We’re again with the final installment of what Jess cleverly coined “Curtain Name” (she’s a punny queen, that one). The remaining Curtain Name, if you’ll. As I promised in my unique submit—learn that right here for context and a few useful curtain guidelines I laid out—as we speak’s journey includes window obstructions. We’re speaking A/C items, random pipes, radiators, and ceiling slopes.

I’m the primary individual to inform anybody who asks me that plenty of instances, curtain coverings are a private type alternative. In case you like one thing dreamy and dramatic, go along with full-length drapes. Need one thing fashionable and crisp? Go for a shade or Roman shade. Considering one thing conventional and stately? Plantation shutters is likely to be simply the factor. The gist: Go along with what you want (after which observe the foundations—like these—for every). BUT! Generally, you don’t actually have a lot of a alternative. Or fairly, there’s a *proper* and (sort of) *mistaken* solution to go about dressing a window. Not less than in the event you’re coping with some tough, sticky architectural particulars and want for peak perform meets type.

If I’m being upfront, two of those reader submissions actually stumped me for a bit. Are there perhaps another methods to resolve the issues offered? Yeah, certain! And be at liberty to share these concepts within the feedback beneath. However I do strongly consider that the options I’ve supplied would work and look fairly good, contemplating the restrictions, and that’s a win for me. 🙂

At this level in a majority of these posts, I usually share some inspiration images that immediately relate to what I’m going to speak about, however as these are pretty particular conditions, I don’t have these as we speak. Will you forgive me? We will all use our imaginations, sure? (And for these asking themselves whereas they learn this why we wouldn’t simply Photoshop the ideas over the images as I did on this submit about filling a clean wall, it’s as a result of I attempted and it was…not nice. My abilities solely take me to date, as does AI.) Why don’t we skip to the good things?

Cumbersome, Funky & Barn-Like

From the reader: “I might love some assist! The wooden blinds I’ve now give it a looking cabin look. Challenges are the quite a few issues blocking the home windows – radiators proper beneath, a bizarre wall AC unit that’s been positioned within the window. They’re all south and west going through so I would like to dam visibility at evening however let in sufficient daylight through the quick winter days.”

OKAY! So, I’ll confess…that A/C unit above the window gave me appreciable pause. After taking down all of the wood mini blinds (I’ve little doubt these have been in all probability costly and customized for these home windows, so perhaps strive promoting or gifting away within the state of affairs the place they could work for another person’s residence), what might this home-owner do? The window by the radiator was pretty straightforward to kind out (shades!), however that funky backside window…hmmm. At first, I puzzled what it would appear like to simply do some cafe curtain there. However after I made a decision the entire room might use the softness and brightness of material panels, I concluded {that a} cafe curtain underneath full-length curtains was a bit weird.

Then I chewed on the concept of doing a small shade there (each Roman and pull-down/photo voltaic), however that additionally was simply one thing my mind couldn’t materialize a photograph of, making me suppose it was additionally a bit weird. It might work, perhaps, however it might at all times be sort of unusual. Then I believed, properly…why do we have to cowl that portion anyway if I’m suggesting including curtain panels? Possibly some privateness movie for a bit of sunshine filtering and privateness through the day would do the trick. Sure! Positive! That’s it!

However then…foolish ol’ me forgot that somebody would possibly wish to run an A/C unit at evening, when the shades can be closed on the opposite home windows, and I went proper again to the final concept of getting a shade there. Frankly, I nonetheless don’t love that choice, however I believe this reader can mess around with just a few issues. I’d begin with including panels, then including privateness movie (perhaps a frosted or reeded end so nobody might make out what was taking place inside at evening, versus a transparent movie that displays again daylight however doesn’t do a lot after sundown). If that feels too uncovered on that one window, then I’d counsel including a shade to match what was placed on the opposite home windows.

Now that that problem is solved, I beneficial inside-mounted Roman shades for all the opposite home windows to accommodate the radiator that appears to have a shelf that hits above the baseline of the window molding. Exterior mounted shades would assist to masks a number of the “cabin-like” vibes we’re getting from the brown wooden, nevertheless it wouldn’t look ideally suited to have the sill uncovered on one aspect of the room and never the opposite. As for curtains, it’s arduous to get a way of favor or colours on this residence/room to confidently suggest one thing, however I might counsel one thing in a coloration or delicate sample to inch up the ornamental styling. So long as they’re hung at the least midway between the highest of the window and the crown molding, it’ll add some good drama to the room and make the smaller home windows really feel extra grand. OH, and you will have observed I mentioned so as to add curtains to the window with the radiator. That is simply to match the load of the aspect of the room with the TV. These gained’t have the ability to shut across the radiator, to allow them to simply sit off to the aspect of the entire financial institution of home windows.

