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Q & A – How Should Andrea Dress Her Corner Windows?

Andrea needs help with deciding how to dress her corner windows on either side of her fireplace.

how to dress corner windows - 1

how to dress corner windows - 2

Here’s what she said:

How do I dress these 4 corner windows flanking my fireplace? Do I just use a corner attachment to attach the rods,since the windows are so narrow? I don’t like it when there is so little space and decorative finials are just there and look weird in the corner. Do I not use a rod with a decorative finial or just the one side (not in the corner)? Do I just use one panel per window or will having the corner connector allow me to add a set of panels per window for fullness and treat the adjacent windows as one (hope that makes sense?)with the corner taking on excess.

I had hoped to do a drape and some coordinating layer- maybe a sheer , not too fussy, possibly a blind (not sure if I want a plain fabric roman or what). Please no- window scarves- this is the room with the t.v. in it- and will need it to be able to block out the light. The floors are a medium dark wood, and the kitchen space (open concept) which is adjacent has dark espresso cabinets so I was unsure if a wood roman would clash- or do I find one in similar color. For now- the walls stay builder beige, and yes- I hate the fact that the t.v. is wired for over the fireplace but it is what it is.

Kristi’s Suggestions:

First, I have no problem at all with a t.v. above the fireplace. Sometimes, it’s just the best place for it. And second, you will never, ever, ever see me recommend window scarves to anyone…ever. 🙂

So with that said, I would definitely recommend drapery panels, and I would treat each window separately as far as the panels go. Two panels (one on each side) for each window.

Here’s an example of corner windows in a bedroom designed by one of my absolute favorite designers, Tobi Fairley.

Contemporary Bedroom by Tobi Fairley

You can see that she dealt with corner windows by treating each window individually…and appropriately. What I mean by that is that on the big window, the fullness of the draperies is appropriate for a window of that width (each panel looks like at least two widths of fabric), while the smaller window has drapery panels that don’t have quite so much fullness to them (perhaps just one width of fabric per panel).

Since your windows appear to be the same width, I would suggest dressing them individually, but obviously you would use the same width of panels on each window.

If you line your fabric with blackout lining, that will give you the option of blocking out the light completely, which might be perfect for movie nights during the long days of the summer.

For light filtering, you could certainly do either a Roman shade or sheers. I personally think that a matchstick Roman shade would be a great option, and would bring the color of your kitchen cabinets over to your windows.

As far as the hardware, this is what I suggest…

how to dress corner windows - drapery rod configuration

You do not have room on the ends closest to the fireplace for a finial, so I wouldn’t try to force one in there. It’ll look cramped and awkward, and will push your drapery panel (which already won’t have as much room on that side as it does on the corner side) over even further onto the window, and you don’t want that.

So instead, I suggest attaching that end directly to the side wall of the firpelace. You can do this by using pole connectors (look like screws on both ends), and screwing one end into a wall anchor in the drywall, and then screwing your drapery rod into the other end.

In the corners, use corner connectors to attach the two rods and make them one continuous rod.

And then on the ends that extend out into the room, that’s where I would add the finials. So for all four windows, you only have a total of two finials.

This arrangement will give the impression of one, long continuous drapery rod that extends through the fireplace wall and out the other side, and wraps around all of the windows.

Now one other option (just because you do have so little room on the side of the windows closest to the fireplace) is to use one panel per window, and open them both towards the corner like this…

how to dress corner windows - bedroom by designing solutions via houzzTraditional Bedroom by Silver Spring Kitchen & Bath Designers Designing Solutions

Just remember that with this option, you still want to have the appropriate width of fabric for each window! So purchasing two ready-made panels and hanging them in the corner won’t work. If you’d normally hang one panel on each side of the window, then you’ll need one double-width panel for each window in order to do this corner configuration.

Quite honestly, this would be my second choice, and only if you can’t get the panels to look right considering how little room you have on the fireplace side of the windows. If you can make it work (and possible use the panels to disguise the fact that the window isn’t centered in that space) then I definitely like the first option better for your windows.

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23 Comments

  1. This is a beautiful space!

    I am not as knowledgeable about what is out there to decorate with, but I absolutely LOVE the idea of the corner rods – I have never seen those before!

    My first instinct was to suggest that a sheer or lightweight curtain be hung in each window and held back with one of those grabbers. For each corner window set, pull the curtain in the right window to the right, and the curtain in the left window to the left. Drapes can be hung from the corner rods (shown above) and can easily be slid to open and close.

    I know my curtain idea is a bit old-fashioned, but my knowledge of current decor is limited. 🙂

    I hope you show us a photo of what you decide to do once you have done it. I would love to see it!

  2. Kristi’s ideas were along the lines of mine, except I couldn’t figure out a way to give the illusion of a continuous rod.

