Easy, Breezy, Beautiful.
Everyone already knows that besides paint, we think curtains are the number one way to add polish and style to any space! It’s a super simple way to add height, drama, and billowy softness, so we finally got around to adding some long floor length $5 Ikea curtains on either side of our bamboo shades in the den- just like we did in our living room a while back.
Here are our boxy den windows before, just calling out for some soft and serene floor length beauties (don’t mind John in the corner taking some measurements). Sure the room looked clean and “craftsman” without them, but something was missing…
Just look at the difference a few inexpensive white panels can make (oh and check out our curtain-hanging tutorial for a few tips and tricks):
Of course we’re all about hanging them high and wide, to make the window appear even bigger than it is and ensure that they don’t block an inch of light (which always makes a room feel open and airy). Our white curtains of choice are always Ikea’s Vivan panels (at just $9.99 for two, it doesn’t get much better than that). We also love that they come in two lengths (98″ and 118″), so even those with taller ceilings can snag the longer versions (which will only run you $14.99 for two) and achieve the same breezy and inviting look on the cheap and in an afternoon. Look, even Burger’s a fan.
The bamboo roman shades are actually from Walmart since they always seem to have an affordably priced selection in a bunch of standard (and non-standard) sizes right in the store. We’ve even hung two of them next to each other in the living room to mimic the look of one long blind without spending a huge amount on a custom, oversized roman shade.
We also love to get our oil-rubbed-bronze-looking rods from Target. They’re understated and simple so the curtains get all the attention- just the way it should be. And the standard ceiling in the den feels so much taller thanks to our new additions, which introduce breezy vertical elements to add to the illusion of height.
I can’t believe it took us so long, especially since we’ve been so quick to suggest curtains to anyone who will listen! The lesson: convince your husband to take you to Ikea far more often. And even if he groans about hanging more curtain rods around the house, bribe him with a trip to Taco Bell and get on with it.
What about you guys? Do you have any rooms that could use the polish and added height that floor length curtains can bring? Any other totally overdue decorating tasks on your to-do list? Do tell.
Update: Check out the comments on this post by clicking the voice bubble next to the title to see a plethora of curtain related questions and a bevy of helpful hints and simple solutions.
Psst- Wanna know even more about finding the right window treatments for your home? Check out this exhaustive answer.
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Comments
Hey Youngsters, I too was hanging curtains yesterday.
And, my issue is this — size does matter. (John, did we get your attention? HA!)
Like some other peeps, I also have tall ceilings & the curtain rods I’m using — re-purposed from another room — (just love that word, re-purpose. sounds kinda fancy and important :-) are TOO SKINNY.
Looks way out of proportion.
No bueno.
Like when a really tall, statuesque woman is wearing teeny tiny little jewelry.
I’ve looked at Target, and they don’t seem to have the bigger chunkier drapery hardware. Everywhere else that I do find the chunkier stuff, it’s all pricier than I can afford at the moment….
Back to the drawing board for me!
East End- It’s so funny that you mention Lowe’s drop cloths because we were actually eying some tan burlap/linen-looking drop cloths from Home Depot to use somehow in our front porch Home Depot challenge. Since they’d have to be outdoors it’s a bit of a doozie to work them in, but indoors as curtains they’d be lovely! And I think they come in perfect curtain lengths (around 5 ft by 9 ft). Fabulous idea indeed!
Katy- I would definitely try JC Penney (famous for their window stuff, which is much cheaper than Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware). You also might want to look at Bed Bath & Beyond and even Lowe’s and Home Depot because they sell curtain rods too (and they have some nice chunky ones). One other tip would be that you might want to spray paint your existing rods a darker color (dark brown or black) because silver and white rods tend to look a lot more delicate than wrought-iron or oil-rubbed-bronze-looking rods. Our living room window is super long and the rod is pretty skinny and high, but thanks to the dark color it still feels in proportion. Hope it helps! Good luck!
