How to Cover Windows Above a Radiator

If you live in a home with radiators, you know how tricky it can be to choose window treatments with those big, blocky structures in the way — especially if you have your heart set on curtains. From working with layers to the dos and don’ts of short curtains, these pointers will help you navigate your options.

Stationary curtain panels + wood blinds. With a large radiator cover in the way, hanging regular floor-length curtains that can close is simply not possible. One way around this is to hang the floor-length curtains you want but use stationary panels (meaning they do not close). A second window treatment, like the wood blinds shown here, will let you adjust the levels of sunlight and privacy.


Cellular shades + ceiling track curtains. Cellular shades, particularly those that can be lowered from the top down, are a great option for adjusting light levels without sacrificing privacy. Instead of using traditional curtain rods, consider curtains on a ceiling-mounted track system. In the right space, this can be a clever way to include curtains that fully close, even with a large radiator in the way.


Floor-length curtains + roller shades. In the bedroom, where privacy and complete darkness at night are more important than adjusting sun levels during the day, try roller shades with blackout liners and layer a set of floor-length curtains on top.

Tip: Hang curtains on extended rod brackets. Floor-length curtains hung in front of a smaller radiator may be able to close with the help of extended brackets that hold the curtains away from the wall.


Woven shades + floor-length curtains. This combination is good when you want a more finished look, like in a formal dining room. It really doesn’t matter if you can’t close the curtains — this look is all about the contrast between textured shades and lush drapery.


Short curtains. Short curtains are a style choice that can be quite divisive — most people find they either like windowsill-length curtains or can’t stand them. As a general rule, more casual spaces, like a child’s room or a den, take better to short curtains.

If your heart is set on doing short curtains in the living room, try to avoid heavy fabrics and intense colors, which would call attention to the hovering curtains. Instead, you could do rumpled white linen curtains, hemmed to break on top of the radiator covers, for a very casual look.


Shutters. Wood shutters don’t have to look old-fashioned; in crisp white, they are classic — and practical, too. Open just the top shutters to let in light while preserving privacy, or open them all. Shutters work best on their own, so if you want to add curtains too, it’s better to go with wood blinds.



Roman blinds. Roman blinds are a classic choice that always works. But they are especially smart in the bath and bedroom, where you need the most privacy, and in the kitchen, where curtains would get in the way of cooking. Roman blinds also work well layered with floor-length drapes for an elegant look.



Mixing window treatments in the same room. If you have radiators under just some windows in your room, one option is to treat the windows differently. Take this space, for example: Roller shades are used on the windows with radiators, while drapers are used for the glass doors. When mixing window treatments, make sure the colors and patterns coordinate — when in doubt, keep things simple with white and solid neutrals.

Tell us: Do you have radiators beneath windows in your home? How do you deal with them? Share a photo of your window in the Comments.

More:
How to Get Your Window Treatment Right
How to Choose the Right Window Treatment

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