Window Treatments for Large Windows
Large windows are a beautiful addition for any home, but knowing how to cover them can be a challenge. Luckily, there are lots of window treatments for large windows that will help you control your light and privacy, add style to your interior, improve your home’s energy efficiency and more. Choosing the right one for your home will depend on your personal preferences in terms of style and functionality.
To learn which window treatments for large windows will be best for your home, first discover the types of window coverings for large windows. Then, learn about what factors you need to consider in choosing the right one, or combination, for your space. Finally, explore curated window treatment ideas for large windows to inspire your own design.
Types of Window Treatments for Large Windows
There are many different types of window coverings for large windows, each with their own benefits, the most common being:
And within these larger categories are even more options with different aesthetic styles and functionalities, so you have a lot to choose from to find the right one for your space. Learn more about your options to determine which is right for your space.
Drapery for Large Windows
Drapery is a popular choice as window treatments for large windows because they can be hung high and wide to cover a large expanse, giving you excellent privacy and light control. Plus, they’re a stylish option, with lots of pleat styles, fabrics, lining and hardware options to choose from to find the perfect look to complement your existing interior décor.
Pleat Styles to Suit Your Aesthetic
Drapery is available in eight pleat styles, from modern Ripple Fold to traditional Pinch Pleat to elegant Goblet Drapery and more. Choosing the right pleat style is about functionality as much as it is aesthetics, as not all pleat styles are compatible with all hardware types.
Stylish & Functional Hardware
Hardware falls into two main categories: rod and rings systems and track systems. Rod and rings are more traditional and offer a lot of style options. They can be used functionally with the right pleat style. Track systems are sleek and modern and offer the easiest functionality as they allow you to effortlessly slide your drapery panels back and forth. Since functionality is especially important for window treatments for large windows, when choosing hardware, make sure it’s compatible with your preferred pleat style and gives you the functionality you need.
Extensive Fabric Selection
Your fabric selection for Drapery is one of the largest, with hundreds of colors and patterns to choose from to find the perfect complement to your existing interior décor. For window treatments for large windows, it’s that much more important to choose the right color and pattern since the tall, wide drapery panels will make a big impact on your room’s aesthetic. A safe bet is to go with a neutral tone like off-white, beige or grey curtains either solidly colored or with a subtle pattern for visual texture.
Lining for Privacy & Light Control
Drapery lining includes privacy, blackout and interlining options all of which offer greater privacy and light control. Lining also helps protect your drapery fabric from the sun’s harsh rays, gives your panels a more full, lush appearance, and can provide better insulation, especially with interlining, for greater interior temperature control.
Blinds for Large Windows
When considering Blinds for large windows it’s important to distinguish between the two main types of blinds: Blinds with horizontal slats and Vertical Blinds made of material on a panel track system. Both types can be a great choice as window treatments for large windows depending on your preferences and functional needs.
- Blinds with horizontal slats: This style features slats that can be lifted and lowered as well as tilted to give you greater control over your privacy and light. These traditional blinds come in two main styles: Wood Blinds and Metal Blinds. These blinds only come with a cordless lift control so may not be ideal if you plan to lift and lower your window treatment regularly. However, with their tiltable slats, Wood and Metal Blinds can still make an excellent choice for large windows.
- Vertical Blinds: Vertical panels of material run on a track system that you can easily adjust back and forth. Plus, they can be made quite tall to cover your window.
Learn more about each to determine if either is right for your window coverings for large windows.
Wood Blinds
Wood Blinds are made from sustainable American Basswood and deliver warm wood tones that add an inviting natural element to your space. An important consideration for these is whether you’ll want to lift and lower them, as they’re only compatible with cordless lift control which likely isn’t ideal for large windows. However, their tiltable slats make privacy and light control a breeze.
metal blinds
Metal Blinds are made from light, durable aluminum and offer modern, sleek look in several metallic finishes. Just like Wood Blinds, 2-inch Metal Blinds are only compatible with cordless lift so they may not be ideal for large windows unless you only plan to tilt the slats for privacy and light control. Keep in mind as well that 1-inch Metal Blinds only come with tilt functionality and no lift.
