No sheers. You could do stationary roman blinds in a pretty fabric if you feel the room needs something.

No sheers. What would be the purpose? They look dated and cheap.

You could add actual drapery panels to the bay window over the shutters for color.

It's unfortunate the rug you selected doesn't have a bit more color to help anchor the room.

Just a bit more color really helps the room.

I love sheer curtains--they soften and dress up a room without the heaviness of other materials, and also don't block the light. I think they would work very well in your dining room.

I agree with Diana.

Sheers would look soft and lovely in your room. I’d just do a continuous rod.

She didn't say sheer curtains, she said sheers. There's a difference.

These are sheers

These below are sheer draperies.

Are you being serious, Beverly?

I like sheers too. They add softness and can add color also.

Sorry the heavy shutters kind of defeat any softness that would have happened with the sheer curtans I donot think the shutters belong with the srtyle of the room sheers and silk drapes would have suited the space much better . .

I fail to see the difference between "sheers" and "sheer draperies."

The heading on the "sheers," the fullness, and the way they are mounted are important, and result in a window treatment that can be either nicely done or cheap-looking.

You can get reasonably priced, extra-wide pinch pleat white sheer curtains from the Vermont Country Store, if you don't want to spring for custom made. They are very well made and hang beautifully.

Here they are mounted on poles and rings:

Windows and Window Treatments · More Info

Fan of sheers on a window. I agree with Jilly and Diana

Adding softness and bringing in the light. 😊

(Sheer or Sheer curtains sometimes there is confusion in translations or terms for some non designers)

IMO the only reason to add any window coverings is if privacy is needed.

No sheers needed.

I don't know. I think a lot of rooms look and sound "hard", especially dining areas, because there's no textiles in them at all. Drapes are "dated", sheers are "cheap". Carpets are "gross". Everybody hates everything that's not a hard surface. Houses are big echo chambers these days.

As for privacy, same thing. People act as if the only time anyone could want possibly any privacy is if they have to walk in front of a window completely naked. I don't care if I am only eating dinner or reading a book or watching TV. I might not want every single person who walks by seeing me do it. And I don't necessarily want to make the room completely dark by closing something either.

And sometimes you need light control. My kitchen does not need any window treatments because they are all clerestory windows. No one can see in; I only have tree branch views looking out. But at a certain time of day the sun burns through that window and it's blinding. I don't want to block all light, I don't want a film that makes it look dark outside when it's not. I have that at work and it looks like it's going to rain all the time. I am probably going to have to get a solar shade.

I would find the ”weightiness” of many of the items in the room, from the chairs, chandelier and shutters, would make the sheers appear too flimsy.

The dining room is very nice but does look like it needs some softer textures.

If you have a green thumb, I would consider putting a tall plant in that bay in a fabulous pot. A bird of paradise, monstera or a palm might work.

So well said, palimpsest! Proclaiming hard and fast "rules" that aren't really rules is not helpful. There's no one perfect way to decorate a room, and whether you use window treatments or not is dependent on what else is going on in the room, and your personal preference and budget. Privacy, light control, contrast and just plain decoration are good reasons for installing window treatments.

Yes, deegw, greenery is a great way to (literally) add life to a room.

I vote for sheers. They add some softness and privacy.

I'm not anti-sheer, but I agree with HU-121436380. In this room, they are going to look flimsy and incongruous. Sheers paired with shutters make no sense to me--they both serve the functions of filtering light and giving privacy, so together they are a bit redundant. Actual drapes make more functional sense and give better balance to the room.

To my eye, any drapery panels need to echo the feel of the room. It’s formal, substantial scale furniture and art pretty much demand formal drapery if you use them at all. Sheers do not stand up to the “weight” of the room. It’s very lovely and perhaps a combination of a nice full panel (stationary) on each end of the bay window with a great wide leaf plant would work well to achieve balance and interest.

If you really want to elevate the look of this room, the only thing I would add would be a wallpaper on all the walls.

I'm a big fan of sheers. I have them on the DR picture window (no shades or shutters) to cut the west sun and the up-close landscape, with velveteen panels on either side. I can move the sheers to the side when I watch it snow. No need for privacy there. Perfect.

I also like them in a bedroom to provide softness to the surroundings.

I'm conflicted though, because you have shutters. The bay window also presents some design challenges. Have you chosen sheers because they might be easier to mount than panels?

Hi, thank you for your question, short answer is panels have not yet come to mind, I like your idea of panels.

Flo, Thank you for the picture of the drapery and plant. All good advice.

Beverly FLA, The area rug you posted is gorgeous. Where would it be found, I’d love to read about it. Yes, my rug looks anemic compared to the one you posted.

I believe Rugs Direct is offering some discount currently. Unfortunately, it's synthetic.

https://www.rugs-direct.com/Details/OrientalWeavers-Andorra-9818G/139790

Oriental Weavers Andorra Beige/ Ivory Oriental Indoor Area Rug 10'X13'2" · More Info

The rug would actually work in our quest room. Don’t care if it’s synthetic in there. Thank you for sharing. Dining rug is a hand knotted wool from Pakistan. Just bought it 3 months ago….I can’t tell my husband about how much prettier your rug suggestion looks in the dining room than the one we bought.

Secluded, everyone has their own taste in home furnishings which is a good thing. I really like the rug you chose for your dining room. It's an appropriate size for that space, it complements the dining room furniture beautifully and its muted color palette does NOT fight with the fabric (perhaps an embroidered or brocade) on the back of the end chairs. I think you made an excellent choice for that room.

I like the rug in the dining room too. It’s really beautiful and is a nice counterpoint to the chairs and elegant chandelier. The room and the pieces you have are beautiful. Sometimes, you just have to stop and enjoy. That’s pretty much where I believe you are now! Beautiful!!

Panels would look nice. and finishes the look. Take a look at her webisite kinseywalsh.com

Actually I think the rug that you chose is perfect. Subtle and beautiful work of art that complements the furniture.

Yes, your current rug is more subtle than some others, but it’s pretty perfect. I think with the fabric in the back of the chairs, more subtle works well.

Thank you RedRyder, Liasch, Jayapple, and last but not least Flo for the kind comments about the new DR rug and space.

Thank you everyone, I’ve made a decision to not add a window treatment, I’m thankful for your suggestions, pictures and vote.

Glad to be of some help along with my fellow “Houzzer” buddies! Keep us posted on future developments or projects! Thanks!

Hi Flo. Will do Flo, since you said that, I could post another dilemma. I am contemplating whether or not to buy a very specific pillow fabric I have on hand or look for a new fabric that is a totally new color direction. I’ll post later tonight.

So glad you made a decision. No window treatment” is a good idea.

Lots of people on here just keep on going with new projects (although it seems some people take exception to that idea) but I think you could just keep going with the next thing on your plate. Then we get to know your house and your style. your dining room is beautiful… Very elegant and I think it works nicely with no curtains.

Agree with liasch. It's super fun to see some Houzzers pull their homes together one area at a time. Given how lovely your dining room is, I'm sure we'll enjoy your next project.