Need help with curtains for formal living room!

12 years ago

We have tons of windows in our formal living room but I need help figuring out how many panels to get on each "cluster" of windows - there's a 4-window cluster, two singles, and another 3-window cluster. Questions:
- For the 4-window cluster, should I do 3 panels - one on either side and one in the middle?
- For the singles, do I need 2 panels for each single window or is one enough? What side should each be on?
- For the 3-window cluster, are 2 panels OK - one on either side?
- What's the rule on how long they should be? Kissing the floor, or with extra material pooling at the bottom? They are pretty exact for 96" but if I hung them higher, I could probably get away with 106"

HELP!

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Comments (12)

PRO
Stanfield Shutter
12 years ago
May I suggest an alternate option, you have beautiful trim around your windows, have you considered interior shutters? We offer an array of styles, we color match as well. Because of the size and style of your windows a 4.5" louver or slat would look beautiful, as well as accent the room. Here is an example of a roddless feature that we offer
jck910
12 years ago
Do you not like with out curtains? If you do panels, the 4 cluster has very little wall space at the corners thus your panel would cover a good deal of both end windows. You seem to have a nice view out all three clusters so even the shutters shown above would obstruct the view. You also need to move the sofa back so only the front legs are on the rug. Is the rug new? You may be able to get the warmth you would normally get from window treatments from a larger move colorful rug. Just some ideas to think about. Curious what others will offer
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cfoster123
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks so much! I'm just looking to warm up the place and have the option for some additional privacy so people can't just look into our living room as they please! Even sheer curtains will help so yes I am pretty set on curtains. We are likely doing a new sofa and rug so don't let that get in the way :) So for the 4 window cluster, do you think the 3 panels is appropriate?
PRO
Rachel @ Ethan Allen
12 years ago
Here are some other ideas
cfoster123
Original Author
12 years ago
in the 3rd pic, is that one continuous rod or 3 separate rods?
PRO
Rachel @ Ethan Allen
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
It is continuous. We have done this type of window treatment both in continuous and individual rods. We always recommend continuous for the clean visual line it creates.
User
12 years ago
That is a lot of fabric and if you get enough width to cover the windows properly, a lot of bulk and expense. Have you considered a combo of curtains and Roman blinds, or just woven Roman blinds hung to the crown that can either be up or down? Even woven roman blinds and decorative curtain panels at the sides would work. Seems like a shame to cover such beautiful and coveted windows. Don't puddle curtains, it looks fussy, just at the floor so they hang is best.
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cfoster123
Original Author
12 years ago
I guess I should have been more clear @bluenan as I was thinking of just doing decorative panels, not enough material to fully cover all the windows. It will definitely cover a little of the window but they're not meant to eliminate light, just soften the room a little and offer some privacy when we go away and dont want people to stare in. Do you think that's OK? I think it'll be too expensive to do roman shades and panels...thoughts?
User
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Most in stock panels are about 50" wide, so based on that I'd measure and see what you need to cover the windows, not necessarily what you'd need for typical fullness. Four panels for the double windows, three panels won't work because you need to be able to pull to each side. Two each for the single windows will look best, hung outside the frame to visually enlarge and not cover too much of the window when pulled back, and two might work for the triple window if pulled straight. I'd use a continuous rod for the larger sets of windows.
cfoster123
Original Author
12 years ago
@bluenan thanks! You are confirming what I had in mind. I was thinking though for the 4, doing 3 so long as I had a continuous rod - that way I can cover up that awkward strip of wall and minimize how much I cover the windows. Thoughts?
User
12 years ago
I didn't think the wall between the two sets of windows looked awkward, I'm trying to picture what three curtain panels would look like closed over the four windows and I'm not sure they'll even cover. It wouldn't be a conventional way, each panel should cover either one window or one half of one window. You would have one panel that would barely cover one half each of two windows and no panel would hit the window in the right place when closed. If you can afford it, I'd try to use four panels. You could try three and if it really looked odd you could buy one more. I know curtains and rods for all of those great windows gets costly, good luck!
cfoster123
Original Author
12 years ago
@bluenan you've been so helpful and I totally see what you're saying about the 4. I just worry to your point that the 2 together in the middle will take up too much space but I can see. Any suggestions on where to go for curtains? I usually look at ballard, horchow, pottery barn etc. Thanks again!