Vertical Blinds
Featuring vertical panels made of light-filtering Roller Shade or Solar Shade material, Vertical Blinds offer excellent UV protection while still letting in warm natural light. Plus, as the blinds operate on a panel track system, they’re easy to use and great for covering a wide expanse, such as wall-to-wall windows or wide sliding glass doors.
Shades for Large Windows
Shades come in a variety of styles that range in their aesthetics as well as functionality. Each has its own unique characteristics and benefits, so you can find the perfect match for your wants and needs.
Find out more about the different styles of shades to determine if one of these window treatments for large windows is right for you.
Roller & Solar Shades
Roller and Solar Shades both feature material that wraps around a tube as it is lifted and lowered. Solar Shades are unique in that they block UV rays while still letting natural light through. Roller Shades can be made of either light-filtering or blackout material depending on the level of light and privacy control you need. Both Roller and Solar Shades are super easy to use and can fit a wide range of window sizes, making them ideal for use as window treatments for large windows.
Roman Shades
Roman Shades come in six unique styles, some of which are more functional than others and make for a better choice for your large windows. Like Drapery, Roman Shades come in hundreds of fabrics and also have lining options available including privacy, blackout and interlining so you can get a look you love with the functionality you need.
Woven Wood Shades
Woven Wood Shades are made with natural, eco-friendly materials and offer an inviting organic look. These shades come in four styles, three of which are similar to the Flat and Cascade Roman Shades come with privacy and blackout lining options. The fourth style is just like a Roller Shade and is not compatible with linings. All styles are highly functional, making them a good choice as window coverings for large windows.
Cellular Shades
Cellular Shades feature honeycomb cells in either single- or double-cell designs that offer excellent insulation as they trap hot and cold air alike. This type of shade is highly versatile and easy to operate while having a simple, sleek design. Light filtering and blackout material options are available so you can achieve the right level of light and privacy control.
Thinking About DIY Install?
Many Shades, Blinds and Drapery from The Shade Store can be DIY installed, but we still highly recommend using our professionals to ensure proper installation that’s covered under our warranty. Review the install guide for your chosen product to determine whether you feel comfortable DIYing the job. REVIEW INSTALL GUIDES
Motorized Window Treatments for Large Windows
When considering window treatments for large windows, motorization can be a gamechanger. This is because the size and height of large windows often makes it difficult to adjust your window treatments on a regular basis. Motorization changes that by offering easy, effortless control of your window treatments with just a touch of a button on a remote or through an app on your smartphone. Some motorized window treatments can also be paired with your smart home device like Amazon Alexa or Google Home so you can control your window treatments with the sound of your voice. With motorization, the width, height and weight of your window treatments for large windows won’t be a limiting factor to their functionality.
Factors to Consider When Making your choice
Now that you know all your options for window treatments for large windows, you’re ready to start narrowing your choices. Take these factors into consideration when selecting your window treatments to make sure you get the right style aesthetically and functionally.
Size & Shape of Your Windows
Are your large windows tall, wide or both? And do they have any special architectural features such as arched windows or elaborate crown molding at the top of the window trim? These factors will affect not only which types of window treatments for large windows will be best but also how you mount them. For arched windows, for instance, you have the option of installing your window treatment just below the arched portion, so it remains open to let light in, or installing your window treatment above the arch to cover the entire window.
Light & Privacy Control
How much light do you want to let into your room and how much privacy do you need? Different materials and linings can give varying degrees of light and privacy control, so you’ll need to think about how important each one is for your room. If blackout effect is desired, you’ll likely need to combine a blackout window treatment like Blackout Roller Shades or blackout-lined Roman Shades with blackout-lined Drapery to achieve the best room darkening effect. If some light is desired along with excellent privacy, privacy-lined shades or Drapery can be a great choice.
