Types of Windows & How to Dress Them

Why Window Type Matters

Before choosing a curtain heading, fabric or blind, look at the architecture and the way the opening is used. The practical constraints often narrow the options before the decorative decisions begin.

• How does the window or door open?
• Is there enough wall space for curtains to stack back?
• How much headroom is available above the frame?
• Is the recess deep enough for a blind or track?
• Are there radiators, projecting sills or furniture below?
• Will handles or shutters clash with the treatment?
• Is privacy or strong light control important?
• Does the hardware need to turn corners or follow a bay?

French Doors & French Windows

French doors combine a large glazed area with a working doorway, so the treatment must clear the handles and allow the doors to open freely. If a pole or track is fitted above the frame, enough width on each side helps the curtains stack away from the opening.

Where wall space is limited, a blind fitted to or close to each door can be more compact. The exact fixing method must be compatible with the door construction and must not interfere with handles, hinges or operation.

Arched Windows

An arched window can be treated as an architectural feature rather than something that must be completely covered. One approach is to place a straight pole or track above the full opening so the curtains frame both the arch and the lower window.

Another option is to leave the curved section exposed and dress only the rectangular area below the point where the arch begins. Bespoke shaped pelmets or specialist treatments are possible, but the fixing method needs to suit the actual curve and wall construction.

Bay & Bow Windows

Bay windows project from the wall in angled sections; bow windows form a softer curve. The main decision is whether the curtain hardware follows the bay or whether the treatment sits across the front of it.

A continuous bay track can allow curtains to follow the shape of the window. Alternatively, a pair of curtains can sit at the outer edges of the bay, or individual blinds can be fitted to the separate window sections. The best arrangement depends on the depth of the bay, furniture, sill, radiator and available stack-back space.

For angled or multi-section bays, record each straight section separately. See our How to Measure Curtains guide for bay-window measuring checks.

Dormer Windows

Dormer windows sit within a roof projection and often have limited width and headroom around the frame. A compact blind within the recess can be an efficient solution where there is little room for curtains to stack.

If there is sufficient wall and ceiling space, curtains can be fitted within the dormer or outside the recess. The key is to make sure the pole, track and fabric do not crowd the sloping walls or obstruct the window.

Small Windows

Small windows generally benefit from a treatment that does not overwhelm the opening. Roman or roller blinds can keep the window visually simple, while a narrow pair or single curtain can work where there is suitable wall space.

There is no rule that small windows must use plain or tiny-patterned fabric. Pattern scale should be judged in the context of the room, but very bulky headings, deep pelmets or excessive fabric can make a small opening feel crowded.

Tall & Narrow Windows

Tall narrow windows are common in many period properties and can be visually emphasised with full-length curtains. Keeping the treatment close to the vertical proportions of the opening often makes the window feel taller rather than wider.

Where there is little space above the architrave, avoid unnecessarily deep top treatments. A blind within the recess can also work well, particularly where the wall space beside the window is limited.

Skylights & Rooflights

A sloping roof window needs a treatment that stays close to the glazing rather than hanging vertically away from it. For most modern rooflights, a blind designed for the particular window system is the simplest and most practical approach.

Blackout or room-darkening versions can be useful in bedrooms, while lighter blinds can reduce glare without removing all daylight. Check compatibility with the exact rooflight model and opening mechanism before ordering.

Wide Windows

Wide windows need hardware that can span the opening safely and operate smoothly. A long track may need additional support, and the curtain specification should consider how much fabric will stack at each side when open.

Pairs of curtains, multiple panels or a compatible Wave system can all work on large widths. The best choice depends on the heading, fabric weight, number of openings and whether the curtains need to draw frequently.

Shuttered Windows

Working shutters already provide privacy and light control, so curtains are optional rather than essential. If curtains are added for softness, colour or another layer of insulation, the pole or track should be positioned so the shutters can still open fully.

Where shutters occupy most of the recess, an outside-mounted curtain treatment is often more practical than trying to squeeze additional hardware into the same space.

Difficult & Awkward Windows

Some windows are difficult because of their position rather than their shape. A nearby door, a tight corner or two openings set very close together can determine the most sensible curtain layout.

Quick Window Treatment Comparison

Before Choosing the Treatment

• Photograph the whole wall, not just the window.
• Measure the opening, recess and available wall space.
• Record the opening direction of doors and windows.
• Note handles, radiators, sills and furniture.
• Decide how much light and privacy control you need.
• Consider where the curtains will stack when open.
• Choose the hardware before confirming the finished drop where possible.
• For bays and irregular shapes, record each section separately.

Types of Windows FAQs

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