Window treatment for a really large bedroom window?

Question

This is my one bedroom window and it is almost literally half of that whole wall. I usually keep the blinds I have now open by a few inches to a foot because I like the light (there isn't an actual light fixture in my room) and because I have cats that like to look out the window. Most of the DIY window treatments I can find are those Roman shades- which I like but are basically the same as the roll up blinds I have now. Most curtains aren't big enough to cover the window, or are too expensive. 
 Also the window looks out to a path that most of the people who live in my apartment complex use daily. And the almost-bush thing that blocked people from directly looking into my room was just taken out. So my room is fully visible to passersby. 
 Guess I'm just looking for ideas? 
 Thanks.

Lavende · Answer

We have the same window...I've used lightweight linen curtains that I got at IKEA for $20. I bought three sets for two windows and put 3 on each. In one room I have cut the middle panel in half and sewn it to make two large curtain panels. In the other room I have one that hangs in the center...sounds strange but its actually really cute! The linen is thin enough that plenty of light comes through, but gives all the privacy we need. I prefer them to blinds...easy to clean, and give almost a soft glow to the room during the day.

Sheila Conlon · Answer

Oh you can use a light fabric Roman Shade that way you can open just little or just have filtered light shine through

Moxie · Answer

I would put some of the decorative film (it goes on with only water and is removable) to the glass and the leave the blinds up a little more. It can be removed without damage to the glass; mutes the light and obscures vision but give privacy.

Jeanette S · Answer

Since you are trying to accommodate cats, there is a frosted film you can buy at the big box stores that goes on windows with water (people often use this in bathrooms). You could put it on the window except for a couple of small areas at the bottom so the cats can see out. Then you can open the blind during the day if you want light and place a decorative object in front of the clear spot of glass or lower the blind when you want privacy. There are instructions on taking it off when you want to change it out. You can even get his film in beautiful patterns and colors.

Merry D · Answer

Oh, we're going through this ourselves. One solution is heavy drapery, but it gets old having the cats drag it aside so we're exposed to the new rear neighbors. I'm considering either shutters that can be left open when we aren't in the room, or ordering one of those accordion shades that can lift from the bottom or pull down from the top. I believe you can order them through Penneys or any of the online blind stores. These can be raised for the cats or lowered to let light in the room but maintain your privacy. I paid $79. for smaller ones so I know they're spendy, but worth the price for your privacy.

Dam345262 · Answer

I have  a big picture  window, I used mirror  film which looks  great , keeps  cold and  hot out  filters  light ,and  no one  can  see inside  , but  you   can see outside .I  used   2  very light panel  curtains   on  each side  and looks   great....

CHERYL ELLIS · Answer

There are blinds and shades that you can open from the top and/or bottom that leave the center closed.

Lisa · Answer

I have the same window x2 in our bedroom with the mini blinds on them. I just put up a double rod with sheers and stationary panels for around $180 dollars. I got the rods and panels at Shopko. They are an oatmeal color that goes nicely with the taupey grey the walls are painted. And the sheers I bought at Walmart. They are crinkle textured with a very light floral pattern on them in green, grey, light brown and darker brown.  I keep the blinds down until I am ready in the morning and then open them to let all the wonderful light in. The sheers stay closed all day.

Tuzwoo · Answer

have someone make a wood frame for you, or buy shutters and staple fabric over them, put hinges on them and there you go, you could cover it like 'art' or as a curtain. I would use 2 sets of smaller ones and keep the top open for the light during the day, and the bottom closed for privacy.if the cats want to be in the window and you do not need to have them closed ,open for them.
if you get a lot of sun in the window you might want to use a lined fabric to cut fuel costs. it will also darken the room for better sleeping.
I am doing this to my front window, but I will be making stained glass panels set into the wood frames.

Cyndy B · Answer

All of our window coverings consist of a shelf with holes in the brackets to place the 'rod' - which is a piece of electrical conduit that we painted to match the shelf!  We like the distressed look but you can do it in whatever finish you prefer.  My curtains are 'poor man's linen' aka dropcloths!  I love them - cheap plus easy to install and maintain/clean.   The hooks are from Walmart and there are several finishes available.  Google dropcloth curtains and diy curtain rods - there are a bunch of tutorials out there better than I could explain....but I promise it's an inexpensive and fun way to do your windows!!  Hope these pictures help, sorry for the quality....I try but am just not a photographer!  ;)

Donna Snyder · Answer

Make a cornice of your desire out of core board and duct tape and pad it with batting and cover with fabric of choice.  You will be surpised what a glue gun can accomplish.  You will need 3 L brackets to hang it.  Use the same blinds.

Joyce Galloway Parker · Answer

I have three bay windows in my bedroom, the one in the center is large, and there is a small one on each side of it. I wanted to have complete privacy at night, yet still be able to allow the light in during the day. So I hung shades in the back, then mini blinds in front of the shades, then hung sheers over the blinds. This way I can adjust the amount of light during the day, and have total privacy at night, and the sheers hide the blinds and shades.

But I also have a window on each side of my bed, so to tie it all together, I used the same color scheme (and shades and mini blinds) with sheers. I then bought some extra long sheers in the same colors and draped them over the bed to give the wall some nice color. My bed is a king size, so the empty space over it just seemed 'too much' to me. But the draped sheers worked beautifully.

