How can I cover this very wide window?

Question

I have a huge window in my living room. All three windows measure 112 inches across.  The two on the ends are 25in. across. The one in the middle is 51.5in. I want to do some kind of shades flanked by curtains on either side. The window insides are plastic/vinyl.  Any ideas on how I can do this without breaking the bank?

Dfm · Answer

love the art work! looks like fun happens at your place!

find tension rods to fit inside the windows....do you sew? fabric wide enough for each window, and a neutral color for the street side.

measure interior of window, at 0.25 inches to all sides for seams. put your 'good' sides together, sew down one long side, cross bottom and up other side. pull so right sides are out.

if you don't sew get iron on mending web. at top -fold the cut edges under, stitch or web opening closed.

pick up a package hem tape seam binding a color to go with blind. the wide type that has the 2 long sides with folded under edges. stitch/ web edges across the top leaving making a pocket for curtain rod.
 
now- the ribbons-these are used to hold up the rolled blind. enough ribbon to go from top to bottom to top plus extra for tying. when roll up and tied, it looks like a valance. down it's a blind. i've also done these with a thin quilt batt for a bit of extra insulation.

the amount of ties needed is up to you.....and the look you want.

check out fabric that is 60 inches wide and trim to fit, or check out 2nd hand shops for flat sheets in a pattern or color you like. ps the sheets should have the the top hem already in place...and you just have to bring in the sides a bit.

Mehartgallery · Answer

Flat bed sheets

Country Design Home · Answer

I have a window almost exactly the same as yours in my family room. I tried blinds but I could never get them the same height. So I went with a double curtain rod-it's actually two rods on one bracket-that spanned the length of the window. I hung the decorative panels on the outer one and then on the inside I hung sheers on rings that I could open and close as needed. I got mine at Pottery Barn but they have them available at most stores that sell curtains. Here is the link: http://www.potterybarn.com/products/7009442/?catalogId=77&sku=7009442&bnrid=3380801&cm_ven=Google_PLA&cm_cat=Shopping&cm_pla=Feed&cm_ite=Google%20Base-7009442&kwid=productads-plaid^91703237611-sku^7009442-adType^PLA-device^c-adid^43831821931&gclid=Cj0KEQiA6IC2BRDcjPrjm_istoUBEiQASrLz1qP8sqVU0nHGGbkzl_zsTH_2vQo8e4lzM_sJSL7xLcUaAiW88P8HAQ

Marlene Haigh · Answer

an inexpensive curtain rod can be acquired in the hardware store by using a wooden pole cut to size from lumber dept or a metal pole from plumbing. for curtains use sheets on sale if you don't sew.

Mickey Baron · Answer

I'd do the dbl curtain rod. Sheers & curtains. Or just lots of sheers. This will allow you to open & close them as you like, for privacy &. Inviting just as much light as needed.

Sheryll S · Answer

I used metal conduit pipes (120 inches long and as I remember a half inch in diameter).  large screw eyes to mount the pipes.  Here at my HD the pipes were less than $3 dollars each.  I will say $2.34 each at the time I purchased mine.

Judy · Answer

Metal pipes from plumbing very economical. There are drop cloths 9' x 12', good quality, canvas fabric for $20 on Amazon that LOTS of people are using for patio curtains and all kinds of window treatments. Might could dye or bleach in a large commercial washer if you don't like the natural shade.

Poppy · Answer

I go with pipework from the plumbing dept for the rods, copper pipe is not too expensive and can be spray painted to match your colour scheme, then have a look at sheers on sale..I know IKEA do great ones at very reasonable prices....we had a HUGE bay window in the Uk which was only 5 ft from the side walk so privacy was a problem I bought conservatory blinds.yes, they were expensive but they fit close to the glass, can be adjusted up and down very easily AND let in 90% of the light, an added bonus was the thermal quality, they blocked heat in the summer and kept it in in the winter.Good luck.

Paula · Answer

I use king size flat sheets for large windows, lots of great patterns and colors can grommet the tops and use shower curtain hooks to hang them

Becky · Answer

I actually used inexpensive lace curtains from Ikea 12.99 a pair of panels and inexpensive tablecloths 4 at 9.99 each with curtain clips from Ikea to clip them together and hang onto 2 inexpensive curtain rods (hung side by side) from Walmart. The whole expense was less than 160.00. One could use any inexpensive fabric for the background coloured curtain. This is a no sew project. I've used tablecloths as panels or sheets as fabric. The thing is by using clips you don't need to sew and can use any flat piece of fabric from anywhere including goodwill. The lace overlay dresses it up. I actually have used a double curtain rod with lace panels alone as the sheers on the back rod and the fabric with the lace on top for the front rod. Here's how they turned out.

