30 Stylish Ways To Layer Window Treatments

stylish ways to layer window treatments

Most spaces feature some window treatments as dressing up a window adds to the style of the room and makes it cozy and inviting. What about layering window treatments? Layered window treatments create a special look that goes one step further in adding depth and dimension to a space, and they also add some optionality for how you can control the light in your room.

What’s The function Of Your Window Treatments?

Starting by answering this question will help you figure out what direction to go. Do you need a seriously blacked-out bedroom to sleep? Will the layered window treatments be purely for a beautiful and chic look of the room, so you have some flexibility in what you choose? Is privacy a concern during the day, but you still want natural light? Decide on all these points before you go further.

a beautiful and airy contemporary living room with white shades and semi sheer draperies to achieve privacy and block sunlight when needed

a beautiful and airy contemporary living room with white shades and semi sheer draperies to achieve privacy and block sunlight when needed

a large woven shade and creamy draperies add coziness and interest to the bedroom, and the shade echoes with the rattan chair

a large woven shade and creamy draperies add coziness and interest to the bedroom, and the shade echoes with the rattan chair

a lovely and airy neutral bedroom with neutral fabric shades and matching draperies that perfectly match the colors and style of the space

a lovely and airy neutral bedroom with neutral fabric shades and matching draperies that perfectly match the colors and style of the space

a neutral white shades and grey and creamy color block curtains bring a touch of color and much interest to this neutral space

a neutral white shades and grey and creamy color block curtains bring a touch of color and much interest to this neutral space

a neutral nursery with printed shades and creamy draperies that are classic for more of neutral rooms in various styles

a neutral nursery with printed shades and creamy draperies that are classic for more of neutral rooms in various styles

a printed shade and black curtains to block out all the sunshine and make this bedroom as private as possible

a printed shade and black curtains to block out all the sunshine and make this bedroom as private as possible

a refined modern bedroom with a fantastic view, with semi sheer shades and beautiful neutral draperies to enjoy the views or get privacy when needed

a refined modern bedroom with a fantastic view, with semi sheer shades and beautiful neutral draperies to enjoy the views or get privacy when needed

What’s Your ‘Star’?

There are so many ways you can go with layered window treatments, but one hint is to choose a “star” – allow one of the layers to be the focal point and let the other recede into the background. For example, if you decide to do a bold pattern on your drapes, pick something more neutral like plantation shutters to go with them. That way, you’ll have the pretty, layered look, but it’s subtle.

Be sure to consider your window treatment choices in light of how you decorate the rest of the room as well. Continuing with the example of using bold patterned drapes, it’s important to know that making that choice will automatically mean they’re a big focal point. Is that what you want? Or would you rather have a bold rug be the attention-grabber?

Sometimes you may want your window treatments to be a star of your room as a whole, but other times, you’d rather them play more of a supporting role. You can definitely still layer them, but stick with neutrals or a more tone-on-tone combo with your fabrics and materials.

a semi sheer neutral shade plus blush draperies are amazing to soften the space and give it a lovely feminine touch to it

a semi sheer neutral shade plus blush draperies are amazing to soften the space and give it a lovely feminine touch to it

a stylish coastal bedroom done in neutrals, with woven shades and dove grey draperies - together they block out the light and match the color scheme

a stylish coastal bedroom done in neutrals, with woven shades and dove grey draperies - together they block out the light and match the color scheme

a stylish nook with woven shades and creamy draperies that match the rug and the faux fur stool and give more elegance to the room

a stylish nook with woven shades and creamy draperies that match the rug and the faux fur stool and give more elegance to the room

an oversized woven shade and creamy draperies are a pefect idea for this modern farmhouse bedroom and match the colors of the space

an oversized woven shade and creamy draperies are a pefect idea for this modern farmhouse bedroom and match the colors of the space

delicate dove grey fabric shades and creamy curtains are amazing to treat these windows and they perfectly match the color scheme

delicate dove grey fabric shades and creamy curtains are amazing to treat these windows and they perfectly match the color scheme

delicate semi sheer woven shades and white draperies make this window beautifully dressed and chic and add coziness to the room

delicate semi sheer woven shades and white draperies make this window beautifully dressed and chic and add coziness to the room

