What You Need to Know About Hanging Window Treatments

Window treatments hung right -- glorious. 

from Southern Living

 
Window treatments hung wrong -- disastrous. 

Ok maybe you'll think it's unfair to show a department store window treatment below something custom from Southern Living, but I want to make a point.  When you look at the green drapes and valance above,  what makes them right is that they are mounted far above the window, which always contributes to the illusion of high ceilings.  It is completely acceptable, and many times preferred, to hang a valance at ceiling height.  Or, if there is a crown molding, right up against its bottom edge.  The "leading edge" of drapes (the edge that would touch the other drape should they be brought together to close) should usually only cover the window molding, and not come into the glass more than a couple of inches.

Let's say the purple drapes above are in a little girls room.  How much better they would look, and how much more light would shine in the room, if the valance went up about 6 inches, and the drapes were pushed back from each side of the window so that they just covered the molding.  This would, of course, require a longer rod, so that the drapes were almost completely on the wall.  Can you see the change in your mind?  The smothered window just became beautifully framed, and it looks like it can breathe.  Ready-mades can look great, they just need to be hung properly.

Here are some images of drapes hung at the right heights...

Designers: Van Chapin, Charles Walton IV

Designer: Dominique Verillon

The image below I believe is a ready-made.  What's right -- it's mounted above the top of the window casing (please, I beg you, never mount a rod or valance right on the casing!).  To my eye, I would have hung the rod up another 4 inches or so.  Why?  Because the height of the rod is the same as the height of the armoire -- taken in by the eye together, it "cuts" the wall at that point and visually brings the ceiling lower and makes the window look more squatty.

Ready-mades usually come in standard lengths.  Buy the longest drape you can afford so that it can be mounted at a "custom" height. 

One more thing to consider.  The picture below shows the underside of a drapery panel at the "header" where the pleat is.  Headers are typically 3 - 4" long, sometimes more.  You never want the back side of the header to show through the window to the outside of the house.  (Like having your slip hang out from your skirt.  Does anyone even wear those any more?)  That's one reason why panels are typically hung at least 4" above the casing if possible.  (The wood below is the valance cap over wood blinds, not the casing.)

Carol Beck

So, as with all guidelines, there are exceptions.  Just do your best to mount your treatments above the casing, and you'll be on your way to a great look.

I hope for some of you, this helps you to look at how you dress your windows with a more educated eye.   I have a particular passion for window treatments, having had a custom business in the past.  I'm looking forward to posting more window do's and don'ts.

As always, I'd appreciate your comments.  And, if you have a question, I'll be sure to post a comment back.  Just click on "comments" in the gray bar below.

Talk to you soon,
Carol