Install Window Treatments
Window treatments control light, provide privacy, add texture, and visually frame your views. Properly hung drapes or shades make windows look taller, rooms feel warmer, and tie the entire design scheme together. Bare windows leave a renovation feeling unfinished no matter how polished the rest of the room is.
Time Required
1-2 days
Cost
$50-$300 per window
Difficulty
Easy to Moderate
Hanging Rules That Make Windows Look Bigger
Mount the rod high
Hang curtain rods 4-6 inches below the ceiling line, not at the top of the window frame. This draws the eye upward and makes the window appear taller. For 8-foot ceilings, mount at 84 inches from the floor. For 9-foot ceilings, mount at 96 inches or ceiling-mount the track.
Extend the rod beyond the frame
The curtain rod should extend 8-12 inches past the window frame on each side. When drapes are pulled open, the fabric stacks on the wall rather than covering the glass. This lets maximum light in and makes the window appear wider than it actually is.
Get the length right
Floor-length drapes should just kiss the floor or puddle 1-2 inches for a relaxed, luxurious look. Never let curtains stop at the windowsill or halfway down the wall as both look awkward and unfinished. Measure from the rod to the floor and subtract half an inch for a clean hover.
Treatment Types and Costs
- Custom drapes ($150-$300/window): Tailored panels in the exact fabric, length, and lining you choose. Pinch pleat, Euro pleat, or grommet headers each create a different look. Custom drapes hang and drape better than off-the-rack and last for decades.
- Ready-made curtains ($30-$100/window): Available in standard lengths (84", 96", 108"). Fewer fabric choices but immediate availability. A good option for budget-conscious renovations. Pair with quality hardware to elevate the look.
- Roman shades ($100-$250/window): Fabric shades that fold into neat horizontal pleats when raised. Clean, tailored look that works in both traditional and modern rooms. Available in flat fold, hobble (looped), and relaxed styles.
- Roller or solar shades ($50-$200/window): Minimalist option that rolls into a compact tube at the top. Solar shades filter light while preserving the view. Perfect for modern spaces or layered under drapes for light control.
- Motorized options ($200-$500/window): Battery-powered or hardwired motors raise and lower shades with a remote, app, or smart home integration. If you pre-wired power to the window headers, hardwired motors are quieter and never need battery changes.
Fabric and Lining Choices
- Linen: Relaxed, textured look that filters light beautifully. Wrinkles naturally for an organic aesthetic. Best with a cotton lining for body and light control.
- Velvet: Luxurious weight and drape. Excellent for formal living rooms. Naturally insulating and sound-absorbing. Heavier hardware needed for the weight.
- Cotton: Crisp, tailored appearance. Takes prints and patterns well. The most versatile and affordable fabric choice for living room drapes.
- Blackout lining: A rubber-backed lining that blocks 99% of light. Essential for media rooms. Adds weight and improves drape. Can be added to any face fabric.
- Privacy lining: A lighter lining that provides daytime privacy and UV protection without full blackout. The standard choice for living rooms where you want some ambient light when shades are drawn.
Pro Tips
- •Order early for custom treatments: Custom drapes and shades have 4-8 week lead times. Order as soon as paint colors are finalized so treatments arrive by the furnishing stage.
- •Use sturdy wall anchors: Drapes are heavier than they look, especially floor-length panels in lined fabric. Mount brackets into studs whenever possible. When you can't hit a stud, use toggle bolts rated for 50+ pounds.
- •Layer for versatility: Combine sheer curtains with blackout roller shades for maximum flexibility. Sheers for daytime softness, roller shades for nighttime privacy. This layered approach gives you every lighting option.