Window Procuring:

Chambray Blue Roman Shade | Blue & Beige Patterned Curtains | Natural Cotton Roman Shade

As I point out in just a few of those, I didn’t have a lot to go off for type or coloration palettes so I saved it impartial and color-friendly with a lightweight, denim-y blue Roman or a smooth white Roman. As for the material, since there can be a handful of them, I wished one thing mild and never too heavy however with a little bit impression. I discovered these nice linen-like SUPER reasonably priced panels (critically, underneath $50 for a set of two 96-inch size) with a enjoyable sample that can deliver some curiosity to the pretty impartial room. They’d work both with the blue shade or the cream, I believe.

Scorching Radiator, Cool Window Coverings

From the reader: “I moved this previous fall, and my bed room remains to be a serious work in progress. One in every of my unsolved issues: my window coverings. My two main concerns: 1. Price range — I moved with subsequent to nothing in the way in which of furnishings and decor, so it’s been a spendy few months attempting to fill the area. I’m not seeking to splurge on curtains. 2. Blackout — my condominium constructing has alley lights that keep on 24/7 immediately outdoors my window, so I’m searching for one thing to dam that out. Blackout curtains seem to be the best choice, however I’ve a radiator immediately in entrance of my window, so I can’t get floor-length curtains. (The curtain rod is left over from the earlier proprietor.)”

We’ve bought ourselves one other radiator right here, however this time, it’s off-center to a window that’s almost flush to the nook. Difficult, tough, my associates. As a lot as I’d like to say “add draperies!” to make this main bed room really feel bigger and in charge-r, that’s simply not going to work for this setup. However that’s okay, as a result of it could actually nonetheless find yourself feeling pretty, practical, and exquisite. My resolution? Shock, shock…a Roman shade with a blackout lining for the reason that reader wants to dam the alley mild. To make the window really feel maybe extra stately, I like to recommend one large shade hung at the least six inches above the window body. This trick does the identical factor as hanging draperies tall and large: makes the window look larger and ceilings really feel taller. As this requires an out of doors mount, actually, I’d simply go away the mini blinds for extra mild management contemplating this reader wished to maintain the finances minimal (in any other case, I’d suggest blackout pull-down shades).

And whereas this can be a submit about window therapies, I simply wish to counsel balancing the location of the window within the room with some artwork items and even a big flooring mirror to the left to fill that white area.

Window Procuring:

Navy Room Darkening Cordless Roman Shade | White Blackout Cordless Roman Shade | Bamboo Blackout Curler Shade

I saved issues fairly simple right here, because it sounds just like the reader is barely simply starting her adorning journey within the area. The partitions appear much like a fleshy putty, sort of just like the partitions on my previous bed room which I do know labored nice with blue, white and heat earth tones. These are three reasonably priced choices for blackout Roman shades that I believe might look nice in her area, relying on what route she takes her type. The bamboo curler is by far the bottom worth however doesn’t work as seamlessly as a cordless raise shade, in fact. Both means, one in every of these will deliver softness (and lightweight blocking) to her bed room.

A Not-Too-Younger But Playful Playroom Resolution

From the reader: “That is the bonus room above our storage, although our home is small so we do plenty of residing in right here. We use it for a playroom for my twin 7-year-olds, in addition to a spot for the entire household to look at TV and a really occasional visitor room when we’ve plenty of visitors over. There are two giant home windows and I’d wish to eliminate the blinds and have one thing that appears a little bit nicer and ties collectively the room. I’m challenged by the sloping ceiling by one window which may restrict curtain rods. Neighbors just lately constructed a brand new home on the beforehand vacant lot to the aspect of our residence, so we’re needing privateness, but additionally one thing that may simply let mild in (or simply be opened). Because it’s a playroom, I would like one thing enjoyable and secure, however for the reason that entire household makes use of it, it could actually’t be too infantile.” 

Whew! A simple one, fortunately. The second I noticed this area, I knew the all-mighty Roman shade can be our hero. There isn’t a lot else this reader can do for the window on the left contemplating the angles of the ceiling. Hanging a curtain rod is a idiot’s errand and can look dinky. I counsel doing an out of doors mount for a contact extra visible drama, but additionally as a result of I believe a pull-down photo voltaic shade mounted on the within, rather than the mini blinds, would give the reader the privateness *and* light-filtering they’re after. For the cleanest look, do every shade as large as each home windows collectively in the identical framing.

