What should I do with this window in my kitchen?

This window faces the front of the house. I'm not sure how to cover it. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks, Tami
  38 answers
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Aug 24, 2013
    I'd go with some sheers and then get a small herb garden going in pots. there is a some great space there for some plants...being in the kitchen herbs make perfect sense.
  • R.V.R. Farris R.V.R. Farris on Aug 24, 2013
    How about a tension rod at the level of the straight line with sheers and leave the curved area above open.
  • Z Z on Aug 24, 2013
    I'd have a custom wood blinds made to fit the whole area to control both light and privacy. Then have an open bottom bench built to fit the whole length of the alcove placing pillows at each end for lounging/reading. If you want/need storage I'd place decorative baskets, preferably with lids, under the bench.
  • Tamara Bresnihan Tamara Bresnihan on Aug 24, 2013
    thanks, @Z I love that idea!
  • Tamara Bresnihan Tamara Bresnihan on Aug 24, 2013
    thanks, @KMS Woodworks I have a brown thumb but thanks for the suggestion.
  • Tamara Bresnihan Tamara Bresnihan on Aug 24, 2013
    thanks, @R.V.R. Farris for the suggestion.
  • Jessica C Jessica C on Aug 24, 2013
    You could use etching creme on the windows for a frosted look if you want more privacy.
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    • Jessica C Jessica C on Aug 26, 2013
      @PattyK You can get it at a craft store like Michael's or Hobby Lobby.
  • Bonnie Lewenza Bonnie Lewenza on Aug 24, 2013
    I would not worry about the window it is beautiful. But what you could do is put your interest as to what you see out the window like a nice landscape,
  • Jennifer Pospichal Jennifer Pospichal on Aug 25, 2013
    Exactly what Bonnie L. said! I love the window and would want to take full advantage of the light and view. The only thing I might do for privacy at night is have a pleated shade that draws from the bottom up.
  • Tamara Bresnihan Tamara Bresnihan on Aug 25, 2013
    Thanks everyone for all your great suggestions.
  • Donna Donna on Aug 25, 2013
    This is a beautiful window. Some tall plants at the edge of your lawn for privacy. Some bird feeders and a nice breakfast nook or relaxing seat to enjoy the view.
  • This window is a find! Not many people get such beautiful natural light in their kitchen. Make the outdoor space your sanctuary that you can look out on every morning and evening when the kitchen is most used...bird feeders, beautiful blooming plants and some evergreens to keep interest going all through the seasons. Birdbath, garden art - the sky is the limit and a great pallet! Privacy could be an issue at night so install two panels on either side and draw them only when needed in a fabric that brings the outdoors in! Post pictures! :-)
  • Susan Cryor Susan Cryor on Aug 26, 2013
    you can get arch curtain rods, and easy to make the curtains...I would suggest a very light, see through, that is to let the light in...and only address the arch, accent it. Then go outside and create to your hearts desire! Everyone who said view is so right! What has your neighbor done? Looks like the house across the street has the same window?
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    • Susan Cryor Susan Cryor on Aug 26, 2013
      @Tamara Bresnihan Google Arched curtain Rod, you can check out the photos under site "images" and see the rods! I did write this, but did not take One of the coolest thing I have seen for window, not arched window but your bottom part (square) part is shutters, where mirrors were installed on the inside of the shutters and the slats were showing on the outside. Additional light in the evenings with lights reflecting off the mirror, privacy and attractive from the outside at night.....and easy opening for day time!
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Aug 26, 2013
    If you want privacy, what about some of that frosted paper you can put on windows and take off later if you don't like it. You can even get a design for the center and plain around it. Personally, I would attach hooks to sheers so they would open and close easily...and put them on a straight rod. During the day, I would pull them open and at night I would close them.
  • Sue Hebert Sue Hebert on Aug 26, 2013
    I, too am a fan of windows and light, especially in the kitchen area. Love the idea of adding the bird feeders and nice landscaping for your view, but at night, I want some privacy!! I think I would put up a nice, sturdy, metal rod and buy some curtains with the metal rings build in. I have some in my house that look similar to bamboo and can be purchased in brown or a lighter cane color. They are easy to open and close and would be perfect for that window. Purchased at JC Penny. Of course, there are many that are many curtains in this style made with fabric that would work as well.
  • Sue Hebert Sue Hebert on Aug 26, 2013
    Ok, now I see that you have curtains, except I would definitely drop the rod to expose the curve at the top of the window. That would make a huge difference.
  • Tamara Bresnihan Tamara Bresnihan on Aug 26, 2013
    thanks, @Patricia Presto/On The Surface I love your enthusiasm, you make me excited! Tami
  • Contractor Services LLC Contractor Services LLC on Aug 26, 2013
    We can't tell what the rest of the kitchen looks like from the image; however, a neater - more elegant & organized - look would be to use some type of wooden plantation shudder, either halfway up (from bottom sill) or 3/4 of the way to the bottom of the arch.This would always allow you to adjust your privacy as well as the amount of light you desire on any given day.
  • Jenn Barrett Jenn Barrett on Aug 26, 2013
    if you dont like the view then, Home Depot has some new window coverings that makes it look like bamboo etc (privacy covering) instead of frosting it with that spray. Or like the others, get the shaded that you can put on with water, and people cant see in but you can see out. but it is a pretty window. Love the idea of bird feeders etc.