Functionality & Use
How often will you be adjusting your window treatments? And do you have any limitations for adjusting them manually, such as difficulty reaching high or gripping a chain? Your answers will determine which control type is best for your window coverings for large windows. For the best, easiest functionality, go with motorization. Continuous loop control systems are great options for manual control, but may take a bit of effort if your window treatment is very tall or very wide. Cordless control for your Shades or Blinds is often unsuitable for large windows as it will be difficult to lift and lower very wide window treatments and you’ll only be able to lift them as high as you can reach.
Energy Efficiency
Do your large window let in too much sunlight or do they allow a draft into the home? The right window treatments for large windows can do wonders for preventing heat buildup or blocking a draft. For the best energy efficiency, go with Cellular Shades, which trap hot and cold air in their honeycomb cells, or opt for Drapery with interlining, which is excellent at blocking a draft and heat-generating sunlight. If you live in a warm climate and simply need to control heat buildup from the sun, Solar Shades can offer you the perfect solution by blocking heat-generating UV rays while still letting in natural light for you to enjoy. Plus, they come in different transparency levels that can maintain your view of the outdoors, which is the whole raison d’être of large windows to begin with.
Style & Aesthetics
How do you want your large windows to look and what do you want your window treatments to bring to them. Large windows are a beautiful architectural feature in any home, so your window treatments should enhance their appearance rather than cover them up. This piece of the puzzle is entirely based off your preferences, but you should certainly take your existing interior décor into consideration to create a cohesive aesthetic. For a light, airy and minimalist aesthetic, consider light-filtering Roller Shades or sheer Drapery. If you prefer an opulent, eye-catching look, try elegant drapery made of a bright silk fabric or elegant pattern. Or, for a simple, organic aesthetic, choose Woven Wood Shades.
Window Treatment Ideas for Large Windows
With options for window coverings for large windows under your belt, as well as factors to consider when making your selections, you’re ready to explore inspiring examples to get your creativity flowing. Get a sense for how each space is curated with these window treatment ideas for large windows that accentuate the windows while providing the functionality the space needs.
Drapery on Tall Arched Windows
For tall arched windows in a modern living room, opt for off-white Ripple Fold Drapery mounted on a track system on the ceiling. The soft, linear design of the Ripple Fold Drapery, with its S-curves will contrast nicely with the curve of the arched windows. Plus, Ripple Fold Drapery creates a tight stack (amount of space it takes up when pulled off the windows) so it can likely sit between the arched windows when not needed for light or privacy control. With a motorized track system, adjusting your drapery as needed will be a breeze.
Pictured: Ripple Fold Drapery, Wool Flannel in Glacier
Solar Shades on Wall-to-Wall Windows
Have a modern, minimalist space with wide wall-to-wall windows or sliding glass doors? Maintain your sleek, minimalist look while controlling heat buildup with Solar Shades in a neutral tone that matches the rest of your space, like grey or beige. For a barely-there look, try a material with a transparency level of 5% or 10%, which blocks 95% or 90% of UV rays while offering an almost unobstructed view to the outdoors.
Pictured: Solar Shades, 5% Metallic in Zinc
Woven Wood Shades & Roller Shades on Tall Living Room Windows
For a mid-century-modern space that combines modern industrial elements with a soft organic touch, try layered Woven Wood Shades and light-filtering Roller Shades. The Roller Shades offer a sleek, modern look while being highly functional at filtering light and providing privacy. The Woven Wood Shades add a natural texture to the space that softens its overall look and feel while also improving light and privacy control.
Pictured: Inner Layer: Roller Shades, Chelsea in Charcoal and Outer Layer: Waterfall Woven Wood Shades, Artisan Weaves, Bayshore in Charcoal
Start Your Project with a Free Measurement
With insight and inspiration into window coverings for large windows, you’re ready to get started on your own project. If you’re considering window treatments for large windows from The Shade Store, you can take advantage of free professional measurements. Our team of professionals will ensure your window treatments cover the area they’re supposed to, plus it takes one more to-do item off your own checklist. Schedule free measurement today to get started.
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