Tackling Those Tricky Expansive Vistas
If you’re like me, you’ve probably moved into a home with those grand, picture-perfect windows that let in tons of natural light – but then felt completely stumped on how to dress them. I mean, how do you make a 10-foot wide expanse look polished and put-together without making it feel like you’re living in a fishbowl?
Well, my friends, that’s where the magic of long drapery panels comes in. As an interior designer in Philadelphia, I’ve helped countless clients transform their wide, cavernous windows into cozy, inviting oases – and I’m here to share my secrets with you.
The Skinny on Fabric Widths
Let’s start with the basics. Standard decorator fabric typically comes in 54-inch widths, which can vary a bit from 50 to 58 inches. Now, if you have a regular-sized window that’s 30 to 36 inches wide, a single width of fabric is only going to be about 20 inches wider than the window itself. Not exactly the grand, luxurious look we’re going for, am I right?
As interior designer Linda Merrill points out, designer-quality drapery treatments are usually at least 1.5 widths per panel (that’s a 72-inch finished width) or even 2 widths (a 98-inch finished width). And that’s where the magic happens.
Achieving That Plush, Pulled-Back Look
By using long, generously-sized panels, you can create that utterly sumptuous, pulled-back look that makes your windows the true showpiece of the room. Think of it like a grand ball gown – the more fabric, the better!
Of course, you’ll want to factor in some additional width for side hems and seams, which can reduce the total width by a few inches. And if you really want to dial up the drama, go for custom, lined and interlined panels – that extra heft and fullness will make your windows look like a million bucks.
Sizing It Up
Now, let’s talk specifics. Say you have a window that’s 96 inches wide (that’s 8 feet, folks!). To get that gloriously full, layered look, you’ll want to go with at least two 54-inch wide panels per side – that’s a total of 216 inches of fabric.
But what if your window is a bit more, shall we say, petite? No worries – you can still achieve that lush, luxurious look. The custom window treatment experts at Home Curtains Philadelphia recommend using 1.5 widths per panel, even for smaller windows. That means a 36-inch wide window would look stunning with two 54-inch panels on each side, for a total of 108 inches of fabric.
The Finishing Touches
Of course, it’s not just about the width – the height of your panels is equally important. You’ll generally want to mount your rods 4 to 10 inches above the window frame, and let the panels pool gracefully on the floor for that extra touch of elegance.
And let’s not forget about that all-important fullness. As the Curtain Shop experts advise, you’ll want to aim for a minimum of 2 times the window width in total panel width to achieve that lush, pulled-back look. For those wider windows, you might even want to go for 2.5 or 3 times the width for seriously dramatic results.
Bringing It All Together
So, there you have it – my top tips for tackling those wide, expansive windows with the perfect long, luxurious drapery panels. Whether your windows are massive or modest, the key is to think big, bold, and beautiful.
And remember, the talented team at Home Curtains Philadelphia is always here to help guide you through the process, from measuring to fabric selection to custom installation. Because when it comes to making a statement with your windows, I truly believe that bigger is better.
Happy decorating, my friends!
