Do you have a small, off-center or awkward shaped window that you can’t figure out what to do with? In this post you’ll learn my tried and true tricks to make your window appear larger, and how to choose the perfect window treatments every time (without spending a fortune!)
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Before: Low and off-center window
You may remember how this odd window looked originally in our Modern Mediterranean bedroom…
There were a few challenges that had to be addressed:
- Too low on the wall
- Off-center
- Arched top that allowed light in
The Solution
The best way to make a window appear taller and block the light from the arch is simple: outside-mount blackout shades. To help disguise the off-center position and make the window look wider, tall and wide curtains are the way to go.
Choosing window shades
You could use any style of blinds or shades, but I personally prefer the look and functionality of cordless roman shades. I wanted a textured, organic feel for this Mediterranean style room, so I opted for these woven bamboo shades (in Pattern 1):
I landed on these after scouring Amazon for the best price on custom cordless, woven shades with a blackout liner option (and positive reviews with customer photos!) Customizable shades are key, as you’ll need to order them in a specific size to fit your window.
What size shade do I need?
In order to give the illusion of a taller window, you’ll want the height to match the distance from the bottom of your window to within ~a foot from your ceiling (for 8-9′ ceilings). The shade should be mounted just below the location of your curtain rod, which is typically a max of ~5-8″ from your ceiling (unless they are very tall ceilings).
To determine the width, add ~5″ to each side of the window for sufficient overlap, so the shade should be ~10″ wider than your window.
For reference, our window measured 51″w x 62″h, and I ordered a 61″w x 100″h shade. Our ceilings are 9’4″, and we mounted the shade 7″ below the ceiling.
Look at the difference—you’d never know there was an awkwardly low window there! The key to this is effect is to use a blackout liner to block the light so you don’t see anything underneath. The other customization options (cordless vs corded, fabric vs woven, color and pattern) are a matter of personal preference. I just find cordless cleaner and easier to use, and you can never go wrong with textured woven materials.
Choosing curtains
There are a lot more options out there when it comes to curtains. Here are the decisions to consider, and my recommendation for each:
Curtain header style
For a designer look, choose a pinch pleat header style. I avoid rod pocket, back tab, tab top and tie top as they don’t open and close as easily, and I grommet rings tend to cheapen the look of curtains.
Pinch pleat headers provide the most polished look, and are most often used by designers. That said, they are the most expensive option. If they don’t fit the budget, use clip rings on the back of inexpensive curtain panels (like I did in our bedroom):
Curtain material
This is largely personal preference, but if you want that high-end designer look, choose a linen or linen-blend fabric. Pure linen is one of the most expensive fabric options, but there are some great affordable faux linen options out there.
One of my favorite more affordable sources is Two Pages (also available on Amazon). Their Isabella line is made from a high quality linen-cotton blend, with a ton of different color and header styles, and the size is completely customizable. I chose the Hunter Green fabric with a blackout liner.
Adding a blackout or privacy liner will help disguise the sides of the window by blocking the light and making it appear wider.
Curtain size and length
This is the most important to get right (and the most common mistake!) My general rule of thumb is to mount the curtain rod around 10-12″ above the window trim, and have the curtains kiss the floor. This provides the most polished and tailored look while making your window appear larger. If you are using the outside-mount blackout shade trick to make your windows appear taller, mount the rod a few inches above the top of the shade.
Note: There is a popular belief that curtains should be mounted all the way to the ceiling, but that’s not always the case. If you aren’t using outside mount shades, stick within the ~10-12″ above the window range for proper balance.
This diagram is a general guide and should be modified based on your specific room’s configuration/layout, but it’s a good place to start:
For example: if your window is 40″ wide and the rod extends 20″ past it on each side, each panel should be 80″ wide for a full pleated look when closed.
Note on width: This rule does not apply to pinch pleat curtains—for those, you can order the exact width you need since the curtains have built-in pleats when fully extended.
I wanted mine slightly fuller, so I added an extra 5″ of width to each panel. I also made my left panel 10″ wider than the right panel to account for the off-center wall—that way, the fullness would match on both sides.
I also chose to fill the entire wall with curtains to eliminate any awkward space from the off-center wall. You certainly don’t have to do this (and I wouldn’t in most situations), but a wall of drapery can feel luxurious and give off hotel vibes in a bedroom.
