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Awkward Windows and Doors? We've Got You Covered
Arched windows, French doors and sidelights get their due with treatments that keep their beauty out in the open
Houzz Contributor. Shane Inman is president and senior principal interior designer of The Inman Company. After earning a B.A. in interior design from Michigan State University, he started his career specializing in custom kitchen and bath design. He is a certified interior designer by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), a certified kitchen designer by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and also holds the highest-ranking memberships with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).
Houzz Contributor. Shane Inman is president and senior principal interior... More »
Every home has windows and doors that are not so simple to cover, such as front doors with large windows and adjacent sidelights, or gorgeous arched windows. They might add to the beauty of a home and supply natural sunlight into interiors, but they might not offer much privacy, and the sunlight can damage possessions.
Here are some of the best solutions to cover these architectural features without hiding their true character.
Here are some of the best solutions to cover these architectural features without hiding their true character.
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| Drapery over French doors. If you have French doors in a room that requires privacy, add floor-to-ceiling drapery panels to each side to create the illusion that your door is actually a picture window. Tip: If your space doesn't require privacy, add stationary drapery panels to simply soften the space. |
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| Blinds on a sliding glass door. Cellular shades make great covers for sliding glass doors that need full privacy. Cellular shades also act as insulation, protecting your home from cold and heat with their energy-saving honeycomb design. Tip: Carry the same shade to other windows in the same room for a professional, cohesive look. |
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by Andrea Meyers
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| Fabric on a front door. A front door set close to passing traffic or a nearby neighbor may need a slight amount of privacy. Add sheer fabric over the door's window to allow light in but obscure visibility. Tip: A cinched, full sheer treatment has a very traditional look. Try stretching the fabric taut for a more contemporary flair. |
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by sherry hart
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| Draperies over arched windows. Figuring out how to cover arched windows — for privacy or aesthetics — can be difficult. Try this simple method: Install a drapery rod above the arch and let the drapery panels lie on the sides when they're not in use. Tip: For draperies in hard-to-reach places (such as behind furniture), place the fabric on a traversing rod so you can open and close them with a cord. |
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| Louvered shutters on arched windows. For oversize arched windows in rooms that scream for privacy, install custom-made louvered shutters for a professional fit. Tip: Custom shutters elevate the design of any room, as they look more like an architectural element than a window treatment. |
| Fabric on arched windows. Privacy may not be an issue in some rooms, but light control usually is. Use a sheer fabric to manage sun filtration on your arched windows. This well-known traditional window treatment has fabric fanned out at the top and gathered at the bottom center in a decorative knot. Tip: The heavier the fabric you use for the window treatment, the more light you will block. Take the direction in which your room faces into account — south-facing rooms usually require more light control. |
| Fabric over sidelights. Treat sidelights with drapery panels. Simple drapes create a spectacular look that can cover the entire door if necessary. Tip: If you have clerestory windows, like in this photo, install the draperies just underneath them to save on the cost of fabric. |
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Frosted glass sidelights. If your entryway could use just a touch of privacy, consider using frosted glass instead of traditional transparent glass.
Tip: Frosted glass tends to have more of a contemporary feel, but other glass options offer more of a traditional look. You'll often see seeded glass (glass with tiny air bubbles) in traditional applications.
Tip: Frosted glass tends to have more of a contemporary feel, but other glass options offer more of a traditional look. You'll often see seeded glass (glass with tiny air bubbles) in traditional applications.
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Wooden blinds over sidelights. Add wooden blinds over your sidelights to block all the light with just a pull of a string. They work great for front porches with shared entrances.
Tip: Wooden blinds come in many wood species and finishes. Unify your entire interior design by matching your blinds with your interior base moldings and window casings.
Tip: Wooden blinds come in many wood species and finishes. Unify your entire interior design by matching your blinds with your interior base moldings and window casings.
Ideabook published on Oct. 15, 2012.
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In a beautiful living room with a huge arched window (see photos) the problem was not just the light, but more the damaging UV light. The window was several years old and not protected to the extent that new windows are. And because of the view and the look we were after, utilitarian window coverings just wouldn't cut it.
I used your solution of traverse draperies that hang to the sides but can be pulled close, but to combat the sun I found a sheer-ish fabric by Perennials that actually has UV inhibitors woven right in. The fabric is nice on its own, but wasn't quite the glamour quotient we were after for the space. So, I found a beautiful textured sheer from Kravet to use as an over-layer. The result is a beautiful drapery that billows like a ballgown!