What kind of curtain for patio/lanai window?

Question

We would like to put some kind of curtain to frame a large sliding patio/lanai window that looks out over a golf course. The curtain does not need to go across the full width so can just stack for 12-15' on each side. I found some great looking oversized tablecloths in a light weight polyester fabric that I plan to make into curtains: I have three 60'x102' pieces and I sew fairly well. The print  fits my Florida condo decor very well. What type of curtain style do you recommend? Pleats? Tab top? Lined?
Should I make a cornice or valance? If so, should it be the same or a coordinating fabric? Should I use two short rods or one long one?  My 2 pictures   show the window and its view. Any advice out there for me? It will be much appreciated!

Mitziblueyes · Answer

I'd do a swag at the top to not block the view! Do two short unless you're planning a middle support! My dad made a shelf yrs ago that Picts sat over top of ours! Good luck!

David Logan · Answer

Drapes would look awesome.

Mary Ann · Answer

Thanks for commenting!

Rustic & Refined · Answer

Love the large doors! .if it were me, I'd treat the door like it was a giant window. I hang one panel on each side (as close to the ceiling as possible) and one addt'l panel in the middle. Just keep the panels only over hanging the door handle just barely and use rings to hang the curtains so they stay where you want them.

Mary Ann · Answer

Thanks for advising!

Jeanette S · Answer

One thing I saw on Hometalk a long time ago was the use of decorative towel racks for putting up curtains on each side of a window...so you don't have to look at an empty rod across the top of the window/door! And they are not very expensive and come in adorable designs!

Mary Ann · Answer

Very interesting idea!

L · Answer

I love Jeanette S idea on using the towel rods and putting on each side of the door. I love the flow of how open it is, don't over cover the beauty that you have already. I would put the rods on the outside and high, having them go to the floor, making the door even appear larger.

Mary Ann · Answer

Thanks!

Denise Hardy · Answer

Hi Mary Ann - I would be tempted to do something like these. I made these, but wanted to design them to cover the whole width of the window to make them look larger and to drape them to make the most of the view outside and of course to bring the light indoors. 
 Note how the heading is - which I think make them look quite 'classy' and also making the use of tie-backs to be able to hold them back. They are very light and airy and easy to 'drape' and similar to what I would call a cotton muslin. This villa is our second home in Spain and obviously get plenty of sunshine :) 
 I show you some before and after pictures of the window dressing - I have four windows in my lounge/dining - two large sliding patio doors leading to a balcony and two smaller windows. You will see on one of the photos of how I dressed the smaller window - the other window like that is on the opposite side of the lounge - hope this helps looking at the way I dressed my windows in a hot country. Hope I have given you another idea on how you could dress your window :)

Denise Hardy · Answer

Thanks Mary Ann - I am sure yours will look beautiful too:) Where in Florida are you? I've been to Tampa a couple of times and I have been doing some 'homework' on the internet as regards short term rentals in the Tampa area - say for 3 months or something so we can look around at the possibility of longer term rentals as my husband retires next year and we will leave Ireland and live permanently in Spain, but then spend certain months of the year in or around Florida. Any good tips of where you would recommend or any good apartments/houses you know of for rental and good estate agents to go to - would be much appreciated :) Somewhere lively or got lots of 'life' around the area :)

Mary Ann · Answer

Sarasota region is a great area.  Try VRBO website for rentals!

Denise Hardy · Answer

Hi Mary Ann - yes I have been told Sarasota region is beautiful, although I haven't had the opportunity to look down there, but would like to. Thank you for the tip of trying VRBO website - I will have a look. Kind Regards

April H · Answer

Mary Ann, we're on a golf course in Florida (no longer live in Flowery Branch, Ga as my profile says) and had the same problem. The view is what sold us on the house, so why cover it up? We didn't like the heavy velvet curtains the previous homeowner left. We did like the sunshine and openness, but felt the windows needed something inorder to feel 'finished'. (Sorry the sun is so bright in the pic that the golf course only shows through the slider next to the curtain. Should have closed the sliders for you. Afterthought!) The rod across the top didn't bother us maybe because of the row of pictures above it and we keep the curtains pulled to side at all times. (Pardon the cat toys infront of the curtains! lol!) Swags and cornices are 'out' these days. So, we chose clips and a light wieght fabric that was lined. You could easily use your fabric and attach clips to the top! You can't see it in the attached picture, but there are more windows to the right. On the last set of double sliding windows to the right, we also have matching curtains that are pulled to the right. No pictures above that rod, but the wall is only 12' high and the rod across the top of the window doesn't seem to bother us. If I were you, I'd use that fabric to make curtains, attach clip rings to the top of them, hang the rod near the ceiling, and push the curtains to each side!

Nancyb · Answer

April, that looks wonderful!  enjoying the sunshine and openness - I'm with you!  I also sew but immediately thought of (1) painted wood trim (or fake wood) including molding which can look like picture frame i.e. various styles, and (2) paint or stencil a design such as hibiscus, seashells, etc.

What kind of curtain for patio/lanai window?

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What kind of curtain for patio/lanai window?

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