Joline Cosman · Answer

Just a thought. You might try to find shorter curtains-- maybe Ikea, and hang them from 2/3 height on the window, down. I love having light from over the curtain and privacy at the room level. If you use a rod that sticks out enough, you can accommodate the cats with maybe a little table in front, so they can go behind the curtain. I don't have a wide window, like yours is, but I made curtains, and drapes for mine. Here is a pic. My cat used to sneak behind it, and sit on the sill . I hung the drapes way up over the window, but did not ever close the blinds. Had, color, and privacy, and room for my cat.

Cherie · Answer

Yeah, we have cats so I know about the 'window view thing'. But I hung very pretty sheets on a rod with clips that I pull across at night (while still leaving the mini's just as you have them) - during the day the cats have the window to themselves as I pull the 'curtains' back. My cats had ruined 2 pairs of mini's plus some full size blinds as well just trying to see out! The mirror film is a good idea also.

MARY CHRISTINA · Answer

Buy two canvas Drop Cloths, you can wash them or leave them as is. I think the Drop Cloths might be about 7.00 for the smallest one and up to 15.00 for the larger ones. Oh, you can paint them too! Good luck!!!!

Lulu · Answer

how about hanging your drapes to cover entire wall? would be gorgeous!! make it a color and fabric u adore...can mix and match colors...even some fabrics like sheers in middle and heavier on ends..or 2 or 3 color drapes same fabric...and if u have a ledge...if u put prettywhatnots/collectibles across ledge...when drapes open people walking by will see whatnots on ledge before looking into room...fools the eyes....about the kitties...I dunno...I've got dog furbies who don't climb...hope it gives u a new perspective...enjoy!

Kippie · Answer

king size sheets work very well with little sewing.

Nancy Spencer Carlson · Answer

@Alicia O I can emphathize with your plight regarding the path outside the window... @Joline Cosman has a great idea about a half curtain hung on a deep rod. If you prefer a solid piece of curtain, you might try sewing a sheer panel to a solid panel, then put the rod placket on the SIDE of the sheer, making that the top of the curtain! It would be a 'color block' curtain with sheer on the top for light, and solid on the bottom for privacy. Hung on a 5' deep curtain rod (difficult to find... they are the ones used for valances  in a 3-curtain group) and the kitty can easily get behind them from the back of the sofa! 
I love Hometalk! We can build on a vast bunch of ideas!

Albert Leonard · Answer

Nice blog! This is a good idea.I used mirror film which looks great , keeps cold and hot out filters light ,and no one can see inside , but you can see outside .I have also designed my window with the help of 'reynascustomupholstery.com' which is the best company for window treatment service in Atlanta. you can see my window design here:

Kathie taylor · Answer

WOW! Nice job!!!!

Cynthia H · Answer

I couldn't find curtains I liked last year for my bathroom, so I purchased a lovely cloth shower curtain - it's long, full and attractive. I hung it from clips, so it was a no sew project. Plus, it's easy to remove and wash. Other ideas: dropcloth hung with clips: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/curtains/how-to-make-drop-cloth-curtains-with-a-no-sew-fabric-edge-516998 and here: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/curtains/no-sew-drop-cloth-curtains-with-toile-topper-1346808 I helped my daughter with simple drapes for her dining room - we bought king size flat sheets on sale. She still uses them, and they still look great, a few years later. Clips, again, eliminate any sewing, the hems are already there unless you want to alter them, and they wash like a dream.

Robbie · Answer

Custom 2' wooden shutters.  You can open the slats to let Ina little light open the entire set back...that way the cats can perch in the windows and these shutters are indestructible!

Lynn · Answer

Brylane Catalogue has beautiful semi sheer voile curtains for $8.99 a panel. I used white under and lt. blue on room side. love them.

Linda Barrett Dirksen · Answer

I have a very similar window with a bench in front. We hung high drapes to the floor, they hang behind the bench with metal tie backs. It works perfectly. We even had blinds up before. I'll try and post a photo.

Tillie Liukkonen · Answer

Just got rid of all the mini blinds in my house and replaced them all with vertical blinds. Love the ability to have just the amount of light and privacy I want at the same time.

Shirlee Pearce · Answer

I have always sewn all my curtains and drapes--mostly tie backs and they are easy. They are using grommets that fit over the rod a lot too. Check with someone you know who sews to see how to measure for fabric.

Dfm · Answer

think sheets....flat sheets. top hem- open it up at the sides, insert rod. you might need 2 top sheets for that window. measure window, double it's width. find enough of the same pattern/ color sheets to met the doubled width, or more. this will make the curtain a but fuller and obscure more of what is happening in the room.

if the top sheets don't cover the window completely, use 2 curtain rods and do a valance across the top, and the sheets on the lower half- folded to fit, and hang with curtain clips - little ring with clips to hold the fabric.

Gma Kirk · Answer

You could also check out the stained-glass looking window film. They have it at Lowe's or Home Depot. I've used them on side windows and in bathroom window that was inside the shower/tub ( yes, a window was in the shower. I know. How weird)

Suellen Hintz · Answer

I've just made monstrous curtains for our bedroom using king size sheets from Walmart, two of which I purchased at 50% off.  If you sew, this is what I recommend.

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