How to Dress a Window

Windows have one of the greatest impacts on an interior space but when it comes to dressing them, a plethora of decisions need to be made! From classic roman blinds to swinging panels, join us as we share our window dressing ideas as well as some tips for maximising natural light.

Curtains

A simple pleated fabric curtain adds texture and elegance. We love pairing blackout lining with a variety of fun fabrics to create a textured look. We always take a lath and fascia to the ceiling or just below the cornice, as this makes the ceiling appear higher. A lath and fascia is a hanging mechanism formed of a corded metal track that is fixed onto a board. The track is hidden from view by a 5 cm fascia. Extending the lath and fascia by 25 centimetres or more beyond the window frame is another great design trick. This means that windows won’t be blocked by the curtains when drawn open.

You can add a dressing to conceal or accentuate the shape of a window.

Regardless of a window sill’s height, we always recommend that the curtains ‘kiss’ the floor!

Sheers

Tucked behind the curtains, we often have sheer roller blinds to give flexibility for privacy and light filtering. Sheers fit snugly between the architrave of the window.

Roman Blinds

We love a roman blind! The key is to consider whether it’s best to mount a roman blind inside or outside the recess: An inside recess mounted roman blind sits within the window architrave, whilst one mounted outside helps to keep more light out by avoiding a gap.

Alternatively, sheers can be used on their own when you simply need some privacy.

Roman blinds make a great choice for kitchens, bathrooms and dressing rooms. For more tips and ideas about roman blinds, find our blog post here.

Swinging Panels

For windows with a round or unusual shape, a fabric panel is just the thing. We are obsessed with these petite windows in room 306 at Haymarket Hotel. Adorned in a fabric by Raoul Textiles, they block out the light when needed.

In one of our residential schemes, a window appears to be dressed with traditional curtains…

…but ingeniously, they swing inward to allow as much daylight into the room as possible. This solution means a textured window dressing, without compromising any natural light. It’s the best of both worlds and we love it!

So when it comes to windows, remember to consider shape, function, privacy and lighting. Happy window dressing!