Window Procuring:

Blockprint Customized Roman Shade | Grey Gingham Roman Shade | Striped Roman Shade

This reader talked about wanting this room’s window coverings to be enjoyable, secure, and never too kid-like. Any florals or shapes or patterns I discovered began feeling too heavy-handed, so I figured, you understand…let’s keep on with some classics right here. Stripes, gingham, blockprint (and all cordless, as properly, as a result of…child security). They’ve bought some blues, grays, and burgundy taking place within the picture which I believe would work nice with the gingham and striped shades, and for some coloration palette enlargement, this muted inexperienced leaf print would possibly simply additionally work properly.

A/C Unit & Pipe: Meet Your Match

From the reader: “My problem is that is the one window in my condominium and my bed room is on the opposite aspect of the open space on the appropriate of the picture. The present curtains are low cost blackout ones and so they really feel actually heavy and uninteresting. I’d desire a extra layered look with a blackout choice however lighter-looking curtains. There’s no spot within the center to drill into (aside from the highest windowsill, the place you possibly can see my final effort to drill into it, and in some way stripped the screw, so I must have that eliminated). I don’t suppose outdoors mount works as a result of the pipe on the proper is a heating pipe and will get very popular. I can also’t transfer the window AC. (A number of very New York issues!)”

I sat and stared at this room for, I child you not, at the least an hour. Looking for the appropriate recommendation to present the reader. There’s the problem of the recent pipe, the A/C unit (at the least it’s on the underside a part of the window this time!), and being a rental (I believe). Because the reader mentions, that is her solely window, so I wish to make it each stately but additionally not block mild as greatest I can. The curtain panels she has don’t work for just a few causes: They’re mounted on a stress rod *inside* the window, however movement *outdoors* the window. Additionally they appear to cowl what perhaps is a radiator on the backside with the steel grate in entrance. It may additionally not be a radiator, nevertheless it’s one thing so…perhaps greatest to maintain that uncovered? She is aware of higher than I do, although.

The reader talked about wanting a layered look with a blackout choice, however frankly, I believe conserving issues easy goes to be the very best wager. Curtains are probably by no means going to work right here except they’re mounted above the window on a conventional rod, however the pipe prevents them from resting on either side. What *might* work, if she actually desires panels, is to have the curtain rod be put in large sufficient (once more, above the window, not contained in the window) that two or three panels might relaxation on the far proper of the window as an alternative of flanking it. It’s not usually carried out however I do at all times love once I see it. That means, she might shut the drapes proper up till the pipe, however have them look extra purposeful when open than they do proper now. If that’s not an choice, I’d counsel simply taking them down altogether.

However she’ll nonetheless want some window protection, and that’s the place an inside mount Roman shade is available in. She might both do a blackout choice there and preserve the curtains mild and breezy, or vice versa. The sill appears deep sufficient that if she installs it near the sting, it simply would possibly have the ability to cowl the A/C unit if she desires to, however it could actually additionally relaxation above it, as properly. Two shades give her extra flexibility, however one shade would look cleaner. To not point out, there are such a lot of nice no-drill shade choices available on the market, however the way in which it might want to connect by stress to either side of the inside window body means she might solely do one large shade, fairly than two slender ones. If she will be able to work out learn how to drill overhead, two historically mounted shades would work simply tremendous.

Window Procuring:

Blackout Customizable Roman Shade | Mild-Filtering Linen Shades | No-Drill Blackout Roman Shade

I didn’t a lot thoughts the concept of white curtains this reader was utilizing, simply that it wasn’t the appropriate coloration for the heat of her partitions. That’s why what I’m suggesting remains to be impartial (it’s a small area, so don’t wish to overwhelm issues), however with a bit extra creamy yellow undertones to really feel smooth, glowy and welcoming, fairly than stark. I picked a product that installs usually into the edges of the window body, but additionally a no-drill resolution that may work properly for the issues she was having stripping screws. As for the curtains, I like these light-filtering panels with blocks of stripes for some visible curiosity with out feeling like “PATTERN!”

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We’ve reached the top right here, associates. As I went again by to dot my i’s and cross my t’s, I spotted it ought to simply be retitled: Bought a difficult window you want coated? Simply add a Roman shade! As a result of sure, okay, nearly all cases required one. However they are surely simply so useful and versatile. Regardless, I’d like to see if any of the readers I’ve suggested on the first or second submit of this collection, in addition to this one, in fact. And if any of those helped somebody studying, I’d love to listen to about that, too!

Now that my DNA make-up is 80% window-covering recommendation, I can cling up my hat…for now. I hope these posts have been useful or on the very least enjoyable for you. Whether or not to look into individuals’s properties (I get it, I’m a home voyeur, too), or simply to get concepts for learn how to work round design conundrums.

See you subsequent time, probably with extra problem-solving. 🙂