The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Window Treatments for Every Interior Style
Curtains are often treated as an afterthought, but they’re one of the biggest design decisions you’ll make in a room. The right window treatment can make a ceiling feel taller, a room feel brighter, and tie your entire design scheme together. Whether your home is a charming cottage, a sleek new build or a period property full of character, here’s how to choose window treatments that perfectly suit your interior.
Why Window Treatments Matter
Curtains and blinds do far more than provide privacy.
They soften hard architectural lines, improve acoustics, control natural light and add colour, texture and warmth. The wrong choice can make
windows appear smaller or ceilings lower, while the right treatment can completely transform the proportions of a room.
Before choosing fabrics or colours, it’s worth considering how your windows are built, as this affects where your curtain pole or track should sit.
Where Should Curtain Poles Be Positioned?
One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is hanging curtains too low or too narrow.
If your window has timber architraves
If decorative timber surrounds frame the window, it’s generally best to keep the curtain pole or track within that frame. Extending beyond it can make
the detailing look lost.
If your window sits within a plaster recess
Install the curtain pole outside the recess. This allows the curtains to stack neatly beside the window rather than covering the glass, allowing much
more natural light into the room.
Designer Tip
The more visible glass you have when the curtains are open, the bigger and brighter your room will feel.
Make Your Windows Look Bigger
Professional interior designers rarely install curtain poles exactly the width of the window.
Instead, we extend them beyond the window frame.
This extra space is known as the stack back.
Stack back is the wall space where curtains sit when fully open.
The wider the stack back:
- More daylight enters the room
- Windows appear wider
- Rooms feel larger
Heavy fabrics like velvet or interlined curtains need a larger stack back than lightweight linens.
Hang Curtains Higher Than You Think
Another professional trick is raising the curtain pole well above the window.
Rather than fixing it immediately above the frame, use the wall space between the window and ceiling.
This creates the illusion of:
- Higher ceilings
- Larger windows
- A more luxurious finish
Small windows especially benefit from this approach.
Choosing the Right Curtain Length
Different lengths create different looks.
| Curtain Length | Best For |
|---|---|
| Sill length | Kitchens and bathrooms |
| Below sill | Informal spaces |
| Floor length | Living rooms and bedrooms |
| Puddled (slightly longer than floor) | Traditional and luxury interiors |
As a general rule, floor-length curtains create the most elegant finish.
Awkward Windows? Consider Asymmetry
Sometimes there isn’t enough wall space on one side of a window.
Instead of forcing symmetrical curtains, an asymmetrical design can look intentional and elegant while still allowing maximum light.
Final Thoughts
Window treatments aren’t just practical—they’re one of the easiest ways to elevate a room.
By positioning curtain poles correctly, extending them beyond the window frame and choosing fabrics that suit your home’s architectural style, you can make rooms feel brighter, taller and far more considered.
Whether you love the grandeur of a Georgian home, the charm of a cottage or the simplicity of contemporary design, the right curtains will help bring your vision together.
Need Help Choosing Window Treatments?
At Starting Today Interiors, I help homeowners create beautiful, practical interiors that feel cohesive from floor to ceiling. Whether you’re selecting curtains, blinds, colours or furniture, I can help you make confident design decisions that work for your home.
Explore my interior design services or get in touch to start transforming your space.