Last week, I received a note from someone in our community who was struggling to find window treatments that she loved and have a high-end look but aren't a crazy fortune. Maybe you can relate?
After spending a few years specifying custom drapes, shades and cornices, I know that they are incredibly beautiful, add so much to a space and can cost somewhere between a car payment and a mortgage for each window. And if you have that money to spare, I totally recommend taking the plunge.
But, when getting ready to sell or when you would rather go on vacation this year than add fabric to your windows, some less expensive alternatives are the way to go
Let's start with your hardware.
How to create beautiful window treatments
Rods
There are so many kinds of rods but let's start with the length. You have two main choices.
- Custom: cut to the exact length that you need
- Adjustable: these are the kind that extend from a small length to a longer length.
Side note: when selling your house our team recommends using two small cafe rods like these on either side of the window to hang curtains using very long nails to hang them. They are inexpensive and most buyers are not walking into your house checking out your window hardware.
Design professionals typically choose custom-sized rods to exactly fit your window. Most of the hardware that you are going to find on the market comes in adjustable rods. No shame in that. You just need to know how to order adjustable rods because you could end up with wonky, uneven-looking rods and window treatment. So here's what you do:
- Measure the width of the window from the outside of the window trim and add 12″ (I like to hang the rod so that it extends a minimum of 6″ beyond the window frame)
- Purchase a rod that has a minimum length closest to the measurement you just calculated
Ex. Window is 39″ wide measuring from the outside of the trim. Add 12. You get 47″. Purchase an adjustable rod that extends from 48″ to whatever the longer length is.
And just to reassure you, my drapery installer guy, Tom, told me that he installs expensive custom drapery on adjustable rods from places like Bed Bath and Beyond all the time. I have gotten rods at BBB but my favorite adjustable rods are these (click image to get to shopping links):
Rings
Next up let's talk rings. Sometimes your window treatments come with grommets, tab tops, or they are rod pocket. If you aren't planning to open and close your drapes and you like the look of grommets, tab tops or rod pocket drapes then you can skip to the bottom where I have oodles of gorgeous window treatments.
But, if you want a more designer look or just love the look of drapery rings (I'm a heck yes to both!) then hang with me here. Haha! Pun totally not intended!!
What I don't want you to use are these clip ring guys. No judgment if you are. You should just change them immediately (just kidding!):
You should be using this kind of curtain ring or just removing the clip:
And using these drapery hooks behind the drapes:
They attach super easily to the back of the drape like this:
And now finallllly we get to the drapes!!
Two things really quick. First, always look for curtain panels that are at least 50″ wide. If not, they will look waif-ish on your windows. Second, measure to the highest point on your wall and then subtract 2-3″ to give your rod and finial a little breathing room. So, if your ceiling is 8′ and you don't have any crown moulding that means your drape should be 93″-94″ to hit the floor.
But what if you find 96″ drapes that you absolutely love?
Not a problem!
Bring them to your local dry cleaner and you should be able to have those beauties hemmed for about $30-40/panel. Brilliant!
I'm also including window treatments from a site that I love that makes custom window treatments (so they are a little pricier) but it gives your more options for fabrics, trims, etc and they make the process super, super easy. Click the image to take you to the shopping links! **note we are in the process of updating selections and links since many of these have been discontinued but this can give you some inspo in the meantime!
So to my lovely reader who asked this question, I hope it helped!
xo,
Lori
what about if you have three large windows? would panels look tacky?
Ruth, you would never be tacky! Send me a photo of the windows and I’ll let you know what I think!
Great post -timely and helpful!
So glad it’s helpful, Amanda!