One Room, Many Windows? Pro Tips for Choosing Window Treatments

While having “too many” windows may sound like a good problem to have (hello, vitamin D), treating multiple windows in one space is often a task best left to the professionals. With so many variables involved, it’s hard to know what treatments will look good together until the installation is complete (aka once it’s too late). Luckily, Los Angeles-based interior designer Taylor Jacobson shared with us some insightful rays of wisdom on how to do it right the first time, so you can treat your windows with confidence.

Consistency is key in good interior design, and mixing and matching different styles of drapery in one room shouldn’t be done without good reason. “Generally, if all the windows are the same size,” Jacobson advises, “I would recommend the same style window treatment throughout.”

She goes on to state that, “There are exceptions, however. I’m designing a bedroom right now in which all the windows are the same size, but one window is perfectly centered over the area where the bed will go. I wanted to highlight that area, so I’m doing a set of drapes there which will go behind the bed, and all other windows are getting roman shades—the material however, will be consistent throughout.”

It’s no secret that having a definitive color palette is essential for tying a room together. Window treatments are no exception. “When using different window treatments throughout a home,” Jacobson says, “I like to be mindful of the overall color palette—just like I would be with the furniture, rugs, paint and other textiles. I always try to pick a color or theme that is consistent throughout the space so there is a feeling of cohesion.”

On the subject of using different drapery fabrics, she adds, “I think as long as the palette is cohesive with the other design elements in the home, it’s fine to use different fabrics.”

If you want to add depth and character by mixing up your window treatments, try using two different styles of window treatments together (i.e. roman shades or blinds combined with drapes). She gushes, “I love the look of wood matchstick blinds mixed with a drapery overlay. This provides a layered look to a room and gives you added control of the light and privacy—you can have the blinds down with the drapes open to emit some light but keep privacy, or you can have the blinds down and drapes closed to really darken the room. If you have a space with a great disparity in the window size, then it’s fine to do one style treatment on the smaller windows and another on the large windows.”

If you decide to mix-and-match window treatments, an easy way to make sure everything looks good together is to keep the fabric texture and weight similar across the board. For instance, should you want to do different patterns, colors or even styles (romans, panels, etc.), the key is to pick one fabric type (say…linen or cotton) to keep the look consistent.

Curtains can take up a lot of visual space, which means if you opt for dressing your windows in bold or colorful garb, they will almost definitely become the focus of the room. Adds Taylor: “A no-fail tactic for window treatments is to keep them completely neutral. For example, dress all of the windows in a white linen—whether shades or drapes—to soften the windows and provide privacy, but the attention will be on the furniture and other design elements in the rooms, and you won’t have to stress about playing curtain match maker.”

Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us, Taylor! Readers, see more of Taylor Jacobson’s work on her website.