Large windows are like major aesthetic upgrades, but they throw us off because everything we know about "normal" window treatments doesn't really apply to them. This makes it incredibly difficult to decide what window treatments to complement them with.

What’s even tougher is that large windows play by different rules. Their sheer size (and sometimes style) requires specific considerations so you don’t lose out on both functionality and style. But not to worry, we’ve gathered 14 window treatment ideas for different large windows, so you can stay confident.

But First, Know These Basic Rules

• Rule #1: Mount High and Wide. This is the single most important thing you can do. Mount your curtain rod or hardware at least 4 - 6 inches above the window frame, and extend it 6 - 12 inches beyond each side. If you have very tall windows, consider mounting right at the ceiling line. This trick will make your windows appear even larger and make sure your panels can be pulled completely clear of the glass when open.
• Rule #2: Allow Proper Fullness. Skimpy panels are terrible for elegant windows. For curtains, you want 2 to 2.5 times the window width in total fabric. So if your window is 8 feet wide, you need 16 - 20 feet of fabric total across all your panels. This creates those rich, luxurious folds that make everything look expensive (even if they aren’t).
• Rule #3: Get the Length Right. Your panels should either just "kiss" the floor or have a slight puddle (1-2 inches of fabric pooling on the ground, you might not measure this, so it’s fine to just have a small puddle). Never, ever hang them floating in mid-air, this just looks unfinished and throws off the proportions. For more casual spaces, having them barely graze the floor is perfect. For formal rooms, a slight puddle adds elegance.
• Rule #4: Consider The Use Case First. Ask yourself what you really need from these windows. Privacy during the day? Complete blackout at night? Protection from harsh afternoon sun? UV filtering to protect your furniture? Your primary function will guide you toward the best solution and help you avoid treatments that look pretty but don't actually solve your problems.

14 Window Treatment That Work with Large Windows

First, The Timeless Classics

1. Floor-to-Ceiling Curtain Panels

There's a reason interior designers reach for this solution first, it works every single time. Floor-to-ceiling panels always create an unbroken vertical line that makes your ceilings feel sky-high and your windows feel grand.

Choose panels that are generous in width (remember that 2x rule, we mentioned earlier) and hang them from a substantial rod that can handle the weight. Linen, cotton, or linen-look polyester work beautifully for most spaces. If you need privacy or light control, add blackout lining, it also makes cheaper panels feel more expensive by giving them body and weight.

Snug Budget Tip: Instead of buying custom panels, purchase ready-made panels in the longest length available and have them hemmed to your exact measurements. A local seamstress can do this for $15-30 per panel, giving you a semi-custom look for a fraction of the price. If you're handy with a sewing machine, it's a perfect weekend project.

2. Layered Sheers and Drapes

This is the noble older sister of the single-panel approach. You're basically creating a day-and-night system that gives you complete control over light and privacy. The sheer panels filter harsh sunlight during the day while maintaining your view and natural light. The heavier drapes provide privacy and coziness when you need it.

Use a double curtain rod system where the sheer panels hang on the back rod and the heavier panels hang on the front to prevent the two layers from getting tangled and makes them much easier to operate. Choose sheers in white, cream, or a very soft color to keep the daytime light clean and bright. Your heavier panels can be whatever color or pattern you like.

Installation-wise, make sure you're using a heavy-duty double rod, four panels create significant weight that cheap hardware can't handle. Mount everything high and wide using the same principles as single panels, but expect to use more robust wall anchors. Don’t use this method if your walls are weak.

Next, The Modern Minimalists

3. Wide-Slat Wood or Faux Wood Blinds

If you love the idea of clean lines and precise light control, go for wood blinds. For large windows, choose wider slats, about 2.5 to 3 inches minimum. Small slats create a busy, choppy look that doesn’t amplify the window’s style.

Real wood is gorgeous but can warp in humid conditions or very sunny exposures (let’s not even talk about the bugs). Faux wood blinds have come a long way and often look identical to real wood while being more stable and budget-friendly. They're also lighter, which matters when you're covering a large expanse.

For installation, you can mount inside the window frame for a built-in look, or outside the frame to make the window appear larger. Outside mounting also provides complete light blockage around the edges, something for you to consider if room darkening is important to you.

4. Sleek Roller Shades

Roller shades are popular minimalist window treatments. They virtually disappear when raised, showing your beautiful windows and views, then provide clean coverage when lowered.

The fabric you choose makes all the difference, though. Light-filtering fabrics create a soft, diffused glow that's perfect for living areas. Room-darkening fabrics are better for bedrooms or gaming/movie rooms. Solar shades block UV rays while maintaining some view, perfect for windows that face harsh afternoon sun.

