- 1. Make a statement with a vibrant shade
- 2. Turn your window into wall art with artisan fabric
- 3. Mix and match prints to create a co-ordinated look
- 4. Opt for flexibility with a Venetian blind
- 5. Add privacy with a patterned frosted window
- 6. Choose a vintage print for a country feel
- 7. Make a statement with bold prints
- 8. Add a touch of luxury with velvet curtains
- 9. Take control with tier-on-tier shutters
- 10. Add a pop of colour with a patterned blind
- 11. Paint your shutters the same color as your walls
- 12. Use shutters to add privacy in Victorian homes
- 13. Add warmth to a living room with a Roman blind
- 14. Use a block colour for impact
- 15. Treat an interior doorway like a window
- 16. Let in the light with a sheer curtain
- 17. Replicate French style with a café privacy curtain
- 18. Hide fixings with a pelmet
- 19. Have the best of both worlds with a sheer blind
- 20. Small spaces will benefit from shutters
When it comes to window treatments for period homes, there seems to be an overwhelming amount of choice. If you are redesigning a traditional kitchen or starting from scratch in a new living room, how you choose to dress your windows will be an all important finishing touch.
When assessing different options, consider the look and feel you want to create, and whether you prefer to draw attention to window frames and shapes or disguise them. It is also important to address any practicalities, such as retaining privacy, reducing draughts and insulating against cold and noise.
From traditional curtains and shutters, to innovative blinds and window films, there is something to complement every living space. Find more beautiful window treatment ideas on our dedicated hub page.
1. Make a statement with a vibrant shade
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Although they can be overwhelming in smaller spaces, vibrant shades are perfect for larger rooms. Set against a white backdrop, a statement accent colour can be used to complement other accessories and furnishings. The bright hue draws the eye to the window, making the space feel bright and airy. Knitted velvet fabric made-to-measure curtains, £30 per m from John Lewis & Partners
Find more inspiring window treatment ideas for living rooms; find out how to choose the best curtains, too.
2. Turn your window into wall art with artisan fabric
It's tricky to find space to hang artworks in a bathroom, so why not opt for a gorgeous statement print at the window instead? Pictured is the Simple Ticking Detail in Dormouse Fabric from Vanessa Arbuthnott's collection which has been made into a roller blind.
Find more pretty window treatment ideas for bathrooms; and read our guide to choosing roller blinds, too.
3. Mix and match prints to create a co-ordinated look
Picking fabrics that don't entirely match but complement each other carefully is easy to do if you shop from one collection. Accentuate a mid-century modern scheme with an iconic print like this Orla Kiely Scribble Acorn Cup design, from £55.60. Soften the sharp lines of blinds with flowing curtains in a complementary shade, such as the rich mustard hue of the Scribble curtain in Olive, from £76.34, for a relaxed look, both from Illumin8Blinds
4. Opt for flexibility with a Venetian blind
For an easy way to control light levels in a room Venetian blinds are the perfect option. More affordable than sought after shutters, they have sleek fuss free design and are available in a range of finishes to match your decor. Often period homes have irregular sized windows, so in this case, opting for bespoke blinds from Hillary's is a great option. Alternatively Ikea has plenty of standard off the shelf designs.
5. Add privacy with a patterned frosted window
Working with a front facing living room? Intricate frosted window film will obscure the view into your room but still allow light to flow through. If a frosted film alone feels a bit bare, team it with curtains for a more opulent window treatment. Letting the curtain fabric pool on the floor, as here, will make the look more luxurious.
Check out more of our window film design ideas.
6. Choose a vintage print for a country feel
Designing a country kitchen? Opt for a lightweight, pretty floral blind to create a welcoming environment. Roman blinds are perfect if you like the softness of a fabric window treatment but don’t have space for curtains in your kitchen.
Find more kitchen window treatments in our guide.
7. Make a statement with bold prints
If you love colourful bold prints, but are cautious when it comes to using them, opting for curtains and soft furnishings in statement fabrics is a great solution, as they are relatively cheap and easy to update as and when tastes change. Covered with a blousy poppy design, Sanderson's Embleton fabric in Claret/linen brings warmth to this large muted kitchen.
See more kitchen window treatment ideas in our guide.
8. Add a touch of luxury with velvet curtains
Velvet’s a huge trend for sofa upholstery and we think it’s just as appealing used for curtains. While roller blinds and shutters both work well in traditional space, nothing beats the luxurious look of velvet curtains with deep swags, lush fabrics and ornate pelmets.
