Dining Room Window Treatment Ideas

The dining room is a space to relax, socialize with family and friends, entertain and, of course, eat. It should be functional as well as welcoming and attractive. The decor of your dining room can create an atmosphere and set a mood. Window treatments are an important element in the overall look and feel of any room, particularly a dining room.

Whether you want a festive atmosphere, a country feel or a formal room, there are window treatments that express your style. Curtains, blinds, shades and shutters can be used as single window treatments or layered to modulate light, control heat and enhance the decorative scheme. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Evaluate the Windows and View

If your dining room has beautiful windows or a view that looks out onto an attractive landscape, use these features as part of the window treatment. Make attractive windows the focal point of a room, and use window treatments to complement them, not overwhelm them. Conversely, if your windows are unattractive, small or look out onto an unpleasant view, window treatments can disguise or minimize the problem.

To enhance a beautiful window, use minimal window coverings, such as valences or swags that frame the window. If you want more coverage with a light feel, try sheers. Be aware that at night they are transparent, making interior visible from the outside. If you want more privacy at night, pair sheers with another window treatment, such as blinds, shutters or full-length curtains.

For a more formal look, hang panels that can be fully opened to accentuate the window and frame. If you the curtains serve as an accent to the decor, pick a shade from an accessory, such as an area rug or wall art. If you want the window dressing to stand out, go for stronger colors, patterns or texture.

Roman shades create a sleek look because there is not much volume to the fabric. You can select colors or patterns that work with the decorative theme and colors in the room. When opened, they add texture. When closed, their low profile blends with the walls.

To make windows look bigger, choose draperies that extend to the floor. Hang them close to the ceiling, and extend the rods past the width of the window. If the view is unpleasant, try patterned or textured sheers that filter light but mask the details of the outside world. The pattern draws the eye to the curtain, not what is beyond it.

Use the Shape of the Window to Advantage

Windows come in all shapes and sizes, including square, rectangular, arched, bays and French doors. Arched windows are often seen as a decorative problem. However, raising the rod so that it sits above the window is a simple solution. Some decorators hang the rod across the window at the point where the arch begins. At this level, light comes in above the drapery and draws attention to the beauty of the arch.

Bay windows create architectural interest. Window treatments for bays can be light and airy, casual or elegant and ornate. Bold colors and patterns draw attention to the windows. If you want a casual look, wooden or bamboo blinds, Roman shades or roller blinds work well, particularly for beach houses and in warm climates. If privacy is not an issue, try hanging the rod across the lower half of the window. The rod, hardware and curtain become part of the window dressing. For a formal look, mount full-length drapes in a heavy, rich fabric with matching cornices over each section of the bay.

If you live in a cold climate, draperies can help keep heat in during the winter. In warm climates, they can keep sunlight and heat out during the hottest times of day.

Colors for Mood

Color contributes to the mood of a dining room. Because the room is for occasional use, it is a place where you can let your imagination go wild. Deep colors, such as reds and oranges, add drama. Red stimulates interaction, passion and appetite. Rich fabrics with texture, such as velvet, heavy silks and damask, add to the effect.

Golds, yellows and some grey tones enhance light, creating a pleasant glow. Yellow curtains give the idea of sunshine, even at night. Gold gives a feeling of richness and elegance. Grey window treatments can balance other colors in the room.

Green is restful, associated with nature, growth and fertility. In the dining room, use tones that are rich and warm. Used as an accent color at windows, it can enliven the room without oversaturating it.

Neutral colors always work well at windows. Beige, white, grey, cream and some browns are classic colors that never go out of style. However, each color comes in different tones and intensities. If you like a minimalist look, go for cool undertones. If your style is romantic, try warm undertones that complement the main palette of the room.

Window treatments can transform a dull dining room into a vibrant, pleasant space that family and guests will enjoy. Deconovo offers an array of curtain styles, including valances, sheers, grommets, rod pockets and thermals, in a range of colors and fabrics. Browse our online catalog, or contact us for more information.