Hi,
I hang the curtains wide and tuck some of it behind the radiators. The link shows my living room curtains. Scroll down. I've since removed the radiator cover.

Here is a link that might be useful: Curtains near radiators

Steam radiators get really hot! Be careful letting fabric touch them. It's hot enough to discolor the fabric. Use a rad cover all the way across the window sill and then curtains that end just above that. Look on houzz for short windows and you will find several non floor length curtain pics. You might also consider blinds, shutters and the like.

I have the same problem and find that the rads work best when I have several inches of wall above them.

I've used long panels and just used tie backs to hold them back from the radiators.

It's a kind of old-fashioned look, I guess, since the modern trend is long panels that hang straight down, but the tie backs, or hold backs if you prefer those, are usually period appropriate in a house old enough to have radiators.

Sometimes I want sheers in addition to the panels, and I get those at windowsill length.

In the summer, you can just let the panels hang straight down. It's only in heating season that you need to deal with the radiators.

One thing to consider is why you want the window treatments? Are they mostly for "pretty," in that you want some fabric to soften the room? Or will you be using them, i.e. drawing the curtains, to cut glare on a tv or darken a room for sleeping?

Because if you need functional, as opposed to decorative, window treatments, you can also explore mini-blinds, wood blinds, roller shades, and Roman shades.

The radiators in my 1900 house were replaces with baseboard radiator by a previous owner. Every inch of outside wall has a baseboard radiator on it, which means that every single window has one under it. I've switched over to Roman shades instead of panels, to avoid the awkward look of a panel that stops several inches short of the floor.

Thankyou for helping! I was unable to see your blog, Chardie, but it sounds like what I have done in my LR and sunroom, but the kids and husband in my life are always moving the panels and I have to repleat them to look good agin:(.
I have a few tie back curtains in the bedrooms and I like the look in my home the problem is so few window panels come with tie backs anymore. I could try window hooks or tassels.
I just picked up some 63inch panels to try out in my dining room but they feel a little casual, I think.

And here is a picture of the long curtains that were there to begin with.

I would not use panels anywhere or at any length with that window seat.

Use long panels on either side, then a roman shade in a matching or complementary fabric on the window over the radiator.

"Use long panels on either side, then a roman shade in a matching or complementary fabric on the window over the radiator."

Ummm... that is the second photo, no? That is what the OP does NOT like, and wants something else.

I took Marcolo to mean using panels only on the unobstructed windows and a matching fabric blind over the radiator sea? I will try that in the dining room. I also have a valance that fits the two window seat windows in the black and white toille used in the seat I will try out tonight. I did not keep it up for I thought it was a bit busy for the room which is already abit busy with the moldings and red paint.

Thanks you for your help and opinions. I hope they keep coming and pictures of how you handled such a problem are so helpful too.

Thanks

I was going to suggest what marcolo already said. Curtain holdbacks would also work if you want to keep the long panels. I think they would look charming around your window seat.

This post was edited by geokid on Mon, Apr 15, 13 at 21:34