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

I’m the primary individual to inform anybody who asks me that quite a lot of instances, curtain coverings are a private fashion selection. When you like one thing dreamy and dramatic, go along with full-length drapes. Need one thing trendy and crisp? Go for a shade or Roman shade. Fascinated about one thing conventional and stately? Plantation shutters is perhaps simply the factor. The gist: Go together with what you want (after which comply with the foundations—like these—for every). BUT! Typically, you don’t actually have a lot of a selection. Or relatively, there’s a *proper* and (sort of) *improper* technique to go about dressing a window. No less than when you’re coping with some tough, sticky architectural particulars and want for peak operate meets kind.

If I’m being upfront, two of those reader submissions actually stumped me for a bit. Are there perhaps another methods to unravel 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 constraints, and that’s a win for me. 🙂

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

Cumbersome, Funky & Barn-Like

From the reader: “I’d 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 want to dam visibility at night time however let in sufficient daylight throughout the brief 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 question these have been in all probability costly and customized for these home windows, so perhaps attempt promoting or making a gift of within the state of affairs the place they could work for another person’s residence), what might this house owner do? The window by the radiator was pretty straightforward to type out (shades!), however that funky backside window…hmmm. At first, I puzzled what it’d appear like to only perform a little 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 thought 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 assumed, nicely…why do we have to cowl that portion anyway if I’m suggesting including curtain panels? Perhaps some privateness movie for a bit of sunshine filtering and privateness throughout 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 night time, when the shades could be closed on the opposite home windows, and I went proper again to the final thought of getting a shade there. Frankly, I nonetheless don’t love that possibility, however I believe this reader can mess around with a number of 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 night time, 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 difficulty is solved, I really helpful 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. Outdoors mounted shades would assist to masks among the “cabin-like” vibes we’re getting from the brown wooden, however 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 laborious to get a way of fashion or colours on this residence/room to confidently suggest one thing, however I’d counsel one thing in a colour or refined 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 could have seen I stated so as to add curtains to the window with the radiator. That is simply to match the burden of the aspect of the room with the TV. These gained’t be capable to shut across the radiator, to allow them to simply sit off to the aspect of the entire financial institution of home windows.

Window Buying:

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

As I point out in a number of of those, I didn’t have a lot to go off for fashion or colour palettes so I stored it impartial and color-friendly with a light-weight, denim-y blue Roman or a delicate white Roman. As for the material, since there could be a handful of them, I needed one thing gentle and never too heavy however with just a little impression. I discovered these nice linen-like SUPER reasonably priced panels (significantly, underneath $50 for a set of two 96-inch size) with a enjoyable sample that can convey 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 significant work in progress. Considered one of my unsolved issues: my window coverings. My two main issues: 1. Finances — I moved with subsequent to nothing in the best way of furnishings and decor, so it’s been a spendy few months making an attempt to fill the house. I’m not trying to splurge on curtains. 2. Blackout — my condominium constructing has alley lights that keep on 24/7 straight exterior my window, so I’m on the lookout for one thing to dam that out. Blackout curtains appear to be the best choice, however I’ve a radiator straight 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 practically flush to the nook. Tough, tough, my mates. As a lot as I’d like to say “add draperies!” to make this major 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 will probably nonetheless find yourself feeling beautiful, useful, and exquisite. My resolution? Shock, shock…a Roman shade with a blackout lining for the reason that reader wants to dam the alley gentle. To make the window really feel maybe extra stately, I like to recommend one huge shade hung at the least six inches above the window body. This trick does the identical factor as hanging draperies tall and huge: makes the window look greater and ceilings really feel taller. As this requires an outdoor mount, truthfully, I’d simply depart the mini blinds for added gentle management contemplating this reader needed to maintain the finances minimal (in any other case, I’d suggest blackout pull-down shades).

And whereas it is a publish about window remedies, 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 house.

