Home office with Tetbury Charcoal curtains, and Morton Tar, Tetbury Black and Huxley Dove Grey cushions

How to dress wide windows

Trend and Styling Expert

Published: 07/01/2019

Updated: 15/09/2021

with George Clarke

Here architect and TV presenter George Clarke shares a few ideas to help counter the common issues when dressing wide windows.

darcia velvet floor length curtains paired with paloma tan roman blind

1. What are the best curtains for wide windows?

Let’s face it; everyone wants their wide windows to look great. And if that’s your only priority then you’re spoilt for choice in our ranges of blinds, curtains and shutters.

Curtains are a great choice if you’re looking to add style and softness to a space. They’re also perfect for wide windows, because they can be made with plenty of fabric to cover large expanses.

George particularly likes the way curtains change the mood of a room. The soft fabrics change the acoustics, making it feel that little bit more intimate and cosy.

George Clark_Acacia Ice_motorized_Roller blinds_with_Bardot Grey_curtains

2. What are the best blinds for wide windows?

One of the best things about wide windows is all the glorious sunshine they let into a room. Obviously, the sunshine won’t always feel glorious and there are times when you’ll long for a little shade or for total darkness.

For creating shade, you’ll want blinds or curtains in a sheer fabric, which lets light through but in a gentle way. George opted for our Acacia Ice Roller blind, layered with grey curtains with a blackout curtain lining. This lets George pull his curtains together to help block out the sunshine and completely change the atmosphere in his room.

Interior Designer George Clarke sat in a black and brown armchair with a footrest in a living room featuring a yellow sofa, glass coffee table and grey curtains which are matched with white roller blinds that have been fitted to a wide rectangular window in the room

3. Privacy control

Many of us live in built-up areas, where houses overlook each other and passers-by might see something they shouldn’t. Wide windows only exacerbate the problem.

Sheer blinds or curtains offer a solution, with the light fabric creating a veil-like effect. It’s another reason why George chose our Acacia Ice Roller blind.

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George Clarke Tetbury Charcoal Roman blind and Acacia Ice Roller blind

4. Security concerns

If you're going to be away from home, you don't want to worry if your home looks occupied. Shutting your blinds or curtains before you leave is not necessarily the best thing to do, as it will look like there's nobody home in the day.

Fortunately, our electric blinds make it easy to operate your Roller, Roman or Day & Night blinds with our innovative motorised control system. If you pair your blinds with your Somfy smart hub, you can set times for your blinds to open and close.

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5. Regulate temperature

A downside of beautiful wide windows is that you can lose a lot of heat through them in winter. You can reduce this heat loss and save on your expensive heating bills thanks to our innovative ThermaShade^TM Pleated blinds. These incorporate clever honeycomb pockets that trap warm air and stop it escaping through your window.

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