xo,
Sherry
Hi!! I just found your blog through another friend’s blog earlier this week, and I am ADDICTED! I look forward to checking your blog every day and seeing what you post. :) Thanks for all your tips and help and for your detailed instructions and pictures. I am so inspired by you guys! I love decorating and love cheap deals and repainting finds. (We did that to some stuff we got off craigslist and it looks so much better; thanks for your encouraging posts and inspiration and all the beautiful work you guys did on your house.) My husband and I got married in September ‘08 and we’re currently renting an apartment until he graduates in May. In the summer/fall we’ll purchase a house and then I may be contacting you guys with some design dilemmas. :) However, in the meantime, I’m faced with living in an apartment that already has vertical blinds (which I’ve come to dislike) hung in the windows. Our ceilings throughout are the 9 foot ones and I’m a huge fan of panels and not leaving a window blank. (I actually already have floor length panels hung on all our windows, but after seeing your post I’m wondering what to do.) My questions is, what would you guys suggest for windows that have vertical blinds that can’t be removed? Also, in a room that has contemporary black furniture, would you suggest white panels or black panels on those windows? Do you match your curtains to the main color of the room decor? Thanks so much! I live in Colorado and just recently found out that they’re building an IKEA only fifteen minutes away. It won’t be finished until 2010, but I’m soooo excited! I love IKEA; I used to live in VA and would visit the Woodbridge one. Also, I can’t wait to see your big front porch reveal!! Blessings to you guys!!!!
Hey Diana,
So glad you found us! As for your curtain debacle, I’d generally steer clear of solid black curtain panels (since they can seem pretty heavy and dark) but something with a pattern that includes some black to tie them into your furnishings would be great (we love these from Ikea with white, black and green stripes). And when it comes to you vertical window blinds, drawing them to one side and hiding them behind your curtain panels will make them virtually invisible (but they can still be used by pulling them back out when you need them). Similarly, horizontal blinds can be pulled all the way up and obscured behind bamboo blinds or roman shades when they’re not in use. Hope it helps!
xo,
Sherry
That is a great idea! I hadn’t thought of sliding them to the side to hide them behind the panels. Thanks!! I will definitely do that!! What if the panels are made of black sheer/linen, so they aren’t heavy and still let the light through? Like the IKEA Wilma ones? http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00124128 Or do you think those would be too dark still and generally white panels like the Vivan ones would be better? (That’s a good point about the solid black panels being dark and heavy.) And lastly, what if you can’t afford bamboo blinds or roman shades and all you can put up are panels…would you still recommend hanging the curtain panels higher even though there wouldn’t be the nice roman shades to “hide” the difference? : ) Thanks again!
Oooh, those Wilma ones are nice. Definitely go for those! And although we like to cheat curtains up as high as they can go with blinds to hide the difference between the rod and the top of the window, when there aren’t going to be blinds to hide that negative space we generally like to hang the rods 6″ above the top of the window so there’s a bit of breathing room (they still have a little extra boost of height but they still feel visually connected to the window below). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Ok, sweet!! That is totally helpful. I agree, the 6″ “rule” sounds perfect. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!! And lastly, I promise not to bug you anymore…Generally what color rod do you guys suggest for panels…like a white rod with white panels and black with black or mix it up or brushed metal…or?? : ) Thanks and have a blessed weekend and evening!!
We usually like oil-rubbed bronze or black rods best (they feel classic without drawing a lot of attention to themselves). Sometimes chrome rods become more of a focal point while white rods can feel a bit too dainty, but there are tons of gorgeous options out there so it’s really just a matter of personal preference! Happy hanging…
xo,
s
Amy,
You were inquiring about some cute, white-sheer curtains because the curtains John & Sherry use are not available to buy on Ikea’s website (I checked too…doesn’t it stink? I want to buy so much stuff and the nearest Ikea to me is at least 2-2 1/2 hours away. Anyhow, I have done some online research and found these curtains from JC Penney. They are the Addison Grommet-Top Sheer Coordinates by Studio in Cool White. I haven’t checked them out in person yet, but I’m planning on it (so I can’t speak about the quality or the amount of light they’ll let in.) Hope this helps. :)
Thanks to younghouselove — you’re so inspiring! Ya’ll rock!
-Lauren
Thanks Lauren! You rock for sharing that info. We hope you’ll pop in and tell us how they work out!
xo,
Sherry
hi! i’m wondering how you clean those blinds. vacuum? i’m so allergic to dust, which has always kept me from putting anything in my windows that i can’t throw in the washing machine.
Hey Maya,
Whenever I’m in the mood for a deep cleaning (I too am allergic to dust and pollen), I use a moist cloth and gently wipe the fronts and tops of each bamboo blind. They’re definitely not damaged by a bit of moisture and it gets them super clean (while the dust sticks to the cloth instead of flying into the air and going everywhere). I’m sure vacuuming would also work (either with the extender vacuum nozzle or even a hand vac like our lovable Dirt Devil Kurv). Hope it helps!
xo,
Sherry
Thanks for all your help, I will try to send y’all before and after shots…I’m ordering the Wilma panels so I’ll have to wait for them to arrive… However, in the meantime while I’m waiting, the set of panels that I already have in another room will shortly be taken down and rehung 6″ higher…Thanks so much younghouselove, you’re THE BEST!!!!!
