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Help with Curtains for Difficult Windows

25 days ago
last modified: 25 days ago

Hello. I am having a hard time with the correct height to hang the curtains in my dining room and the sitting room that is open to the dining room. It is one large room divided by an arch and collumns. We have recently painted to rooms a deep green and would like to re-hang the original cream velvet curtains (possibly with a curtain trim). Because of the difficult Palladian window that extends into the crown moulding, I don't think I can hang them high under the crown moulding.


In the sitting room, the curtains were hung at the top of the window trim, below the semi-circular windows. On the opposite wall in the dining room, I hung the same cream velvet curtains right below the crown moulding. It always felt off and un-balanced to me to have the curtains hung at different heights.



This is a mock up showing the issue with hanging the curtains below the crown.



This is a mock up with the curtains hung at the trim level.



These are the windows on the opposite side of the room.


I am looking for feedback on the best way to hang the curtains in the two rooms which are open to each other. I am planning to use antique gold rods with a french return.


Thank you!

Comments (17)

  • PRO
    25 days ago



    Ann thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • 25 days ago

    Because you don't have room above the arched window, then the rod has to go below the arch. Partially covering the arch does not look right at all.

    This is why when I built my house I didn't add any arches to complicate things!

    Ann thanked chispa
  • 25 days ago

    Actually you may wish to consider a ceiling mount traverse track.

  • 25 days ago

    Adding: select a minimal profile in a white finish to match your ceiling and it really just visually ‘goes away’

    Ann thanked thinkdesignlive
  • 25 days ago

    @thinkdesignlive Thank you, I hadn’t thought of that. Would you do the same on the two windows on the opposite side of the room?

  • 25 days ago

    @Chispa Very smart decision on your part. I would not have chosen this window placement to cut into the crown moulding like it does, but the window itself lets in a lot of light. What height would you hang the curtains on the two windows on the opposite side of the room?

  • 25 days ago

    @BeverlyFLADeziner Thank you for the photo, that room is very pretty and peaceful. Would you extend the curtains to the corners in my room? What height would you hang the curtains on the two windows on the opposite side of the room?

  • 25 days ago

    Do you need privacy or light control or both?

  • 25 days ago

    @thinkdesignlive Thank you for asking. We need occasional privacy for the two windows in the dining room, but the curtains will remain open in both rooms most of the time.

  • 25 days ago

    Can you give measurements?

    In living room, if rod is placed at same height as horizontal trim below the arched window. What is that height?

    If you use that height in the dining room, where would the rod be?


    I would be inclined to place the rods were they work best for the room/windows and not worry that they aren't exactly the same. Most people will realize you had to go lower in the living room due to the issue with arched window & crown.

  • 25 days ago
    last modified: 25 days ago

    @chispa The height of the windows in the dining room is the same height as the rectangular part of the Palladian window. I'm adding before photos of both rooms. The dining room curtains were hung higher than the sitting room curtains before and it always felt off to me. I only had one panel on the outer edge of the windows on the advice of a designer I consulted who advised that I didn't have enough room in-between the windows for a panel on each side. Looking at he photo now, maybe that's what's bothering me? It doesn't feel right. I'm also adding pleating tape to the curtains so they will hang better.

    Before:



    Before:



    Thanks for looking at this with me. I appreciate the help!

  • 24 days ago

    The white curtains make your cream trim look dirty and I don't see what they relate to in your rooms. For me they stand out as the odd item.

    I would want 2 drapes at each window, but you won't have space for that cabinet, or anything else, on the remaining sliver of wall.

    Ann thanked chispa
  • 24 days ago

    Have you thought about top down bottom up matchstick Roman shades? You could leave them at the half way point most of the time and then brought up for full privacy when you need it. Don’t worry about the arched window at all.

    Ann thanked thinkdesignlive
  • 24 days ago

    Just saw a photo today of a ceiling mounted track and thought of this post:

    Ann thanked thinkdesignlive
  • 24 days ago

    Does ceiling mounted rod work with crown molding?

  • 23 days ago

    @thinkdesignlive Thank you for those ideas. I like the look of the ceiling track, but I think it might look off with the crown moulding as @lisaam suggests. The roman blind idea is also a good option. I appreciate getting ideas I would not have thought of on my own.

  • 23 days ago

    @chispa Thank you for that observation. I think you are completely correct. The cream curtains are not the right choice. I was trying to be frugal and make them work, but based on the feedback I have received here, I have decided to pivot and use a fabric with print for the curtains. I have been looking at fabrics to reupholster the red chairs, and I have one that might be beautiful on the windows. Thanks, All!