  3. Squeee!!! Kristi-You pretty much nailed what I had been leaning towards and couldn’t pull the trigger on. I fell in love with the matchstick blinds when you showed your room. The elbow rod corner thing solves THAT problem but the icing on the cake- is finishing the rod into the side of the fireplace wall. THAT solved a problem I didn’t even know bothered me! Or maybe it did but couldn’t quite put my finger on- odd finial placement. I had been worried about the corner. Oh I’m so excited to move forward now. YAY!!!! So excited to read all the suggestions. 😀
    Thank you!!! ( my husband thanks you) 😉

  4. What a beautiful problem to have. Kristi’s first choice is my first choice, also. And I would use semi sheers underneath to block the view of the neighbor’s house even when the drapes are pulled open, but allows filtered light in. The tv above the fireplace is ideal in this room, as it will be part of the featured wall rather than detract from it. The only thing is, the tv must never look as large or carry the same weight of the fireplace. Make your flatscreen (preferably LED edge lit) a lot smaller than the opening, just center it in the opening. LED edge lit will use only pennies on the dollar compared to one that is not. I only use Sharp Aquas LED edge lit, but there are others. What a wonderful new home you are blessed with! Enjoy it.

    1. After working 32 years for a rural electric cooperative, I’m and energy freak. Energy conservation is very important to every one of us to continue to have energy sources for our grandchildren. Even if a person can afford a HUGE energy bill does not mean they should be greedy enough to use it. I’ll get down off my soap box now.

  5. Hello. My very first thought when I seem this space was WINDOW SEATS L shaped and tons of pillows with nice fabric roman shades and cordinating fabrics. That’s what I’d do personally

  6. Make it a reading nook. Book shelves bench in both sides with storage underneath. TV above fireplace. Just make a quiet little nook but modern in mind. Let me know what your choose was viva e-mail.

    Thanks for the chance
    Doreen

  7. My bedroom is a very close re-interpretation of Tobi’s. I think her window design is grand. Your advice for the odd side windows is spot on.

  8. Just tucked this information away for later usage. Love Kristi’s first idea for Andrea’s room. I have a similar problem with 2 windows in my living room — 1 window looks out on the back yard, and the other window is looking out over our deck. On the opposite side of the room there is only one window that looks out over our side yard. (You can bet that I had no say in how this house was designed!). We’ve been living here for almost 4 years, and I totally dislike my living room for that very reason. I put up sheer white panels (with an embossed design on them) on all those windows, plus the same panels at our dining room window. (sort of open concept, at least in this part of the house). I kept the rods and finials that the previous owner used to save a little money. The previous owner of the home had 2 different sets of window panels on these windows — they were horribly faded gold panels that didn’t go with the painters’ beige walls, and at least now they are all the same, and the painters’ beige has been covered by a colour called chocolate mousse. (Lowe’s Valspar paint).

  9. Great solution, Kristi! Love the idea of the ‘continuous’ rods. Lining the drapes with blackout linings and being able to close them completely to view movies will be a functional solution for this room. As far as sizing the tv to be smaller than the fireplace, I don’t agree with that. This is a media room and it seems to me that the tv should be sized to the viewing distance of those seated in the room.

    Andrea, you have a beautiful room, and with Kristi’s suggestions, it wlll be both functional and fabulous. I do hope you will share your completed project with us.

  10. I made my corner rods for my corner windows out of dowels and made a 45 degree cut in the corner nod matched them and it looks like a single rod. Tried to sent a pic. But it said not a complete email address.

    1. This is a good description- if I can’t find the corner elbow things or the rods I want/need for such small length in the size I need/want- I may do that! Plus I found inside mounts for drapery hardware (it’s basically what a closet rod mount is- the kind that you can pop out on one side) so that will work with attaching it at the fireplace. I’m searching high and low for the hardware. 😀

  11. What would you recommend for the same situation (corner windows) that already have faux wood blinds?

    1. Ginger, This is such a pretty living room. I love the pops of yellow, blue wall color, the curtain fabric, and the new wood floor. A job well done :-)!

  12. You may want to think of using a “cleaner” less fussy look with just roman shades in a fun fabric. If they can be inset, all the better. BTW- if you are looking for the corner rods, even JCPenney carries them.

  13. Love Kristi’s idea. I would add what we have in our house, which is narrow natural wood blinds. They are great for filtering light, or for making it quite dark, and they can be pulled up rather high out of the way also. They were there when we moved in, and at first I wasn’t sure I like them, but I do now. They are dust catchers, though…

  14. I’m with Verna. I was thinking roman shades as well. Print or plain. The windows are such a statement by themselves. A curtain would make it seem to stuffy. Too much froo froo.

  15. Many drapery hardware companies sell decorative flat end caps that you can use when you don’t have room for a finial. That way you the end of the rod still looks finished, but it doesn’t take up the same room as a finial.