Blessings!!
I love the new curtains! I am currently trying to figure out what to do for window coverings in our breakfast area. Roman shades seem to be popular in kitchens but we already have the 2inch wood blinds throughout the house and I don’t want to take them down. Do roman shades generally mount inside the window frame? I actually hadn’t thought of pulling up the wood blinds to hide them behind the shades. Do you think the blind/shade/curtain combo in my living room is too much? This post sure did generate a lot of questions. Why are window coverings so difficult?
it looks like this was a busy curtain hanging weekend! i also hung my vivian curtains yesterday. my living room window has white vertical blinds, which sherry suggested that we just keep pulled to the side unless we need the privacy.
i couldn’t find the bamboo shades at walmart, but i’ll check the other suggestions this week. also, overstock.com has a bunch on sale.
great tip on the roller shades as well.
thanks for your great ideas!
What species of plants do you have in your home? I really find the little plant on your tv stand unique! Where do you purchase your plants & pots?
Hey Amy,
That little guys happens to be a burro tail from Home Depot in a cheap Ikea pot. Here’s a post all about the plants we love and the pots we adore. Hope it helps!
xoxo,
Sherry
I know I’m way behind here, but I love what you’ve done with your windows. I love that they all tie in together and have made your rooms so much more open and airy.
We have a large window in our living room that I’d love to try this on, however, we have a sliding glass patio door on the same wall. Would it look weird to have curtains at different heights on the same wall? Would it be weird to use the roman blinds on the patio door? What do you think?
Hey Krystal,
I’d use the blinds and the curtains on both the windows and the sliding glass door for instant cohesion and balance. I’d also go out of my way to hang them at the same level (cheat one set higher so they look more symmetrical and balanced). Hope it helps!
xoxo,
Sherry
I’m also at a loss on what window coverings to use. We have a guest room and computer room on the north side of the house each with only one window (makes the rooms dark). Our house is very contemporary in style and I found some two-inch white wood blinds on Overstock that I want to order. I’m not sure if I can use the wood blinds and curtains or should I go with something different? The blinds will be open most of the time unless we have guests. Each window is 37Wx57H.
We recently built our house and I have no window coverings yet because I don’t know where to start.
Hey Jill,
Hanging your curtains high and wide on each window will help to let in maximum light (instead of each panel blocking half of the window hang them wide enough so the panel is in front of the wall so the window appears to be much larger). As for what to choose, any sort of floor-length panel always looks crisp and clean with wood blinds, so you really can’t go wrong. If solid white doesn’t work for you, ivory or tan or even a golden wheat color is usually always current and lovely- and since your house is contemporary in style you might want to go with something with a grommet at the top instead of a tab. Ikea has some great affordable options. Hope it helps! Happy hanging…
xo,
Sherry
I will be ordering the wood blinds from selectblinds.com. They custom make blinds to fit your unusual sized windows at a fraction of the cost from other retailers.
I also found the KAJSA curtains on IKEA’s website…love them but they can only be bought in the the store, not online. I live 4 hours from the nearest IKEA…bummer. Will keep looking.
Wow! Your den ceiling now looks 50% higher than before. That really made a big difference.
Totally! Floor length curtains hung high and wide are such an easy way to add height to any room!
xo,
s
Hey YHLovers!
I’ve become totally obsessed with your website and design ideas – they are so fantastic and smart! I just had a quick question – is the expression oil rubbed bronze or oil rubber bronze… I typed it into google trying to find some cabinet hardware and it keeps asking me if “I mean ‘oil rubbed bronze’ instead”… just wanted to check!
Keep up the amazing ideas! Can’t wait to see how the basement turns out!
Hey Steph,
It’s oil rubbed bronze. The term is actually based on how brassy bronze hardware looks when it’s covered in oil (a deeelicious deep bronzy brown tone so the brass is gone for a totally current effect). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
If we could just get an Ikea in Richmond (ok and maybe a Wegmans!) I’d be such a happy camper……Anyway, my ceilings are 10′ high and curtains have always been a challenge. And a room without curtains, not for me. My two main sources are Ikea and JCP catalogue, though I’m excited about something I just read on a blog about the drop cloths at Lowe’s for $10 each, 98″ long. The heavy rustic texture of these sound just about perfect for my den.