9. Take control with tier-on-tier shutters
Tier-on-tier shutters have two sets of panels sitting top and bottom, giving you the flexibility to operate them separately, and greater control over the levels of light and privacy. Furnishing a period room? Pick smaller slats for a more traditional appeal; wider slats for a more contemporary one. These hardwood shutters at Apollo Blinds, are bi-fold opening for enhanced versatility.
Find more information and inspiration for shutters in our guide.
10. Add a pop of colour with a patterned blind
Add a pop of colour to a neutral interior with a decorative blind, like this Fruit Garden design from Vanessa Arbuthnott’s new Orchard collection, £54 per m2. Presenting a flat canvas, roller and Roman blinds are perfect for experimenting with bold pattern and colour since they are not constantly on full display.
11. Paint your shutters the same color as your walls
If you're lucky enough to have original features in your period home then embrace them. Give them a refresh with a shade that matches your walls – cohesion in this way helps a small room feel larger too.
Find more smart bedroom window treatments in our guide.
12. Use shutters to add privacy in Victorian homes
Owners of Victorian homes will be familiar with the struggle of dressing bay windows, particularly when you don’t want curtains. These Pearlwood full-height plantation shutters, £275 per m² from The London Shutter Company, make a feature of the window while offering privacy.
13. Add warmth to a living room with a Roman blind
Roman blinds come in different styles, so think about the overall look and feel you want to create. Hobbled Roman blinds are made using dowels so you get a neat pleated look when pulled up. Heavy fabrics like wool work well with this style, such as this Legacy, Broadway design in Mustard from Moon.
Read our guide to choosing the best blinds to get the right design for your home; find out more about picking the best Roman blinds, too.
14. Use a block colour for impact
If you've chosen a strong wallpaper design for your room, picking out a block plain for your window treatment will keep the scheme feeling elegantly restrained. Choose a dark colour only if the window is large and the natural daylight is good.
15. Treat an interior doorway like a window
From cracks under doors to poorly glazed windows, period homes are no stranger
to draughts. Changing the doors and windows may not be an option, but a heavy-lined curtain can offer a quick and affordable draughtproofing solution while also adding a welcoming wash of colour to rooms. Plus if you pick a patterned print it's a really quick and easy way to add some interest to a space. The rich berry tone of the Fern and Dragonfly fabric in Raspberry, £52 per m from Vanessa Arbuthnott’s Woodland collection, beautifully complements the characterful, aged original tiled floor in this country cottage.
16. Let in the light with a sheer curtain
Heavy wools and velvets are perfect for creating a cosy atmosphere throughout the winter, whereas sheer curtains, made of linen or voile, are ideal for summer. Filtering out bright sunlight, they still allow natural light to flood the room – even on the most grey days – while also providing privacy. This Aspen design features an embossed repeating pattern inspired by mountain terrains, priced £50.40 from Prestigious Textiles.
Discover more practical and pretty treatments for French or patio doors.
17. Replicate French style with a café privacy curtain
Be inspired by the stylish décor of Parisian cafés by covering the lower half of the window. These café-style window treatments are perfect for rooms where you would like additional privacy but do not want to compromise on light levels. They are particularly well suited to street-facing rooms and ground-level windows.
"The café curtain is not only the prettiest of window coverings, but it is actually a very useful and authentic method of sectioning off a room, hiding a view or creating privacy. Find a window, find a delicate piece of sheer wispy fabric and attach a brass rail to create a vignette of beauty," says Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL Kitchens.
18. Hide fixings with a pelmet
We know pelmets may be associated with the chintzier end of traditional country house design, but when they are done right they can lend style and elegance to a window. They are also a great way to hide fixtures, here a pelmet has been used to disguise a simple roller blind – a good idea if you want to add interest to a window but don’t have the room for bulky treatments.
19. Have the best of both worlds with a sheer blind
A sheer roller blind is a brilliant option for giving you privacy from the outside world without compromising on the benefit of natural lighting in the room. This linen-look design costs £70 from Luxaflex’s Reflection range.
If you're thinking of transforming your dining room into an elegant space, take a look at our traditional dining room design ideas for inspiration.
20. Small spaces will benefit from shutters
When space is tight, it's often a good idea to keep your window treatments as fuss free as possible.
Although curtains are synonymous with period homes, they can be heavy on the eye from a visual point of view and can 'take up space'. This is where shutters can be really effective as they do have a more authentic look than a blind.