With all of the windows that a sunroom boasts, you have many drapery decisions to make when you are remodeling. However, curtains in a sunroom can easily feel overpowering, since they need to cover so much space, and if you follow traditional drapery advice, you may end up covering or minimizing some of the great features of your sunroom. Carefully selected curtains can accentuate the space and turn it into your favorite room in your house. If you have a sunroom you are remodeling, you need to keep the following considerations in mind.
Cutting a Window
Usually, drapery treatments that cut a window horizontally are reserved for kitchens and dining areas and mostly placed on smaller windows. A sunroom tends to boast floor to ceiling windows and may have skylights as well. This means that if you do not want to visually cut your window, you will have very few choices of where to hang your curtains. In many sunrooms, your choice may be limited to ceiling to floor drapes.
However, in a sunroom, the large amount of window space means that cutting your windows horizontally does not make your room look shorter. In fact, a sheer curtain hung about a quarter of the way down a window can lengthen the appearance of your room. It also allows for privacy while not blocking all of the light coming into your room.
You should feel free to break the rules about cutting a window. Experiment with various heights for your curtains before you make a final decision.
Rods, Rails, or Wire
If you decide to go with wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-floor curtains, then moving them can be difficult. This is especially true if you opt for lined curtains as opposed to a lightweight, sheer material. You may want the extra assistance provided by a railed system as opposed to rods. Rods can also ruin the lines of your sunroom if you are trying to achieve a cleaner, more modern look.
If you will not be moving your drapes often, you might consider wires. This can provide a clean, floating look for your drapes that can go well with the reflecting glass surfaces in a sunroom.
Filtering vs. Blocking
Most rooms with large windows require lined curtains to block out the sun and provide privacy. However, sunrooms are specifically designed to be a pseudo-outdoor space. For this reason, you can opt for sheer, filtering curtains as opposed to lined curtains. Even if you decide that you want thicker curtains, you should also install a set of filtering curtains. This can help control the temperature on hot days or prevent glare when the sun is shining directly into the room.
Accents vs. Full Treatment
If you do not require privacy in your sunroom, you might want to limit your drapery treatment to a few accents. A sweeping scarf valance can soften the often harsh geometric feel of many sunrooms. Alternatively, a flat valance placed two-thirds of the way up your window can look edgy and quirky.
Lifting or Sliding
You will also need to consider what action your curtains will have. Most curtains are sliding curtains, moved to one side or both sides of the window when the curtains are open. However, you may want to consider rolling your curtains up or installing a pull cord to lift them instead. This can make your curtains give the same sweeping valance look when they are open, but also make them easy to close and provide comfort and privacy.
When you are decorating your sunroom, you should not be afraid to break some of the basic drapery rules. You may need to try a few styles until you find the look and feel that best complements your space.
For more tips and options, talk with drapery companies and visit websites like http://www.sylvansdrapesandblinds.com.
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