For extra-large windows, consider motorization. It eliminates unsightly cords and makes usage effortless. Many modern systems can be controlled by apps or integrated into smart home systems, making it convenient.

Now, The Budget-Friendly Solutions

5. Ready-Made Panel Combinations

Here's a secret from professional decorators: you can create a customized look using multiple ready-made panels. Instead of buying two 50-inch panels for a large window, buy four 50-inch panels and hang them all together. This will give you the fullness and luxury of custom drapes at off-the-shelf prices.

IKEA, Target, and Amazon all carry extra-long panels (108 inches or longer) that work beautifully for tall windows. Choose panels in solid colors or very simple patterns, as busy prints can look overwhelming when multiplied across a large window.

Snug Tip: This approach works especially well if you choose all your panels in the same color family but vary the textures. Try mixing a smooth cotton panel with a linen-textured panel, or combine matte and subtle sheen fabrics. The slight variation keeps things interesting while maintaining overall cohesion.

6. DIY Drop Cloth Curtains

This has become a favorite trick among savvy decorators and DIYers. Canvas drop cloths from the paint store have a beautiful, relaxed texture that looks remarkably similar to expensive Belgian linen. At $15-25 for a large drop cloth, the price can't be beat.

The process is simple: buy drop cloths in the size you need (or sew multiple together for width), wash them 2 - 3 times to soften them up, and add curtain rod pockets or grommets. The natural wrinkled texture means they look great without ironing, a huge bonus if you’re a very busy person.

Snug Tip: For a more polished look, add fabric trim or borders in a contrasting color. Navy trim on cream drop cloth curtains, for example, creates a custom look that rivals expensive designer panels. If they get dirty or damaged, you can replace them without spending a lot.

Let’s Not Forget The Statement Makers

7. Patterned Roman Shades

Roman shades bring softness and style to large windows without the visual weight of full drapes. They're particularly beautiful in kitchens, breakfast nooks, and casual living areas where you want interest without overwhelming the space.

If you want these to work perfectly though, you should choose patterns that are appropriately sized; small prints will get lost, while oversized patterns can handle the window's proportions. Geometric patterns, large-scale florals, or bold stripes all work beautifully.

For very wide windows, try installing multiple shades side by side rather than trying to create one enormous shade. Three narrower shades often look more balanced and operate more smoothly than one very wide one. Make sure the shades align perfectly when lowered for a seamless look.

8. Woven Wood or Bamboo Shades

If you’re eco-conscious, you’ll love this!

These treatments bring wonderful natural texture and warmth to large windows. The organic feel helps balance the potentially stark geometry of big glass expanses, making the room feel more grounded and cozy.

Woven wood shades come in dozens of weave patterns and colors, from tight basketweaves that provide more privacy to open weaves that maintain more view. Since this is for large windows, choose medium to large weave patterns, because tiny weaves can look chaotic when covering a big window.

One practical advantage: these shades provide excellent UV protection while still allowing some natural light through. They're perfect for windows that face harsh sun but where you don't want to block the light completely. Many also come with privacy liners that can be added for evening coverage.

Ahah! The High-Performance Solutions

9. Motorized Cellular Shades

Cellular shades (also called honeycomb shades) are energy efficiency champions. Their unique construction creates air pockets that provide excellent insulation, really beneficial as some large windows can have heating and cooling challenges.

For large windows, motorization makes sense both practically and aesthetically. No dangling cords to tangle or break, and operating them is smooth and effortless even with wide, heavy shades. Many systems offer programmable operation, so your shades can automatically adjust throughout the day for optimal light and privacy.

The top-down/bottom-up feature available on many cellular shades is particularly useful for large windows. You can lower the top portion for privacy while keeping the bottom raised for natural light and outdoor views. It's the perfect window treatment for ground-floor rooms where you want privacy from passing pedestrians.

10. Automated Panel Track Systems

Think of these as the GenZ of vertical blinds. Large fabric or screen panels slide smoothly along overhead tracks, stacking neatly to one side when open. They're great for contemporary homes and work especially well for sliding patio doors or floor-to-ceiling windows.

The panels can be all the same material for a uniform look, or you can alternate materials, for instance, alternating light-filtering panels with opaque ones for flexible light control. Some systems even allow you to specify the exact stack position, so the panels always align perfectly when open.

These systems truly shine with motorization which allows you to control multiple panels independently for infinite light and privacy combinations.