Window Buying:

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

I stored issues fairly simple right here, because it sounds just like the reader is simply simply starting her adorning journey within the house. The partitions appear just 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 house, relying on what route she takes her fashion. The bamboo curler is by far the bottom value however doesn’t work as seamlessly as a cordless elevate shade, in fact. Both means, certainly one of these will convey softness (and lightweight blocking) to her bed room.

A Not-Too-Younger But Playful Playroom Answer

From the reader: “That is the bonus room above our storage, although our home is small so we do quite a lot 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 observe TV and a really occasional visitor room when we’ve quite a lot of company over. There are two massive home windows and I’d prefer to do away with the blinds and have one thing that appears just a little nicer and ties collectively the room. I’m challenged by the sloping ceiling by one window which might restrict curtain rods. Neighbors 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 gentle in (or simply be opened). Because it’s a playroom, I would like one thing enjoyable and secure, however for the reason that complete household makes use of it, it will probably’t be too infantile.” 

Whew! An easy one, fortunately. The second I noticed this house, I knew the all-mighty Roman shade could 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 outdoor 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 huge as each home windows collectively in the identical framing.

Window Buying:

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 realize…let’s keep on with some classics right here. Stripes, gingham, blockprint (and all cordless, as nicely, as a result of…child security). They’ve bought some blues, grays, and burgundy taking place within the photograph which I believe would work nice with the gingham and striped shades, and for some colour palette growth, this muted inexperienced leaf print would possibly simply additionally work properly.

A/C Unit & Pipe: Meet Your Match

From the reader: “My difficulty is that is the one window in my condominium and my bed room is on the opposite aspect of the open space on the fitting of the photograph. The present curtains are low cost blackout ones they usually really feel actually heavy and uninteresting. I’d favor a extra layered look with a blackout possibility however lighter-looking curtains. There’s no spot within the center to drill into (apart from the highest windowsill, the place you’ll be able to see my final effort to drill into it, and one way or the other stripped the screw, so I must have that eliminated). I don’t suppose exterior mount works as a result of the pipe on the proper is a heating pipe and will get extremely popular. I can also’t transfer the window AC. (A lot 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 fitting recommendation to provide the reader. There’s the difficulty of the new 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 gentle as finest I can. The curtain panels she has don’t work for a number of causes: They’re mounted on a pressure rod *inside* the window, however stream *exterior* the window. Additionally they appear to cowl what perhaps is a radiator on the backside with the steel grate in entrance. It may also not be a radiator, however it’s one thing so…perhaps finest to maintain that uncovered? She is aware of higher than I do, although.

The reader talked about wanting a layered look with a blackout possibility, however frankly, I believe retaining issues easy goes to be the most effective guess. Curtains are doubtless by no means going to work right here until they’re mounted above the window on a conventional rod, however the pipe prevents them from resting on all sides. What *might* work, if she actually desires panels, is to have the curtain rod be put in huge 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 a substitute of flanking it. It’s not typically achieved however I do at all times love after 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 possibility, 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 possibility there and maintain the curtains gentle and breezy, or vice versa. The sill appears deep sufficient that if she installs it near the sting, it simply would possibly be capable to cowl the A/C unit if she desires to, however it will probably additionally relaxation above it, as nicely. 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 best way it might want to connect by strain to either side of the inside window body means she might solely do one huge shade, relatively than two slender ones. If she will be able to determine the right way to drill overhead, two historically mounted shades would work simply nice.

Window Buying:

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

I didn’t a lot thoughts the thought of white curtains this reader was utilizing, simply that it wasn’t the fitting colour for the heat of her partitions. That’s why what I’m suggesting remains to be impartial (it’s a small house, so don’t wish to overwhelm issues), however with a bit extra creamy yellow undertones to really feel delicate, glowy and welcoming, relatively 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 nicely 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 tip right here, mates. As I went again by way of to dot my i’s and cross my t’s, I spotted it ought to simply be retitled: Received a difficult window you want lined? Simply add a Roman shade! As a result of sure, okay, virtually all situations 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 publish 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 folks’s properties (I get it, I’m a home voyeur, too), or simply to get concepts for the right way to work round design conundrums.

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