Need Window Treatment Help Please

Question

We recently moved into a new home with plenty of windows. I've got the dining room windows figured out but, we need major help deciding what to do in the family/ main living room. 2 windows to the back of the room face northwest while the one window on the side faces west. We put up light blocking blinds which helps to keep the hot sun from baking the room but, how do we soften the look without being to matchy with the adjoining dining room? Thanks for the help friends :-) You can see more of the way the rooms are laid out here: http://www.kathewithane.com/2013/09/welcome-to-our-new-home.html

Blythe Brownlow · Answer

Maybe try sliding panels? I used some from IKEA and I love them--you can use a couple different types of panels on the same sliding rail so you can layer the curtains. For example--we have an opaque panel on the back rail and then a more translucent rail on the front so that you can keep light out--or you can let a little light through--here's some examples of all the options at IKEA http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/living_room/10654/ Also, check out the Apartment Tour on my blog 29tuesdaysdesign.blogspot.com to see examples of how I used the panels in my apartment :) Good luck!

Holly S. · Answer

I have seen several people on Hometalk use painters' drop cloths and hang them similar to the way you hung your others drapes only with rings with hooks on the ends. If they are too long, don't hem, simply fold the top down a few inches to make a valance, iron the folded section and hang with the clips. The simplicity of the drop cloth fabric would look wonderful. Sheets could also be used in the same way if they are too long. I take no credit...all belongs to others on this wonderful site.

Creative Blinds & Decor · Answer

Kathe,
 Congratulations on your new home. The best solution is to hang draperies to the floor, placing rods well above the top of the windows. A fabric that will soften your scheme, with you favorite colors will add the touch you are looking for. Happy to help you!

Blinds.com · Answer

Hello @Kathe With An E (Kathe) One way to coordinate your look without being too matchy-matchy is to hang roman shades in the living room in a fabric that's complimentary, but not the same. They're moderately good at blocking heat, but a blackout liner would amp up your protection significantly. If you'd like to focus on keeping your space cool over style, cellular shades or solar shades will make a HUGE difference for you. We have some cellular shades that are lined with mylar for incredible energy efficiency. You could layer curtains on top of these more modern shades to soften up the look. Take a look at these products and let us know what you think: http://www.blinds.com/control/product/productID,76848 http://www.blinds.com/control/product/productID,105254 http://www.blinds.com/control/product/productID,104680

Pure Home · Answer

Hi @Kathe With An E (Kathe), since you already have a pattern on the window treatments in the dining room, may we suggest that you go with a plain, clean, streamlined panel on either end of each window? A soft gray tweed fabric would look beautiful. Remember when mounting your panels to do it about six-eight inches above the top of the window to give your ceilings added 'height.' Good luck! Andie, ASID Purehome.com

Renee · Answer

Hi @Kathe With An E (Kathe), rather than having the blinds always closed to keep the heat out and not letting in any light why don't you use a decorative window film. We used Wallpaper For Windows in our family room and it's beautiful. It gives us privacy, but still lets in a soft defused natural light and block the heat. Our room temp went down about 20 degrees. Best of all I got rid of the dust collecting blinds, and curtains! They have so many wonderful patterns to choose from, and they are a static cling film so the installation was very easy.

169756 · Answer

Love the choice for the dining room curtains.  Very  pretty.  We just moved into a new place also.  We face northeast in the living/dining combo.  We love nature and have a nice view so decided we would put up valances over the miniblinds.  Gives privacy but softens the look a lot, while providing plenty of openness for the room(s).

Nancy Wagner · Answer

Since you already have the blinds think about sheer curtains on a rod to just soften the window lines because you don't want to detract from the view. Mount them just outside the window to expand the view like giant pictures on your walls. The window film mentioned is a great idea as it would help deter the sun fading of your furnishings. I have used BrylaneHome.com for inexpensive sheers in all kinds of sizes and a variety of colors. Can't tell for sure what color the walls are in your room but think about a tone-on-tone color selection to emphasize your beautiful view. Step At A Time Interiors

Jeanette S · Answer

Since you have miniblinds, I would go minimum on curtains. I agree with sheers in the center and then use a drop cloth from the paint department cut to size with a couple of stripes of black ribbon near the top for accent...if you don't sew, all this can be done with iron on tape and clips to attach to rods. This would be stunning!

Sandra Battaglia · Answer

Hi there...congrats on your new home. I absolutely love your hardwood floors and paint colors. The colors that I am seeing are pretty much neutral colors. In the living room, I would pull my colors from your carpet. May I suggest a light colored sheers (maybe a light yellow/gold) with a darker yellow/gold valance (JCP has really pretty sheers). This will help soften the room and maintain the warmth. Valances will help more with keeping the sun out and may help to pull the eyes upward, as well. Since both of your rooms are neutral colors, I would use one accent color in both rooms to bring them together and make them 'pop.' You may want to buy nice pillows to place on your sofas to soften them (may a light green or your favorite color). Then buy a runner for your table in a similar color and a throw for your chair. Just be careful in the living room due to the black. Black is a color that always makes other color appear more brilliant. If you remove the black the other colors don't appear to 'pop' as much. Red is a great color in limited amounts.

Michelle · Answer

You can make 'no sew' inexpensive roman shades. With Roman shades you won't have the same long panel effect you do in the other rooms. Plus the style of Roman shades will match your leather furniture...in my opinion!

Weesie · Answer

Lou, Illinois
Too many chairs and the room is one sided. May I suggest that you take the single recliner and place it on the opposite side of the room catty-corner to where it is now or remove it to another area altogether. Now when you address the window treatments, the room will be well balanced and the curtains will stand out on their own. 
I would like to suggest floor length draperies with vertices stripes in brown and cream. This will help balance the room vertically as we'll as horizontally.
Hope this helps!

