Window treatments are not just decorative. They can provide light and privacy control and help keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer without wasting energy. Curtains, drapes, shades, blinds, or shutters are all great options. Find the perfect solution for your interior with these window treatment ideas for every budget, style, and space.
What is the most popular window treatment today? Roller shades are popular solutions for modern windows. Affordable and easy to use, roller shades can be rolled up and down manually or by remote control. Solar shades are a variation of roller shades that offer protection against UV rays. 01 of 56 Roller Shades and Shutters In this space from deVOL Kitchens, slim built-in painted window shutters can be closed at night for total privacy or on very hot days to reduce the interior temperature without turning up the AC. A semi-transparent roller shade on the lower half of the window obscures the view from the outside without entirely blocking the view from within. 02 of 56 All-White Curtains In this all-white bedroom from Leanne Ford Interiors, floor-to-ceiling curtains on the wall behind the bed start at the ceiling and puddle on the floor, creating a cloud-like feel. Curtains can add color and contrast to a room or blend in with the existing color scheme. 03 of 56 Floral Roman Shade A colorful Roman shade in a floral pattern softens the black framed windows of this laundry room from Michelle Berwick Design. Roman blinds work well as permanent window dressing, especially on fixed windows that don’t get opened and closed frequently. 04 of 56 Wooden Shutters Interior window shutters from deVOL Kitchens have an integrated feel and are like part of the architecture. While there is an upfront cost to investing in wooden shutters, they’re easy to maintain and will pay off over time. 05 of 56 Warm Neutral Curtains Tyler Karu Design + Interiors added curtains to a room with wrap-around windows to add privacy and create an inviting feel. They chose a warm neutral fabric that doesn’t weigh down the room and complements natural wood tones. 06 of 56 Hand-Painted Curtains Forbes + Masters kept a traditional approach modern with painted curtains and wallpaper in the same pattern. Tall wainscotting painted bright white helps keep things bright and prevents the pattern from overwhelming. 07 of 56 Light-Blocking Layers Louis Duncan-He Designs layered window blinds and lightweight curtains to filter and block light in this moody basement bar and lounge space.08 of 56 – Wall of Curtains
Design by Cathie Hong Interiors. Photo by Talitha Photos. Create a seamless look in a primary bedroom by installing a wall of curtains behind the bed. Cathie Hong Interiors hung neutral pleated curtains in this primary bedroom that anchor the bed. Curtain Maintenance Curtains need to be dusted regularly and cleaned periodically in order to keep them looking their best. Continue to 9 of 56 below 09 of 56 – Cellular Shades Design by Cathie Hong Interiors. Margaret Austin Photo. If your windows face the street, consider installing cellular shades that can be easily raised or lowered depending on the time of day depending on the light and amount of privacy that you require. Or hang Roman shades from the lower panel of a window with a fixed window at the top to preserve light and views, like this living room from Cathie Hong Interiors. 10 of 56 – White Blinds Design by Sissy + Marley Interior Design. Photo by Marco Ricca Studio. Match your window blinds to your window trim and walls for a seamless look. This crisp bathroom design from Sissy + Marley Interior Design has a strict palette of black and white that includes adjustable blinds on the windows that practically disappear. 11 of 56 – Window Film Pluck Kitchens. Opaque privacy glass or removable window film can be used directly on the window panes themselves as an alternative to window dressing such as curtains or blinds. Pluck Kitchens gave the bottom third of this large window a sense of privacy while leaving the upper two-thirds of the window open to allow natural light to flood in. 12 of 56 – High-Placed Curtains Kate Marker Interiors. Stoffer Photography. Hang your curtains above the windows to draw the eye upward and make ceilings seem taller and any room airier. Kate Marker Interiors paired white linen curtains with slim black metal rods for a tailored look that highlights the room’s vaulted ceilings and exposed beams. Continue to 13 of 56 below 13 of 56 – Wooden Blinds Design by Cathie Hong Interiors. Photo by Talitha Photos. Wooden blinds are classic, versatile, easy to wipe clean, and will hold up over time. The corner windows in this space from Cathie Hong Interiors are equipped with wooden blinds that match the wood-framed windows and echo the view of trees beyond the windows. 14 of 56 – Colorful Patterned Curtains Mary Patton Design. Curtains can either blend into the wall like wallflowers or make a statement by introducing color or pattern to the room. Mary Patton Design hung emerald green curtains in a striking pattern to add personality to the space and complement blush pink walls. 