Curtains come in so many colors, materials, patterns, and sizes that choosing the perfect curtains for your home can seem overwhelming! When you’re in the planning process, there are many things to consider which can help narrow down your options. If you’re looking for curtain ideas for large windows, you’ve come to the right place!

Curtain Ideas for Large Windows

Curtains serve many purposes in our homes. Some are chosen for appearance, others for privacy, and others yet to help conserve energy.

The Function of your curtains is the first thing you’ll need to consider when making your choice. Are you looking for privacy, energy efficiency, appearance, or to keep light out?

You will also want to take Climate into consideration. Thicker curtains are great for keeping heat in on cold nights in regions where it snows regularly. Thinner or sheer curtains are best suited for window treatments in cold regions, or as attractive curtains in warm regions where they can let in breezes on hot summer days.

Decor is one of the most important factors of curtain selection! A light curtain can brighten up a dark room, while a dark curtain can break up the monotony of a light-toned room. Meanwhile, patterns can either compliment or contrast your furniture. Your curtains can be as much or as little a part of your room’s design as desired!

If you have young children or pets, you’ll want to consider Safety. Curtains can be considerably safer for young children and pets, since they won’t get tangled in any slats or draw cords. However, long or trailing curtains may seem like a good hiding place, and could result in a mess if the curtains or curtain rod is pulled down.

If you live in a sunny climate, or your windows face East or West, Fading fabric from regular sun exposure is unavoidable. You may want to invest in curtain liners if you are concerned about fading fabric; these are designed to minimize the amount of sun that reaches your curtain’s fabric and prevent fading.

Curtain Styles

Style is the next most important thing to consider when choosing your curtains. Curtains come in so many shapes, materials, and patterns that it can be hard to choose! Some styles include:

• Panels: Panels are the most common type of curtain, and can be used either alone in a window treatment, or as part of a more elaborate design.
• Valances/Swags: Short curtains designed for the top of windows. These are usually used in kitchens over sinks, or in other situations where window or floor-length curtains are not required.
• Window Scarves: Similar to valances and swags, window scarves are designed to decorate the top of your window. They are usually longer, however, and may reach the floor.
• Layered Treatments: Layered window treatments may combine two or more types of curtains for decorative or utilitarian reasons. They can give the window treatment both depth and added insulation.
• Blackout Curtains: Blackout curtains are designed to keep light out of your room, and can be especially helpful in Northern homes where dawn can start in the wee hours, long before you’re ready to wake up!
• Blackout Linings: Blackout linings are perfect for existing curtains which don’t keep all the light out. They’re also great if you’ve found a curtain panel which isn’t light-proof, but want a blackout effect.

Length

If you’ll be using your floor-length curtains regularly, hang them about 1” off the floor. This prevents the ends from gathering too much dust, and allows them to be moved easily. Unless it’s part of your design, this length will not pool and pose a potential tripping hazard!

Not sure how to measure your windows for curtains? Check out our handy guide here!

Other Considerations

As if choosing the curtains for your home isn’t enough to think about, you’ll also need to consider your curtain’s accessories. These include hooks, holdbacks, rods, and curtain ties.

The type of accessories you choose will largely depend on how your curtains will be drawn back, or tied back. Some examples of tie-backs are:

• Standard Tie-Backs: Each curtain panel has its own tie back on either side of the window, and each curtain is pulled to the side to let the light in.
• Tent Flaps: These are so named because they resemble tent flaps! The middle center of the curtain is drawn back to the wall while the rest hangs normally, creating a triangle design of the curtain’s reverse color on each panel.
• Overlaps: Two curtains are hung in the same window space. When pulled back – one to each side of the window - the tops of the curtains overlap for a refined and elegant appearance.
• Hourglass: Each curtain panel is tied together at the center like the slender central portion of an hourglass.

Window Treatments at The Linen Store

As you can see, while there are plenty of options to consider for your window’s curtains, there are just as many ways to narrow down your choice! The Linen Store has curtains and curtain accessories in a wide array of styles and colors. Start your search for the perfect window treatment here!