153091 · Answer

Hi Kathe.try turning the rug, narrow side facing fireplace and at the other end the couch with coffee table in front of it and one small table next to right arm side, then move the single chair and love seat around facing the TV. With holidays coming focus more on the fireplace rather then the TV. You could run your curtain rods into the corner on the two windows, leave space for decor and then the other window. What ever you do, make your self happy in your new home!

Donna H · Answer

I agree with others.  Too much furniture on one side of the room. I would also angle your area rug, since the fireplace wall looks slightly angled.  As for curtains, , I love what you did in

dining room.  Play off that and maybe do decorative rod with scarf valances

Donna H · Answer

Continued: but you do need an accent color. I would pick an opposite color of one of your main colors and add that to curtains and pillows or other decor. Blue, green or even a red or orange would be nice.

KrysFL · Answer

What about wood cornices with sheers... the sheers will cover the white blinds and give it a little more elegance (to match the elegance in your rug)... then you also always have the option to leave blinds up & sheers closed or blinds up/sheers open. There are a bunch of DIY plans to build them online and they are very easy to make (I have made 1 myself).

Tarynn Myers · Answer

if you're looking for DIY ideas ( or would like to save money) I adore this idea from DIYshowoff.com: no-sew script curtains. They are pretty, simple, you could easily hem them if you choose-- and don't have to be perfect-- have a kid with great handwriting do the writing!

Tarynn Myers · Answer

whoops I forgot the picture http://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/no-sew-dropcloth-curtains1.png

Jo ann bonner · Answer

If you want a casual,  &  inexpensive treatment, I've found working with 'Painters Drop Cloths'  a real kool alternative to expensive fabric.  You can trim them w/ribbon, cut them into panels, and add strips of coordinating fabric for a very fashionable look. All so on the cheap!

Gayle Valverde · Answer

Hello Kathy & congrats on your new home with the great views!!! I'm not a fan of curtains at all...don't have a one anywhere in my house. I use window toppers for color/patterns and have double paned windows all around. I love a nice cornice box or plate rack over a window on the inside and have a patio cover outside the patio & front door. This is a decent time of year to get a good deal on windows, but after the new year, prices will go down considerably, as contractors need the work. Good luck & look forward to seeing you update with what will work best for you. :)

Kim Taylor · Answer

I wanted something different in my living room and used burlap sacks as a valance. I handsowed a line about 1 inch down from the top, to keep it from rolling on the curtain rod and cut a small hole for the rod to go thru. Everyone loves them and they are a nice neutral color. I think it would bring out the beige in your rug.

Lisa@ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air · Answer

Hi Kathe, I love the look of the fancy rods but you can add the curtain clips to the rod and just about any curtain looks really nice . You can clip the curtain on instead of putting it through the rod. Mixing and matching is nice too. Have fun with it!

Trisha Martin · Answer

Three pieces of dark leather are over powering the room. Remove the recliner or remove the other pieces and replace with one normal size sofa. Use your tables at either end of sofa. Consider painting the coffee table a lighter color. I see you live in Colorado, how hot is the sunshine? And for what period of time during the year? Consider some of the no sew drapes or even sheers. Do you have a nice view? If so, could you remove the mini blinds and just go with a little sunshine a few months of the year? Wooden blinds open would be nice. (in White) Or some no sew Roman shades would be really good. Best of luck.

Kathe With An E (Kathe) · Answer

Because of altitude, we are closer to the sun so, the sunshine is HOT. We are also considered high desert plains and summer temps can be in the 90's into the 100's for weeks. Not to mention the cold, snow and wind in the winter. No coverings or just sheers are not an option. I will share some updates on what we have done with the room and window coverings.

Diane Arnold · Answer

On the re-model we have been working on I have used IKEA wire window treatment hanging system. Very inexpensive, but you can hang any hemmed fabric with the clips they have. Easy to hang and easy to change seasonally or take down for cleaning.

SusZanne · Answer

Because your furniture is on the oversized scale and heavy in appearance, perhaps consider hanging the curtains higher to make room appear larger and choose a bold accent color for pillows and  make curtains sheets or dropcloth material and sew a border of your accent color along the curtain edge to pull room together....avoid browns and beiges....perhaps add color with a new area rug...if it's in the budget.

Bonnie Lewenza · Answer

Wow you are so lucky to have such large windows and so many of them. I am a plant loving person with not nearly enough windows. I have some very large plants and in the winter they hug all of my windows. However you are n a very different part of the world then myself.. You could leave your blinds up to help keep the hot sun out but maybe consider some type of pretty sheer to put over the blinds. They will soften your room and take away the harshness of it. Use some nice embellishments for hanging. Hang them from ceiling to floor for a nice effect. I hope this helps some.

Jeannie · Answer

Add some color. You like red, add some red print drapes, red pillows, red lamp base.

Opal · Answer

Congrats on the new home, it is lovely. I would second the notion of hanging block out drapes closer to the ceiling maybe in a sage color (coordinates with the rug and another wall), then adding red accents. The red plate on your buffet is beautiful. Hopefully you have ac, if not a ceiling fan would be a must. Will follow to see what you come up with.

Lana Baker · Answer

@Lana Baker You really do have a lot of dark color in your room. I would suggest keeping a lighter color for the window treatment. If you already have room darkening shades, do you need a full curtain? I think, either, a solid color, or a stripe would be pretty. Maybe a cafe curtain with a valance, or a double cafe (long on the top, and bottom.) Then you could pull the curtains open or shut, when you need to. I love the lemon color in the rug.

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