Do I always have to hang curtains on a bay window to the floor. What are some options?

by catherine
(manor park new york)

My living room has a bay window that does not come to the floor and a double window. I am considering hanging a shorter curtain. Right now I have long curtains, that I hemmed because I have baseboard heating along both walls.

Do you think this will look o.k. or should I stick with the long curtain. Also the bay window is drafty. I was thinking of hanging a heavier curtain on top that would stay open all the time with holdbacks and sheer or lighter under, that I could open and close daily.

What do you think of this idea? Do you think shorter curtains and blinds or shades would be better? I have stayed away from blinds because I had babies, but now my children are 6 and 9 years old.

Please help if you have and other ideas that would work. That would be great. Thanks so much for your time Catherine.

Hi Catherine

To have long or short curtains is simply a matter of preference really. Me I prefer long curtains but that's just me.

I think your idea of heavy curtains to keep out the drafts would be a good idea. You could just close them on the odd occasion when it gets really cold or windy. Then the rest of the year dress them into pleats carefully and scoop them back into tie backs. This would really set of your window.

Then as you said again a working pair of lighter curtains for day to day use. If you plan where to fix your rods in advance you could get your working curtains to dissapear behind your heavy dressed curtains when open.

One option if wall space allows is to fix a straight decorative rod straight across the front of your bay to hang your heavy curtains. I know it would cover the bay and extra floor space, but you would only close the curtains on a few occasions a year. The working curtains could fix to the top of the window following the bay and sit to the window sill.

If you decide you want to try blinds now your chhildren are older then you have some safety options.

The first is for blinds with cords. Fit a cleet hook fairly high up and wrap the surplus cords around to keep out of reach.

The second is for loop cords or chains you can fit safety boxes. These fix to the wall and hold the loop at the bottom so children can't play with the loop and strangle themselves.

Most blind companies supply these now or you can buy them at hardware stores.


That's it for now I hope thatv gives you some food for thought.



Best Regards


Lee