Give Your Oval Door More Panache with Window Curtains
Oval door windows can be awkward architectural elements, but with the right window treatments they become charming and unique focal points. The key is finding curtains that balance form, function, and flair. Read on as we explore the best options for giving your oval entry fabulous new panache.
Fabrics and Materials
When selecting fabrics, consider the room's purpose. For formal spaces and bedrooms, luxurious fabrics like linen, velvet, damask, or embroidered silk exude refinement. Lightweight cottons and breezy sheers keep casual rooms airy. Blackout fabrics prevent light leakage for media rooms or nurseries.
Alternative shade materials like bamboo filters sunlight beautifully. Roman shades fold into a slim stacked form when open. For sound dampening, velvet and thick woven textiles work well.
Customization and Opacity
Mix sheer, light-filtering, and blackout window panels for customized daytime privacy and nighttime darkness. Double rod sets enable layering. Or bisect the window horizontally, pairing a opaque lower half with a sheer upper section.
Consider adding decorative metallic grommets, textured fabrics like seersucker or chintz, or trim accents. Such embellishments lend panache while framing the unique shape.
Measurement and Installation
Precisely measure each dimension of the oval using a fabric measuring tape. Note the window's exact height in the center and at edges, along with width at top, bottom, and midpoint. This ensures proper fabrication for off-the-rack panels or custom treatments.
Mount tension curtain rods snugly inside the frame to avoid gaping side spaces. For wide windows, center support brackets prevent sagging. Or install discreet hooks along the framework peripheries to attach TAB top curtains. This captures their full draping potential.
Professional Help
Consider hiring an experienced window treatment specialist for installations requiring screws or permanent alterations. They have the equipment and expertise for precision mounting. DIY kits are simpler for rental spaces where non-damaging options like peel-and-stick hooks are preferred.
Custom-Made Curtains
Custom treatments designed for the exact window dimensions deliver a flawless look. Consult designers to select the perfect fabrics and styles to match your vision, then have them measure and sew bespoke curtains.
Expect an 8-12 week wait for fabrication and shipping. But the end result - an impeccably tailored treatment matching your decor just so - makes the investment worthwhile.
Automation Convenience
Take convenience one step further with motorized curtain systems. Programmable timers easily control privacy and light levels. Integration hubs enable voice or app control for on-demand adjustments.
Motorized traverse systems draw curtains smoothly open and closed along a rod track. Or opt for shades that lift and lower at the touch of a button - no cords required.
Style and Functional Options
Choose rod pocket panels for casual elegance and easy movement along a straight runway. Pinch pleat and back tab headings provide fuller gathering. Grommets lend a modern look while enabling smooth gliding.
For rooms needing total darkness, specialized blackout curtains block exterior light. Audio recording spaces benefit from sound-dampening panels made with noise-reducing materials. For additional insulation, thermal linings regulate temperature.
Layering and Embellishing Treatments
Create dimension by mounting double curtain rods for upper and lower layers. Drawing back one panel reveals the other. Combine sheer and opaque fabrics for tailored luminosity control.
Introduce character through embellished trims and textures. Contrast shiny satin with light-diffusing sheers; give prominence to an oval focal point. Such creative touches personalized to the room give unexpected refinement.
Dust often using a vacuum upholstery brush, then spot treat stains. Send lined treatments out for dry cleaning annually to revitalize. For sheers and light-colored fabrics, hand wash gently in cool water using mild detergent before reshaping on a drying rack.
Assess fittings occasionally for signs of loose screws, sagging rods, or fraying edges at hemlines. Address issues promptly to maintain an elegant oval focal point. With periodic refreshing, fabulous window treatments enhance the uniqueness of oval doorways for years.