15 of 56 – Loosely Woven Shades Becca Interiors. Loosely woven natural shades help to control light while adding warmth to a neutral space like this coastal farmhouse living room from Becca Interiors. In a room with abundant south-facing sunlight, consider more opaque shades or solar shades made from UV-resistant material that will block harsh direct rays. 16 of 56 – Contrasting Blinds and Trim Design by Sissy + Marley Interior Design. Photo by Marco Ricca Studio. Pair black blinds with white trim for a graphic contemporary look.Discover 56 window treatment ideas tailored to fit any budget, space, and style. This kids’ room from Sissy + Marley Interior Design showcases black shutters on the window, white window trim and walls, and a graphic black-and-white wallpaper accent for a cohesive feel. 17 of 56: Patterned Solar Shades. Designed by Martha O’Hara Interiors and photographed by Troy Thies, solar shades can block UV rays in any space and come in a range of colors, styles, and transparencies. A patterned roller shade adds interest to this basement bar window. 18 of 56: Sheer Curtains. Design and photo by Ajai Guyot for Emily Henderson Design. Simple curtains are an affordable purchase or an easy DIY project for those who like to sew. Sheer curtains frame a small window in this apartment living room, creating a focal point. 19 of 56: Color-Coordinated Shades. Emily Henderson Design and photo by Tessa Neustadt. Window shades come in every color of the rainbow. In this coastal living room, a navy blue fabric accordion shade adds a coordinated look that matches curtains, throw pillows, and other decor accents in the blue-and-white room. 20 of 56: Opaque Window Shades. Jessica Nelson Design and Carina Skrobecki Photography. Choose natural woven shades with a tight weave to preserve privacy and block light. Jessica Nelson Design hung woven Roman shades on the windows of this bathroom above the tub, adding warmth and softening the all-white space. 21 of 56: Floor-Kissing Curtain. Kate Marker Interiors and Stoffer Photography. Hang sheer curtains so that they just kiss the floor for a light and airy look. Sheer white curtains diffuse light during daytime while preserving the leafy view outdoors. 22 of 56: Gathered Shades. Mary Patton Design. Use gathered shades to soften the windows in a sleek black-and-white bathroom. Mary Patton Design chose a dark floral pattern to complement the vintage accents in this modern space. 23 of 56: Printed Roman Shade. Tyler Karu Design + Interiors and photo by James R. Salomon. Complement bathroom wallpaper with window shades. Roman shades printed with a shellfish motif enhance the coastal feel of this Maine powder room, decorated with gray-and-white nautical wallpaper for a harmonious feel. 24 of 56: Farmhouse Florals. Ashley Montgomery Design. For a modern farmhouse kitchen, consider floral window shades instead of floral curtains. Ashley Montgomery Design added floral Roman shades in muted tones to soften the windows of this cozy kitchen. 25 of 56: Dark Velvet Drapes. Design by Leanne Ford Interiors and photo by Reid Rolls. For a dramatic retro look, consider velvet drapes. Leanne Ford Interiors mixed oversized floral wallpaper, gilded accents, moody paint, and floor-to-ceiling velvet drapes in this vintage glam home bar. Climate Control: If you live in a cold climate, heavy drapes will help keep heat from escaping and cold air from seeping in, potentially reducing utility costs and conserving energy.
Mary Patton Design presents a harmonious look with curtains and window shades in tonal colors and simple fabrics, adding warmth to minimalist rooms. In this calming space, the windows are dressed with matching fabric on the window shades and curtains.
deVOL Kitchens introduces timeless charm to a traditional or historic home by hanging a fixed lace curtain panel in the kitchen window. The rustic wood window frame prevents the lacy curtain panel from feeling overly precious.
Sissy + Marley Interior Design complements industrial-style black windows with matching black window blinds in a New York City kitchen, as seen in this photo by Marco Ricca Studio.
Ashley Montgomery Design creates a focal point in an eclectic bathroom with a statement shade in an eye-catching pattern. This ornate bathtub nook is adorned with a colorful patterned statement shade that stands up to the room’s bold finishes and fixtures.
Leanne Ford Interiors balances a bathroom with assertive wallpaper by adding simple solid window shades. The graphic black-and-white striped walls are softened with white Roman shades.
Mary Patton Design combines patterns on window shades and other textiles to create a playful feel in a bold blue family room. The checkered ottoman, zigzag throw pillows, and black-and-white printed floral shades contribute to the eclectic feel.
Kate Marker Interiors personalizes curtains or helps them tie into the existing decor by adding custom trim to simple curtains. In this gray and white living room, gray trim ties the curtains into the room while adding pattern.
Becca Interiors adds a cozy and nostalgic touch with half-curtains. Neutral patterned cafe curtains make this bathtub nook feel private and cozy.
Desiree Burns Interiors softens a wall of great room windows that can feel foreboding by night with floor-to-ceiling gray curtains, allowing natural light to flood the space by day.
Ashley Montgomery Design dresses a bank of windows with an oversized shade, draping a large plaid Roman shade across the triple windows above the sink in a spacious kitchen, lending it a genteel country house feel.
