Need advice how to hang curtain with window frame.

Question

My bedroom has these two tall windows with frames around the windows. I want to hang some light curtains but I am not sure how tall should I place the rods. I wanted to place it close to the ceiling, but I like the molding header and so I thought about placing the rod just in the middle of the frame so the molding header will show. Is it a good plan, or it will look weird? Any advice is very much appreciated.

Susie Becony · Answer

I would use a single rod - maybe a wooden dowel that you could paint to blend in with the wall color.. Place it close to ceiling and then when you open curtains, you will see the mouldings, the rod would 'disappear' but you would stll have a softer look when closed..

Janice · Answer

i would go left to right curtains, ceiling to above floor trim. or i'd have vertical blinds ceiling to above floor trim.

Rugsville · Answer

I think this guide can help you- http://www.homedecorexpert.com/2014/02/how-to-hang-curtains-like-pro.html

Adrianne C · Answer

I'd hate to hide the trim work, I'd put the curtain rods inside the window frames.

MM&D · Answer

That trim is gorgeous all the way around. Maybe no curtains, maybe really nice blinds like plantation that go with the trim really nice wooden ones.

Ruth james · Answer

My husband made ALL the window frames from oak after we had a house fire and I have since hated to cover them. I use spring tension rods in all my windows and I can put them any level I want!!!

Polly Zieper · Answer

There's so much to look at with the wide molding, I think you could hang curtains above it, or acroass it, even if some of the molding gets hidden.

V Valencia · Answer

If you really like the molding then I would do as someone suggest and install window covering within the window space. However, if you want fabric....I am thinking a rod across the top and drapery on either side of the windows and in the center. This way these two windows would look like one large window. I would have the rod extend inches beyond the windows so that you can expose as much of the molding as possible.

Jeanette S · Answer

I love your molding and would NEVER cover it up. Since you do not need curtains for privacy and want them only to soften, look for some simple metal short rods that can be sawed to desired length and then put up one on the left and one on the right of the 2 windows slightly above the top of the molding (you are not going to close the curtains so your molding is seen.) Or if you want more, get 1 rod that extends all the way across, place it just above the molding but put curtains only on each side of each window...but they do not close.

Opal · Answer

I agree with the previous posts, don't cover the lovely frames and molding. Use inside tension rods.

Z · Answer

It's hard to tell from your pictures, but if possible, I would recommend using Twist & Fit curtain rods. You can find them decorative: http://imagecdn-2.findnsave.com/228/3030246-420 Or plain: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41iaRcj-mnL._SY300_.jpg They are made by Levelor.

Sue Ellemor · Answer

I would hang curtains from a standard ceiling fixed track. (same colour or close to the ceiling colour). Long curtains retain the height of the room and grace the windows really well. I would have 1 pair of curtains across the 2 windows which open in the centre either hand traverse or with a cord pull (on the LHS) When the curtains are open you will see the lovely moulding of the frames and the cornices as well.

Loretta · Answer

If you want you could hang the curtains close to the ceiling, three pair, one panel on each side and two panels hanging in the blank space between the windows. It would make the room look bigger also the windows look bigger. Measure the distance between the windows and divide it in half and then extend the outsides almost that far. It will look good that way too.

C · Answer

You could do something like this... http://homeguides.sfgate.com/mounting-curtain-rods-inside-window-frame-53509.html

A · Answer

@C that is just what I did! I installed the valance first using a thin board, then wide slatted wooden blinds under.

Hope · Answer

I would put 1 rod across both windows, about halfway between the molding of the top of the window and the crown molding. Then put one panel on the left and one panel on the right, maybe just white crinkled sheers.

Sue Pountney · Answer

I agree with Hope !

V Valencia · Answer

Here's a picture from @Corey @ Hey There Home that shows my suggested window treatment well....

163130 · Answer

I would do an inside mount using a roman shade or one that is similar to them but more with a ruched effect rather than the pleated look as with roman shades.

Liliana Wells · Answer

I like Becky's and Kat's ideas. Or you could also hang a simple panel, no gathering, inside the frame with a tension rod with fabric complementing the bedspread or other fabrics in the room. Or if you need privacy consider window film and remove the blinds. Just search for 'decorative window film'. There are lots of nice choices online.

Kim Dagenais · Answer

I really like V Valencia idea with three panels. Or I would install a long silver rod close to the ceiling, and hang two panels. One on the left side of the left window, and the other on the right side of the right window. You already have blinds, so no need to close any of the panels/drapes. Just use the panels/drapes for decorative purposes during the day, and before you sleep, close the curtains to block out more light if needed.

Irish53 · Answer

A suspension rod inside the window for a light weight curtain, like a white sheer is what I did. No damage to the molding and it keeps and dust from settling on the blinds. i wouldn't put any screw holes in the molding you might want to repair later. I kept the curtain to fit to exactly over the blinds.

Irish53 · Answer

A pastel color to match the bed spread would add just a touch of color to the room.

CarolinaM · Answer

Thanks everyone for your great ideas. I would love to add a tension rod so the curtain would stay inside the window. However, with the blinds in place there is no space for it. So the rod has to be outside the window frame. I don't want to get a rid of the blinds and I don't want to damage the frame either. I also love the idea of adding a long rod to cover both windows and the middle portion in between them, but I don't want to lose that little wall as I've already have beautiful art I want to hang there. I want to add some softness to the room, with light curtains, so I've decided that I will place the rod in the middle of the frame header having the rods come off about 3 inches on each side of the window. Thanks so much for all your input!

Janet Smith · Answer

It would be a shame to hide the woodwork around those windows!

Just the Right Touch · Answer

@V Valencia, just what I was thinking. The 3 panels will give the illusion that the windows are larger.

Lori · Answer

Inside the window.  What did you do?

Kim · Answer

Perhaps you could have your curtain rod extend almost across the wall and then hang 3 curtain panels to make the windows appear as if it is one large window. Hang a panel on either side and one in the middle.

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