grey fabric blinds and semi sheer graphite grey draperies add drama to this neutral space and make it stand out

grey fabric blinds and semi sheer graphite grey draperies add drama to this neutral space and make it stand out

if a sleeping space is located by the window, use block out shades and beautiful neutral draperies to achieve darkness for sleeping

if a sleeping space is located by the window, use block out shades and beautiful neutral draperies to achieve darkness for sleeping

neutral fabric blinds and matching draperies block out all the sunlight and give as much privacy as needed and add coziness to the room

neutral fabric blinds and matching draperies block out all the sunlight and give as much privacy as needed and add coziness to the room

Go High/ Low

If you’ve been thinking that you’d love to have this look in your home, but whoa that sounds expensive, think again! It doesn’t have to be. To keep the cost reasonable, use the “high/low” method: choose a budget friendly option for one of the window treatments and go custom for the other. For example, you can find some great ready-made curtain panels and then get custom roman shades. Or, another option is custom curtains with more affordable cellular shades or wood blinds.

neutral fabric shades and grey curtains add chic and elegance to this beautiful creamy space and add a slight touch of color

neutral fabric shades and grey curtains add chic and elegance to this beautiful creamy space and add a slight touch of color

neutral striped shades and off-white draperies with prints are a catchy idea for this neutral space and prints add chic and elegance

neutral striped shades and off-white draperies with prints are a catchy idea for this neutral space and prints add chic and elegance

semi sheer curtains and blush semi sheer draperies for a soft touch of color and elegant window treating

semi sheer curtains and blush semi sheer draperies for a soft touch of color and elegant window treating

semi sheer white curtains add coziness and an airy feel to the room, while white blinds block sunshine and bring privacy

semi sheer white curtains add coziness and an airy feel to the room, while white blinds block sunshine and bring privacy

semi sheer white curtains plus lavender draperies give more privacy and interest to the window adding the color to the space

semi sheer white curtains plus lavender draperies give more privacy and interest to the window adding the color to the space

semi sheer woven shades and pastel blue curtains are a perfect match for a coastal bedroom done in the same pastel blues

semi sheer woven shades and pastel blue curtains are a perfect match for a coastal bedroom done in the same pastel blues

woven shades and classic white semi sheer draperies are a great pair, they are perfect for a modern or modern farmhouse space

woven shades and classic white semi sheer draperies are a great pair, they are perfect for a modern or modern farmhouse space

woven shades and grey draperies treat the windows and add a slight touch of color to the space making it more welcoming

woven shades and grey draperies treat the windows and add a slight touch of color to the space making it more welcoming

woven shades and neutral draperies are a gorgeous combo that brings texture and interest to any space and matches a lot of decor styles

woven shades and neutral draperies are a gorgeous combo that brings texture and interest to any space and matches a lot of decor styles

Hang Them Right

For curtains, hang them high and wide if possible, and make sure they just touch or hang a tad higher than the floor. “High and wide” refers to the curtain rod itself – you want to mount it high above the window and extend it beyond the frame on each side (if the construction allows). These are all tips and tricks to hang layered window treaments, we hope you’ve found out something useful for your home. Take a look ad get inspired by the gorgeous ideas below!

woven shades and neutral draperies match most of decor styles and neutral color palettes and look very nice and chic

woven shades and neutral draperies match most of decor styles and neutral color palettes and look very nice and chic

woven shades and neutral semi sheer draperies look very relaxed and laid-back and add interest to this shabby chic space

woven shades and neutral semi sheer draperies look very relaxed and laid-back and add interest to this shabby chic space

woven shades and printed curtains are a great combo, they bring both texture and print to the space and make the blue walls stand out

woven shades and printed curtains are a great combo, they bring both texture and print to the space and make the blue walls stand out

woven shades and white curtains with black rims are a unique combo for this space, and woven shades echo with the stained desk

woven shades and white curtains with black rims are a unique combo for this space, and woven shades echo with the stained desk

woven shades plus semi sheer grey curtains are a perfect pair for this neutral space, they add interest and chic to the room

woven shades plus semi sheer grey curtains are a perfect pair for this neutral space, they add interest and chic to the room