Becca Interiors maintains a traditional room’s timeless look with classic window treatments. White semi-opaque half curtains add privacy without compromising the light and airy feel of this bathroom.
Discover 56 versatile window treatment ideas that cater to various budgets, spaces, and styles. Begin with matching your curtains with shades for a tailored look, as Mary Patton Design did in a room with light blue walls.
38. Use neutral shades to balance a colorful room, as demonstrated by Forbes + Masters with their black-and-white-striped shade in a vibrant home office. 39. Select neutral patterned shades to add texture in a minimalist space, as Brophy Interiors did in a white-and-gray TV room. 40. Elevate a room’s elegance by hanging curtains from a false ceiling, as Caroline Andreoni Interior Design did in a contemporary Parisian living room. 41. Pinch-pleat curtains offer an elegant and timeless touch, as seen in the semi-open-plan living space designed by Caroline Andreoni Interior Design. 42. For rooms with radiators or fireplaces, consider simple tie-back curtains, as Emilie Fournet Interiors added in a London flat to avoid contact with radiators. 43. Pair natural woven shades with seating to warm up a modern dining room, allowing patterned wallpaper to stand out, as Desiree Burns Interiors did. 44. Create a cozy and protected nursery with heavy curtains, as A Beautiful Mess did, using velvet black-out curtains that also complement the wallpaper. 45. Enhance a high-ceilinged living room with extra-tall sheer curtains, as Marie Flanigan Interiors did, to soften the space without blocking light. 46. Complement a vintage kitchen with striped tea towel curtains, as Leanne Ford Interiors did, adding a rustic feel to the room. 47. Coordinate your window shades with bed linens for a cohesive bedroom design, as Ashley Montgomery Design suggests.Ashley Montgomery Design combines vintage green floral wallpaper with a soft rose pink window shade and bedding for a cozy and romantic look.
Tina Ramchandani Creative uses a blackened, semi-transparent window shade to add a moody feel to a family room or media room. Tina Ramchandani Creative fits a blackened window shade across a wall of casement windows for a complementary feel. Mary Patton Design hangs gathered floral shades in soft colors to complement an unapologetically romantic bedroom, decorated with vintage and antique furniture. Leanne Ford Interiors features chunky wood interior window shutters in a kitchen, lending a modern rustic feel. The simple design and natural wood add warmth to the minimalist black-and-white palette. Ashley Montgomery Design minimizes a less-than-scenic view from a window with limited natural light by hanging sheer curtains. This kitchen sink window obscures the view without blocking available light. Finding Lovely hacks woven window shades with a layer of fabric to make them feel more custom. Mary Patton Design creates a romantic feel in a powder room with matching window shades and an under-sink curtain. Paired with sky blue walls, silver fixtures, and a Venetian mirror for a timeless look. Ashley Montgomery Design hangs opaque cafe curtains over the kitchen sink for privacy without shutting out the light. The opaque cafe curtains on the bottom half of the kitchen sink window can be swiftly pulled shut to block the view of neighbors across the street. Mary Patton Design pairs bold wall paint and window trim with colorful shades in a complementary color for a high-energy feel. In this kids’ bathroom, lilac walls and pastel pink Roman shades are paired. In a bedroom from Sissy + Marley Interior Design, light beige drapes around the French doors puddle on the floor, softening the neutral-toned space. To choose the best window treatments for each room, start by identifying practical concerns such as the need for privacy, light, and temperature control for each window. Keep in mind that south-facing rooms require more shading than those facing east. Consider using black-out shades for the bedroom for sleep and privacy blinds or half-curtains for the bathroom. In a bedroom or living room, layer blinds with curtains for a more decorative look and light and privacy control options throughout the day.Windows come in various shapes and non-standard sizes. Buying off-the-rack shades and blinds can be challenging, and custom curtains, drapes, and blinds are relatively expensive. Measure twice before buying non-returnable items or hire a professional for measuring and installing blinds. Choose motorized smart blinds for ultimate convenience. FAQ: What is the drapery trend for this year? Drapery is making a comeback after years out of fashion.
Current trends include pinch pleat drapes, bold-colored and patterned statement drapes, and drapes made from sustainable fabrics like hemp and linen. What can I put instead of curtains? Options include shades, blinds, shutters, or window film. Shade choices are solid or patterned roller shades, solar shades, Roman shades, or black-out shades for privacy and light control. Install vinyl, metal, or wood blinds or interior shutters. Window treatments can be layered for more light control and visual effects. What is the most inexpensive way to cover windows? Use lightweight paper blinds or premade curtain panels in simple fabrics. Make DIY curtains with sheets or enhance IKEA curtains with pinch pleats. How do you make window treatments look expensive? Hang curtains higher and wider than windows for a grander look. Layer with fabric shades or slatted blinds for a functional and high-end look. Regularly dust and clean window treatments for a well-maintained appearance.