How to Hang Curtains in a Bay Window

Continuing on with my home office makeover, one major project I had to tackle were the windows, particularly how to cover them. We inherited blue metal blinds from the previous owner, which I’ve since taken down, but have yet to identify affordable shades or other nice, normal blinds of this decade. But in the mean time I had to figure out the hanging curtains in a bay window situation.

I had seen rods that came in three connected pieces that flexed where they were joined, but they didn’t extend long enough for my windows. In the end I decided just to get three separate rods and hang those over each window, knowing the curtain panels would cover the gaps in the rods and the space on the walls.

First, I determined where my curtains should hang. To do this, put the curtains on the rod and get up on a ladder to see where the rod should go, based on where the curtains graze the floor. Some people like their curtains to pool on the floor, but I’m not a pooler. I think they collect dust, then its hard to sweep anyway. I like my curtains to float just above the floor. It’s a pretty scientific method.

Then I made a template to each rod would be installed at the same height. You can do this with a piece of cardboard. I wrote previously about how to hang curtains and where to put the brackets here. Simply mark on the wall where the bracket should go. I used my how to hang items on plaster walls method too.

The rods I purchased had round finials at the ends, so I ended up just putting on the ones that were exposed since there wasn’t room to put all of them on when the ends of the rods were so close together.

Since my curtains were plain white and unlined, I ended up adding a one-sided white velor fabric I found for $1 a yard to line them and keep the room a little more warm in the winter. Plus I added this fabric to the bottom below the window ledges. Read about how to customize curtains and add length to curtains here.

When you add the fabric where the bottom of the window is, it helps keep your eye moving around the room, and not look so choppy.

I love when I finally get finished curtains up on the rod, it makes such a difference in a room! And I’ve been wanting to add ikat fabric someplace in the house and this really fit the bill for this space.

Now you know some secrets to hanging curtains in a bay window. I hope they will help you in your old or new house!

Here is where things stand with the office makeover to do list:

• Paint the ceiling and walls
• Clean the fireplace More on that here
• Remove the old gas insert More on that here
• Paint the fireplace brick and accent wall above
• Get and customize curtains
• Arrange the furniture in a functional layout
• Get a rug More on that here
• Create a gallery wall and hang other art
• Wallpaper the bookshelves More on that here
• Organize and de-clutter everything