Teresa Munday · Answer

I would use shower curtains. There are some beautiful ones out there buy (3) rods  leave off the decorative ends off one  put them together with dowel rods inside the end pieces and the middle ones. I would put a support brace in the middle as well.

Ann · Answer

I would make three Roman shades for the window.  There is a great tutorial on 33shadesofgreen.com.  Easy to pull up during the daytime and down at night.

MaryAnn B · Answer

It looks like you have separation between each set of windows.  I would treat them separately.  I have used table cloths and they work well. Much less expensive than buying fabric. In my house each window has separate wood blinds.  I hung tablecloth panels between each window and at the ends. Each panel has their own decorative rod.

Bar3069411 · Answer

I covered a whole wall, floor to ceiling, side to side. Use patio draw curtain rods. They come wide. Use one left draw and one right draw, meeting in the middle. Then make or buy drapes to fit. You can open each side independently and they look great even partially open.

Linda Johnson · Answer

You could find sheets and make curtains. A King size sheet will cover a lot of area. I've done this. In order to have privacy, when we open our curtains, we put one way mirror film on our windows, which helps insulate them.

Margolynluvsu · Answer

I have a similar problem but I spray painted mine with glass etching paint,  it keeps the glare out of my kitchen, and top part of my windows in the bedroom and covers an ugly outside scene without getting rid of all light.  I used a stencil on the smaller windows for interest and all of it can be removed later if I want to change it.

Funnygirl · Answer

Some inexpensive rattan roll up shades would look really nice.I would purchase 3 blinds.Once you hang those,which are very easy to hang,you may want to add drapes on each end,with a matching valance on top to bring it all together.Watch the cords,cut them if you have kids.Great look !

Karen Langston Bevill · Answer

I used 2in wide aluminum blind the put curtains on each side.  The 2in look like wood blinds but do not require a split in the middle.  Gives me a full view instead of chopping it up.

Gail_riggio · Answer

I would cover the 2 side windows with regular draperies. The large window in the middle with a complimentary color or print. If you want to accent the woodwork around the window you could use curtain rods inside the casing of the window. A way to save money with curtain rods is to buy wooden closet rods that any hard ware store will cut for you and attach a wood or glass finiall on each end.

Mary Ann Hayes · Answer

My approach would be to block most of the view of the neighboring house and their heat pumps, sacrificing as little light as possible.  Sheers, tightly gathered on rods would do that.  My preference would be vertical blinds.  These are stock items at Lowe's and Home Depot.  Their stores in metro areas have a good variety.  The Levolor S-curve vanes look especially nice.  With the plain or S-curve verticals, you can tilt the vanes enough to garner light and block most of the view.

Denise Powell · Answer

Have you thought of paint on Stain Glass

Ginger the farm gal · Answer

I would do cafe style all the way across the bottom with a valance on top. Using 3 rods
You can make them your self or buy matching twin size sheets and cut in half and hem.

Kathleen.woollcott · Answer

Plain white sheers to block view and allow light in and drop clothes from big box home diy store, neutral and great weight for drapes to cover entire window. Both floor to ceiling.

Rita · Answer

Sorry folks I think nothing is more beautiful than wood slat blinds. My preference is the medium dark wood tone. They set the room with a soft ambient mood once they are adjusted. The drapery rod can then be extended beyond the window with drapes to soften the hardness of all the wood.

MaryAnn B · Answer

This is my front windows. White wood blinds, panels made with damask tablecloths to match my color scheme. Note: rods are close to ceiling and panels go all the way to the floor. Dreary day here in the Pacific Northwest.

Vicki · Answer

A 2' blind in the large center can be cut to size at the local Home Depot or Lowes if you purchase it there. Mount it from the inside top and be sure to use the center brace that comes with it for such a long expanse. Curtains for the end Windows can be made easily in a myriad of different styles or purchased ready made almost anywhere. The popular grime the style curtains could be hung from a rod mounted inside window or above. 2 panels come in a package. They look best when they are 21/2 times the width of the window width.  You can cover this window for $75-$100 beautifully. Cheaper if you luck up at Goodwill or Redtore.  Hoodluck. PS The blind you need is at my Goodwill for $7!!!

Julie · Answer

I ended up going with three bamboo shades to cover most the window. I the used four curtains, 2 to frame and two to cover up here the blinds went together.  I really like it! And it didn't cost too much!  Thanks for all the suggestions!

Julie · Answer

Thanks for the advice!  This is what I ended up doing!  I might try some more fun curtains but I'm really happy with how it turned out!

Ali Kay · Answer

I think it looks great! The dark blinds with the contrasting white curtains is really pretty!⭐⭐⭐

David · Answer

Not sure about shades, but if you want a light airy look but not sheers use king size microfibre sheets, you don't even have to sew depending on the length. You can use the curtain rings with the pinch clips.

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