The Architectural Statements That Scream History

11. Custom Shutters

We’ve seen people often wonder if plantation shutters are worth it.

And we get it, plantation shutters are a significant investment, but they also transform large windows into architectural features that feel like perfect home features. Well-made shutters can last for decades and often increase your home's value.

For large windows, choose wide louvers (3.5 to 4.5 inches) that complement the window's scale. The panels should be sized so each operable section isn't more than about 36 inches wide (wider panels can sag over time). Most large windows require multiple panels that fold accordion-style or slide into pockets.

Consider painted shutters in crisp white or a color that matches your trim for a classic look, or stained wood shutters for warmth and richness. The light control is superb, you can tilt the louvers for privacy while maintaining airflow and some natural light or swing the panels completely open for an unobstructed view. Read more about the benefits here.

12. Cornice Boards or Valances

Sometimes you can frame your windows beautifully rather than cover them completely. A substantial cornice board or soft valance at the top draws attention to the window's proportions while adding color, pattern, or texture to the room.

This works especially well when your windows have beautiful views that you’re reluctant to block, or in formal dining rooms where you want architectural interest. However, make sure the cornice or valance is substantial enough to balance the window's size, as skimpy treatments look unplanned.

You can DIY a cornice board using plywood, batting, and fabric, or work with a local upholsterer for a more polished result. Soft valances require more sewing skill but can be gorgeous with the right fabric and proportions.

Finally, The Specialty Solutions

13. Cafe Curtains or Tiers

For very tall windows where full coverage isn't needed or wanted, cafe curtains covering just the bottom portion can provide privacy while preserving natural light and views. This is more common in kitchens, bathrooms, or any space where you want privacy from street level but don't need full window coverage.

Always remember the proportion; your cafe curtains should cover roughly one-third to one-half of the window height. Any less looks skimpy; any more defeats the purpose of the partial coverage approach.

14. Exterior Shades or Awnings

Sometimes the best way to manage a challenging large window is to tackle it from outside rather than inside. Retractable awnings or exterior roller shades can dramatically reduce heat gain and glare while maintaining your interior views and aesthetics.

You’ll find this particularly valuable if your window(s) face harsh afternoon sun or if you have glass doors leading to patios. The shade benefits both indoor and outdoor comfort, and you maintain clean sight lines from inside.

You’d need a professional to install this for you, but the energy savings can be significant with large expanses of glass. Many systems can be motorized and integrated with weather sensors that automatically retract the awnings in high winds.

Quick Solutions for Special Window Challenges

• Bay Windows: Use a curved curtain rod that follows the bay's shape or treat each window section individually with matching Roman shades or panels. Remember to maintain consistent proportions across all sections. We talk more on window treatments for bay windows here.
• Arched Windows: Never cover those beautiful archs! Instead, install your treatment at the spring line (where the arch begins) and let the arch remain as an architectural detail. Custom arched shutters are gorgeous if your budget allows for those.
• French Doors: Look for treatments that stack completely clear of the door swing, or consider individual treatments on each door using magnetic curtain rods. Bottom-up cellular shades also work well here.
• Corner Windows: These need special consideration for the corner where two windows meet. Extend one treatment slightly around the corner, or use corner connectors designed for curtain rods.

Use This Framework to Make Your Decision

When the options all look attractive to you, narrow them down by asking yourself these questions.

• What's your primary need? Privacy, light control, energy efficiency, or pure aesthetics? Your main priority should drive your choice.
• What's your realistic budget? Include not just the treatment cost but installation, hardware, and any professional help you might need.
• How often will you operate the treatment? If you'll be opening and closing daily, prioritize smooth operation. If it's mostly for looks, focus on aesthetics.
• What's your skill level? Be honest about your DIY abilities. A perfectly installed simple treatment beats a poorly installed complex one every single time.
• How long do you plan to stay? If this is your forever home, invest in quality. If you're likely to move, focus on treatments that could work elsewhere too.

Installation: Professional vs DIY?

• Professional installation makes sense for heavy treatments, motorized systems, and anything requiring electrical work. Budget $100 - 500 for professional installation, it's worth it for expensive treatments.
• DIY installation works great for lightweight panels, simple rods, and most standard shade systems. YouTube is your friend, but don't attempt anything beyond your skill level on expensive materials, else you’ll feel the sting.

The importance of good hardware cannot be overstated. Cheap curtain rods will sag, flimsy brackets will pull out of the wall, and inadequate supports will ruin the look of even beautiful fabric. Invest in quality hardware, everything else depends on it.

Enjoyed this read? Check out these window ideas for living rooms.