track can be fixed to the ceiling or wall, depending on the position of the window. For a restful night’s sleep, blackout curtains are a good option too. For similar, try ‘Estella Alpine’ blackouts, from £84 per metre, Villa Nova (villanova.co.uk); and PVC uncorded curtain tracks, from £13 each, John Lewis & Partners
Team blinds with shutters
Contrast gauzy, natural linen blinds with solid wooden shutters that block out the light. Stylishly simple, the custom-made Roman blinds fold up into soft pleats making them a good space-saving solution, while the unobtrusive shutters blend in seamlessly with the white walls. Linen Roman blinds, from approx £226 per metre, By Mölle
Keep things sheer but interesting
A simple solution for creating interest at a window is to add subtle geometric embroidered patterns to a linen sheer (the sharp lines act as a foil to the loose silhouette of the fabric). Here, a machine-stitched French seam creates a patchwork effect. ‘Pennant Jasper White’ linen sheer, £95 per metre, Mark Alexander
Add drama with extra colour
Draw the eye up and make a feature out of a brightly coloured metal curtain pole and matching clips. This one from Kvadrat is ready made with 16 different textiles to choose from, as well as a hanging mechanism and pegs in four shades to mix and match. You could make your own too. For custom colour-matched curtain poles, try McKinney & Co Satin-woven 'Noon' fabric by Patricia Urquiola (pictured), £58 per metre, Kvadrat
Choose a modern roller blind
A roller blind is a simple way to set the mood in an open-plan living and dining area. For difficult-to-reach spaces, you can even install a motorised version that can be operated remotely. Try ‘Duette’ blinds, from £504 (includes measuring and fitting), Thomas Sanderson
Pair curtains and sheers
Delicate sheer blinds – which don’t detract fully from the frames behind – make a good pairing with heavy curtains in a similar tone. The extra layer, too, is ideal for preventing draughts as well as allowing more control of light flow. For similar, try made-to-measure roller blinds, from £122, and curtains, from £310, Stitched
This article appeared in ELLE Decoration July 2020
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