The Well Dressed Window
Why the right window treatment can completely transform a room.
When it comes to interior design, window treatments are often the unsung heroes. They do so much more than filter light, they add softness, depth, and balance to a room. I hate to see an undressed window! Whether you’re starting from scratch or finishing off a space, the right window treatment can completely transform how your home feels.
I see window dressings as the final layer. The detail that ties everything together with comfort, texture, and elegance. But that doesn’t mean they’re an afterthought. A fabric choice can often be the starting point for a scheme, with everything else flowing from that inspiration.
Beyond their practical purpose of privacy and light control, window treatments define the mood of a room. They can make a space feel taller, cosier, or more refined depending on how they’re styled. Think of them as the frame around your view - the finishing detail that completes your interior story.
Image: Grand Hall at Project Poppy.
Types of Window Treatments
Curtains
Classic, timeless, and endlessly customisable. Curtains bring warmth and softness to any room, and can be tailored in so many ways. From light, sheer fabrics that beautifully diffuse natural light, to lined drapes that add structure and weight.
Tip one: Hang curtains as high and wide as possible to make windows feel larger and ceilings taller.
Tip two: When dressing a bay window, extend your curtain pole beyond the bay and pull the curtains fully to the sides. This draws the eye outward, giving the illusion of a wider window and larger room, plus, it allows more light to flood in. A small tweak with a big visual payoff!
Image: Drawing the eye out at Project Poppy in the Drawing Room.
How to Choose the Perfect Trim for Your Curtains
Match the Style of the Room
For classic or traditional spaces, try braid, tassel, or velvet trims for a rich, decorative touch.
For modern or relaxed interiors, opt for simple tapes, contrast piping, or woven borders to keep things clean and contemporary.
Play with Contrast
A contrasting trim can frame your curtains beautifully, adding definition and personality.
For a softer, seamless look, go tone-on-tone in a slightly different texture.
Think About Placement
Trims can run down the leading edges, along the bottom, or even around a pelmet for a cohesive finish.
Use them sparingly. A little detail can make a big impact.
Tip: Always order a sample before deciding. Lighting and texture can completely change how a colour appears in your space.
Roman Blinds
Roman blinds offer a more structured look, ideal for smaller spaces or where floor-length curtains aren’t practical. They provide a clean, tailored finish and layer beautifully under sheers for a designer touch.
Tip: Choose a textured fabric or subtle pattern to add interest without overwhelming the room.
Add a Pelmet…
For a classic or formal feel, go for a structured, upholstered pelmet with clean lines or subtle trim.
For a modern or relaxed space, a simple flat-front pelmet or soft fabric style feels lighter.
Proportion matters: A pelmet should sit comfortably above the window, roughly one-sixth of its height, without visually lowering the ceiling.
Blend or Contrast: Match your pelmet fabric for a seamless, elegant look, or use contrast for texture and depth.
Hide the Hardware: Pelmets conceal curtain tracks and rods for a polished, tailored finish. They even help insulate by trapping warmth and blocking drafts.
Tip one: In living rooms and bedrooms, heavier fabrics (like linen blends) drape beautifully and offer excellent light control.
Tip two: Mount the blind a few inches above and beyond the window frame to make it look taller and let in more light.
Image: Scallop shaped Roman blinds paired with a cafe curtain in the guest bedroom at Project Daffodil
Roller Blinds
Simple and functional, roller blinds are brilliant paired behind Romans or shutters. I often use them in bedrooms, especially kids’ rooms, so the Romans act as “dress blinds” only. You can even go motorised for convenience; just tap the remote as you jump into bed for instant blackout.
Rollers are great in kitchens, bathrooms, and home offices too, available in blackout, dim-out, or sheer fabrics, they’re easy to tailor to your needs.
Tip: When measuring for roller blinds, check that your window opens outward and has a recess depth of at least 6cm. If not, you’ll need to fit the blinds outside the recess.
Relax the Look…
Relaxed Roman blinds are my absolute favourite. They have that effortlessly stylish, lived-in charm that instantly softens a space. Their gentle curve and loose folds feel casual yet considered. The kind of detail that makes a room feel both refined and inviting.
Perfect in a light linen or soft cotton, they let in just the right amount of light while still offering privacy, creating that dreamy, filtered glow every home deserves. Whether you’re styling a calm neutral palette or layering textures for a cozy, collected look, relaxed Romans add that quiet touch of elegance that says home, without trying too hard.
Image: A ‘relaxed’, linen roman blind in the family bathroom at Project Orchid.
Shutters
For a timeless, architectural look, shutters add instant structure and style. They’re brilliant for controlling light and privacy, and suit both period homes and clean, contemporary spaces.
Do note that depending on the shutter style, you can lose up to 30% of natural light even when open… Something to consider in north-facing rooms.
Tip: White or soft neutral shutters (like natural oak) keep things light and classic, while darker tones create a striking contrast.
Image: Primary bedroom at Project Jasmine where we paired the shutters with an electric, blackout roller blind behind the shutters.
Sheer Voiles and Layers
Layering adds depth and a touch of luxury. A sheer voile paired with a heavier curtain or Roman blind creates a relaxed, curated look. I especially love light linen voiles on large bi-folds or French doors. Its a simple, elegant way to soften open-plan spaces without a big budget.
Tip: Layering balances light control with softness, perfect for living rooms and bedrooms.
Café Curtains
A Parisian comeback with soft, practical charm. If you know my work, you’ll know I’m a big fan. Café curtains offer privacy without blocking sunlight, adding elegance without overpowering a space.
They’re brilliant in kitchens or rooms with lots of hard finishes…. a lovely way to introduce texture and warmth.
Fact: Café curtains originated in 19th-century European cafés as a practical, affordable way to balance privacy and sunlight for the lower half of the window.
Image: Linen blend cafe curtain in the Kitchen at Project Corolla.