How to Hang Curtains on Arched Windows for a Designer Look

City Light, City Bright

Loosely woven wool drapery panels hang from dark metal rods and rings mounted at the ceiling to promote a sense of greater height.

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Delicately Balanced Beauty

The drapery rod's carved crest draws the eye to gracefully arched windows. A dreamy landscape painting adds color, depth, and the illusion of another window.

Showcasing the Classics

The intricate maze pattern of the valances at the arched windows gently echoes the geometry of the bookshelves, windowpanes, and striped floors.

Putting Soft in the Loft

Sheer panels hung from rods hidden by exposed pipes are a great example of how to hang curtains on an arched window in an industrial loft. Embossed squares on the draperies accent colors in the room.

Shaded View

While this room requires privacy from a neighboring home, the arched window at the top doesn't need to be covered. For maximum light, place curtain rods so none of the upper window is hidden.

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Splendor in the Trees

Instead of curtains, a neat grid of mullions breaks rank to spread out across the top of this oversized arched window. The impression of support is pure illusion, but the mullions do help to scale down the large expanse of glass. This kind of glorious window is best used to frame a worthy landscape view, and left unadorned if possible. Consider having the glass coated with a film to protect indoor textiles from fading.

Split the Difference

Leave an arched window top uncovered whenever possible. The sheers on this French door begin just below the arched panel and call attention to the view outside without obstructing it.

Swagged in Style

Bright blue swags set at the same height on either side of the stove visually unite two different sized and designed kitchen windows. With unification established, the arched window is free to stand tall against the angular side sections.

Designer Decoy

The modern decor of this living room doesn't do justice to the arched window. But the window treatments form a continuous line of fabric around the room. The panel was designed to draw back, away from the window, to reveal the pretty arched frame.

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Cover What's Necessary

When you have an eye-catching design feature like this arched window, it requires restraint. Try to cover only the portion of the window that needs curtains for privacy. This window features a thin black iron rod set at the middle muntin's exact height, leaving the window's upper portion unadorned.

Faux Arch

At first glance, this window looks as though it may be arched, yet it's the ceiling line and placement of the window treatments that create that impression. You might use a similar technique to add interest to a plain rectangular window, giving it a faux arch of fabric.

Follow the Curve

Flexible or curved rods are key to how to hang curtains on an arched window to follow its form. Gravity, however, is not your ally: Standard curtain rings will simply slip to the sides, giving your window the droops. Get rings that lock in place and adjust the drapes from below with tiebacks.

Smart Geometry

The window in this flattened arch has lots of leadwork—a stained-glass window in clear glass—that, combined with the blinds, obscures the view and maximizes privacy. The keystone and detailed molding accent the shape, giving this foreshortened arch as much charm as a full half-round.

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