How to Dress Tall Windows
Dressing tall windows is all about proportion! Panels need to be wider, hems and headings need to be beefier, and hardware needs to be of a larger diameter.
So, let’s address each one of these individually: Typically a pair of drapery side panels is one and one half widths of fabric per side that is stacked back to about 20” or so. On a two story window of the same width, we would make those panels at least two widths of fabric per side that is stacked back to about 30” or so. While these mathematics may not mean much to you, just remember that you want your draperies to look substantial.
Besides the panels themselves being wider, the headings on the top of the panels and hems on the bottom of the panels also need to be proportionately bigger. A typical hem or header is 4” long. For a tall window, we often increase one or both items to 6” or 8”.
Hardware for tall windows needs to be larger. Standard size wood rods are 1 3/8” or 2” in diameter. For a tall window, however, we would increase that to a 3” wood rod. The more substantial wrought iron rods which typically measure 1”- 1 ½” should be replaced with a 2” wrought iron rod on a tall window. This change in hardware is necessary to properly enhance the beautiful, fuller drapes. You don’t want the rod that your beautiful draperies are hanging from to look like a pencil up there! Rings, brackets, and finials also need to match this larger circumference.
When dressing tall windows, draperies must cover the full height of the windows. When you treat just the lower half of a tall window you end up visually chopping your room in half. Bring the eye up to the drama of the windows. However, privacy blinds or shades may be installed just on the lower part of the window. Privacy and light glare are generally not a concern on the upper windows. If they are, then motorization is the way to go on the second story windows. And of course, we can help you with that too.
Tall windows are dramatic and deserve a dramatic treatment. Give us a call at Well Dressed Windows to help dress your tall windows, or any other window project. www.DressedWindows.com