How to hang curtains like a pro
My #1 tip for installing curtains at the perfect height—use adjustable drapery hooks! These came with my Two Pages curtains and they are an absolute game changer. Note: these only work with pinch pleat curtains.
These hooks allow you to adjust the curtains up and down almost 3″, so each pleat can touch the floor at the perfect length. You don’t have to worry about installing the rod at a precise location, or the curtain hitting the floor unevenly (which always happens!) They’re truly a must-have and my favorite trick for hanging curtains perfectly every time.
Before and Afters
This awkward bedroom window stood out immediately, placed far too low and off-center in the room:
With a few simple window treatment tricks, the same wall now stands out as a feature of the room, making the space feel larger and luxurious:
Here is another before and after example to illustrate the power of window shade and curtain placement:
One more transformation from the Spanish Sanctuary:
This one got a full makeover with my easy DIY window grids.
Where to buy window shades
There are many great sources online for custom window shades. I find the best value on Amazon, but here are a few more of my go-tos:
Tap to shop some of my favorites:
Where to buy curtains
When shopping for curtains, keep in mind the key features to look out for:
- Size: Choose panels that are extra wide and the proper height for your ceiling
- Header style: Opt for pinch pleat when possible
- Fabric: Look for linen/linen blend, textured cotton blends, or velvet
- Liner: Add a liner when possible (privacy, room darkening, or blackout depending on your needs)
Here are a few of my go-to curtain sources:
Tap to shop some of my favorites:
You’ll notice that pre-made panels typically come in 40-50″ widths, which isn’t substantial enough for windows wider than a few feet. For larger windows, you’ll need to go custom or use multiple panels per side.
Where to buy curtain hardware
Once again, Amazon is my go-to here—you just can’t beat the price or selection. Here are a few other places to shop curtain hardware:
Here are some of my curtain hardware go-tos:
Bonus tip: if your curtain rings are getting stuck on your rod, this curtain rod tape is a game changer! Alternatively, you can use a traverse curtain rod to ensure a smooth glide every time.
Window treatment Q&A
For windows with no outside-mount shades, aim for ~10-12 above the window trim. For windows with outside-mount shades, place the rod a few inches above the top of the shade.
For a tailored designer look, aim to have your curtains kiss the floor. Use adjustable drapery hooks to easily fine tune the length after hanging.
To make the window appear larger, mount the brackets at least 20″ past the window on both sides if room allows. For larger windows and walls with plenty of empty space, mount them as wide as you’d like!
Each panel should be at least the length of the curtain rod for a fuller look. Example: if your window is 40″ wide and your curtain rods extend 20″ on each side, each panel should be 80″ wide to maintain a pleated look when fully closed. Note: this rule does not apply to pinch pleat curtains, which have the pleats already built-in.
To make your window appear taller or wider, install outside-mount window shades (with a blackout liner) larger than the size of your window. For a clean and tailored look, inside mount shades are a great option.
I hope this post sheds some light on how to choose the right shades and curtains, so you can feel confident choosing window treatments moving forward. If you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to bookmark or pin it for later!
Erinn says
How do you handle rods and curtains for corner windows. Do you get a rod that has a turn in it?
Excellent article…thank you!
Jenna Sue says
You could do that, or just butt two rods together in the corner and it should be hidden by the curtains. This is what we did in our living room and you can’t tell!
Kathi S says
This is one of the best examples for making windows look larger that I’ve seen. The before and after photos at the end are remarkable! Thanks!
Jenni says
This was very helpful. I have two windows in my primary bedroom that flank my bed. They are 2′ wide, 72″ high with approx 18″ to the wall on one side (and about the same to the bed on the other side). I can’t quite decide if I only want curtain to the wall side (but wide enough that it would cover the window fully when closed) so that I don’t have to fight with curtain behind my nightstands.
But what I’m really struggling to decide is what color to get! Neutral carpet, black headboard/nightstands, white dresser, duvet, and walls. I change up the color of sheets, but the accent pillows right now are teal. Help!
Cathy says
This post was so helpful. I have a window in my basement that is unusually low and I plan to make it look taller just like this. I am wondering … which liner did you order for your shades? I wasn’t sure which one to choose.
