A dazzling window treatment can be the perfect focal point in a room. High ceilings and windows can project a feeling of grandeur while letting in an abundance of light. Of course, tall ceilings and windows can present challenges for the home decorator. The important rule is to choose window treatments that bring out the best features of your tall windows while complementing your design scheme.
Window covering styles
The best style of window treatment for tall ceilings are those that create an uninterrupted line from the ceiling to the floor. This could be curtains, blinds, draperies or shutters. One of the biggest challenges for tall windows is how the window treatments will be opened and closed. Unlike standard windows that can be reached by hand, some mechanism is needed to make tall window treatments easy to open and close. For draperies or blinds, many styles are available with remote control closings. Another option is traverse rod draperies, that open and close manually by pulling a cord at the side.
Pleating Styles
Pleated draperies are a good choice for tall windows, creating an unbroken line from ceiling to floor. However, because the tops of the draperies are so high it is difficult to see details. Therefore, the choice in size, depth and spacing of pleats should be exaggerated so that details do not look small and fragile. For example, pencil thin pleats may look elegant on standard sized windows but would look lost on very high windows. A better choice would be tubular pleats or french pleats with at least a 6” heading. This will give a bolder feel to the drape and will be in better proportion to the extra length.
For window coverings that will not open and close, glass or sheer curtains are the best option. They allow you to see out, they let in a lot of light and are ideal for inaccessible windows or windows that don’t allow easy opening and closing.
Blinds and Shutters
Vertical blinds can be an attractive option for very tall windows. They are easy to open and close by hand or remote and can be opened to let light in or closed for privacy. Shutters for a tall window are generally broken up into smaller sections so that they cover either the bottom half or the bottom two-thirds of the window, leaving the top open. This is an excellent option where privacy is not an issue.
Special Situations
Arched or vaulted windows are a beautiful design element but nearly always call for a custom solution in terms of window treatments. For example, a pleated fan curtain can be used at the top of an arched window, while the bottom section is treated as any other window.
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