  • Seabreezn Seabreezn on Aug 26, 2013
    Pick out several textures of one color or several colors of stain glass= measure each pane and cut to fit with a small glass cutter found at Stain Glass store, just a dab of silicone in each of the 4 corners of the panes will hold the glass up until you want a change ......it's just beautiful when the various light of day comes through and reflects around your room ( also depends on which way your window faces= North? East ? ) You can also put an image behind the stainglass to shadow through .......Oh ! U can do this relatively cheap by checking your stainglass stores recycle bin !! Good Luck -it's a neat window !
  • Blinds.com Blinds.com on Aug 26, 2013
    It's true, you have an absolutely gorgeous view! However, if you'd like a little privacy or versatility, we'd second the window seat idea. Get a bench with storage (ikea has some inexpensive ones) and cover the top with cushions. Roman shades in a fun pattern would look beautiful (check out these: http://blnds.cm/1djwgHm). Just order them with a 'traverse rod' - this allows the shades to be mounted below the arch without sagging. If you'd like to cover the whole window, the combination of shutters (http://blnds.cm/ReYNAY) and a matching arch (http://blnds.cm/Sd8TQE) is timeless and durable.
  • Frankieh Frankieh on Aug 26, 2013
    I would use this space for an indoor garden. Perfect spot for hanging plants, and potted plants. A small bistro set would look good there also.
  • Pat Pat on Aug 26, 2013
    I was thinking a bench would be ideal but I see your refrigerator there so that probably won't work. I think I would leave the drapes you have but put sheers under them. Beautiful window.
  • PattyK PattyK on Aug 26, 2013
    Thank you!
  • Becky Jeffress Becky Jeffress on Aug 26, 2013
    I am not a fan of shutters, I've had an entire house of shuttered windows and I hated cleaning them, hated having to make adjustments for opening and closing them-they stick out into the room, can't put stuff up near it, don't like them. For the openness of room I would maybe go with something that just fits in the window itself, not the arched part, just the 6 over 6 part, very light, opaque enough for privacy but let in the light. Or maybe shear fabric there and something along the lines of what you have just not up to the arch. A table or buffet type piece of furniture in front of the window something to 'fill' in the space,or a sitting area, wouldn't it be nice to sit there and have a lemonade and look out at the world!
  • Marcia Maddie Marcia Maddie on Aug 26, 2013
    I would put up a half curtain and a valance up and leave the arch open this would look nice in a window that is in the kitchen .I don't know how wide the window but it looks big you could use tension rods or shower rods might work .This way you could see the nice window but with the half curtain nobody could look at you just a thought good luck!!!!!!
  • 98466 98466 on Aug 26, 2013
    I would put up some type of half covering, from the middle of the windows to the floor. Either shutters painted the same color as the trim, or a natural linen color. I would put them on a tension rod. You'll get the privacy from the "waist" down and still let in tons of light and be able to enjoy your view and that arch.
  • Lillian Garcia Lillian Garcia on Aug 26, 2013
    Consider faux stain glass for the arch for color, lower the rod and use opaque curtains to let the light in and secure privacy at the same time.
  • Tamara Bresnihan Tamara Bresnihan on Aug 28, 2013
    I would love a window seat, do you think it's possible?
    • Z Z on Aug 28, 2013
      @Tamara, as I mentioned above, I think it's very doable.
  • Tamara Souder Tamara Souder on Aug 28, 2013
    I am a new homeowner and I have an octagon window in my babies room that I was unsure what to do with. I bought some of that privacy film in a lovely pebble pattern. It not only blocks out 96% of the UV rays, it also makes it private. The added bonus is that when the sun shines through, it leaves colorful prisms throughout the room. It's beautiful. :)
  • NancyLee NancyLee on Aug 29, 2013
    What a gorgeous window - I second the half curtain idea (for some privacy) plus a little "garden area". If you didn't want to install a window seat, you could use a long old-fashioned bench. They can be made to order in length and in color at Etsy or ebay. I got mine from Ebay a few years ago. I'm putting up a picture - doesn't really do it justice. Of course you would want a longer one (mine was 4 feet). Plants would look lovely on it too. Or what about Roman shades that rest down on the sill - then you could pull it up at night (I would want it covered at night). Here's an interesting blog on the making of Roman shades: http://romanshadeblog.blogspot.com/ Will you post a picture of the finished window?
  • Yair Spolter Yair Spolter on Oct 03, 2013
    Hey Tamara, What did you decide to do?
  • Pamela Derickson Pamela Derickson on Oct 03, 2013
    if that were my window I would not cover the window that is your source of light I would be thinking what I could do outside the window like a butterfly bush or flowering brushes
  • Pamela Derickson Pamela Derickson on Oct 03, 2013
    and then a small round table and two chairs there
  • Terra Gazelle Terra Gazelle on Jun 08, 2014
    How about a window seat and a cafe curtain..or a wide sheer panel gathered over to the side...Perfect place for a little reading nook also..small chair and a book shelf for cook books? Its a shame the fridge is right there.
  • Pamela Sandall Pamela Sandall on Jun 08, 2014
    How deep is the bay? I looks about 18" in the picture... Probably enough for a simple bench. That would be a nice bit of softness and color. Are the windows wood or aluminum? If wood, you could do the cafe style just below the arch. If not, the span is too big for tension rod. If you want to do full length drapes, you might consider ceiling track to hang them from. You have the perfect place to do that. Ceiling tracks mounts directly to the ceiling and you won't have the problem of a rod that is bisecting the window at all.
  • Tamara Bresnihan Tamara Bresnihan on Jun 08, 2014
    Thanks Pamela, I am on the lookout for a bench.
  • Faith R Georges Faith R Georges on Jun 08, 2014
    if you want a full view at times install a blind treatment that is cloth and goes from the bottom up. you can stop half way or cover the full window with a touch of a button for privacy at night facing the street.