Thank you so much for the great details you always provide!
Jenna Sue says
Hi Cathy, I used the blackout liner!
Iris Smith says
You are welcome to use any type of blinds or shades, but I like that you said that cordless roman shades appeal to you personally because of their appearance and usability. My sister has stated that she wants to give her home a fresh look. I’ll advise her to purchase cordless Roman shades for her outdoor blinds.
Jenna Sue says
Glad to share my experience, Iris! I think she will be happy with her choice 🙂
Steve Tristan says
Wow! I love the way you have enhanced the living space with both the shade and the Drapery panels. Especially making that window now visually stunning because of the way you dressed it up. Awesome, amazing, super job well done. I have been a window coverings installer for over 30 years and I’ve never seen anyone do this. Thanks for sharing this article. You did an amazing job.
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Steve!
Cici Haus says
what a difference! That window placement is wild.
Do you have any ideas/suggestions for tall, skinny, close together windows? Our house has 65 (!) windows. Most are roughly 24″ wide, 72″ tall and have 3-6″ between windows. The primary bedroom and family room/play room areas have dated but functional roman shades but the rest are all just open. The previous owner had big valances (no curtains) across the upstairs sets but we took those down. I’m not sure what to do with them. Act like they’re one giant window and do curtains open on either side of the set? That’d work really well in one spot but not great anywhere else.
Also, we’re about to do a big main floor renovation and we’re replacing all the short, rounded 90s baseboards with taller square baseboards. There’s no crown or trim around openings as it’s a more modern style, but they use almost the same rounded 90s trim around the windows. I’d love to replace that trim but there’s not enough room in between the windows – it’d just have to be one big board. Would that look weird? Should I just leave them? Should I remove the trim entirely and finish up the edges? (We have really deep window ledges and that’s what we did in my son’s room upstairs and I love it but also his walls are paneled so it’s a different look overall.)
Sorry – got really long! Thanks for all you do!
Jenna Sue says
3-6″ of space is pretty narrow, I’d probably just treat it as one large window and place the curtains on each end. Just make sure the panels are long enough to fully close x2 for extra fullness. I’d also treat them the same for window trim, and use one board between the windows. The windows in the Hacienda also don’t have trim and they just look unfinished to me!
Alix says
Love this solution to a very quirky problem. What were they thinking with that window placement?? You nailed it!
Jenna Sue says
It doesn’t even make sense from the exterior front of the house! Builders here are always cutting corners to save on time/cost.
Jen says
I have 12′ ceilings and need drapes over 120″. I can never find any non custom length. Any ideas?? I really want super tall, luxurious curtains, but not for thousands of dollars!
Jenna Sue says
I’m sure Two Pages could make that length for you! Did you check the link? If not, you should find what you need on Etsy.
Pat says
SO much great information in here, thank you so much!
Jenna Sue says
So glad it was helpful, Pat!
AmandaKB says
This is a super helpful post! Also, those adjustable drapery hooks?! #mindblown
Jenna Sue says
Right?! Where have these been all of my life!! Worth paying the extra for pinch pleat just to use these things.
Kim says
I am shopping for a drapery/shade/hardware combo for a room at this very minute. Thanks so much for all the great resources! (as usual)
Jenna Sue says
My pleasure, Kim! Glad this was helpful.
Christina says
I love this! I love the wall of drapes look! Can you please do a post/video/tutorial on how you squared off the tray ceiling!
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Christina! I’ve shared the progress in my IG stories and a few photos in past posts, but we don’t have anything extremely detailed. Check out my Guest room 2 story highlight on Instagram for more info!
Patricia M. says
What a lovely solution to a problem window! I open and close all my draperies morning and night and have always used traverse rods (with string control). Because of this, I have valances, which are terribly outdated. Can you address newer styles of traverse rods that can be used without valances and the whole idea of opening and closing your draperies twice a day (floor length, etc)?
Michele M. says
Dang girl – this was an excellent post. Thx so much. I have a very odd window in my main guest bedroom and it has always made me crazy being too small, too low and off center. I have always wanted to add two more windows on either side to let in light – but this, my friend, is genius. And you provided so much info. I am quite grateful. Thank you!!!!!