Curved & Arched Window Treatment Ideas: Top Tips to Nail Flair & Function

Graceful, sculptural, and quietly dramatic, arched windows are those architectural showstoppers that we love to show off—and yet, some need covering! To screen the interiors from bustling streets, to tame the noon light, and if nothing else, then for a touch of splendor so well-deserved by this centrepiece. But the question stands tall: how to decorate a window that is already so decorative? The trick lies in choosing treatments that flatter the curve rather than fight it, striking the sweet spot between function and finesse. In this blog, we share our top favorite arched window treatment ideas that enhance their magic, not diminish it.

Drapery: The Classic Way to Celebrate an Arch

Custom curtains are among the most elegant treatments ever to grace an arched window. Both share the same design language of organic silhouettes, bespoke grandeur, and dramatic scale. Whether used as standalone treatments or paired with blinds, drapery always reads effortlessly stunning. Here are some of our favorite arched window drapery ideas:

Decorative Framing Panels that Highlight the Curve

Install short drapery poles on either side of the arch, and hang narrow curtain panels on them. These stationary curtains frame the arch, offering a decorative accent without providing coverage. This way of draping an arched window is ideal for grand, dressed-up living rooms where privacy and light control are not required. However, if you are looking for privacy, pair the curtains with inside-mounted shades or blinds at the base of the arch.

Floor-to-Ceiling Curtains for a Touch of Drama

In this look, curtains span the entire wall from floor to ceiling, revealing the arch as a delightful surprise when drawn open. For this, install the drapery pole as close to the ceiling as possible. Since this requires sufficient space above the window to install a straight pole, this idea will not work for an arched window, located just below a sloped ceiling.

HOMESEWN HANDBOOK: Ceiling-to-Floor Long Curtains: Tips & Ideas for Long Drapes

Drapes Hung Just Below the Arch

Here, a straight drapery pole is installed just below the arch, which is either left exposed or covered with a sunburst window shade. This approach is ideal for rooms with a pitched ceiling or where you want the arch to shine as a centerpiece at all times. It is especially recommended for windows with a brief gap between the arch and the rectangular portion, so the curtains can distract attention from that seeming sense of discontinuity.

Couture Finish with Arched Hardware

A rare and highly tailored option, this style calls for custom-engineered hardware. The pole or track is shaped to trace the curve with precision - affixed inside the window frame, or just outside it. A pair of curtains is then hung, curved at the top and overlapping at the centre, bringing a kind of elegance that reads luxurious and personalized. However, as is true of any haute couture approach, curved poles and tracks are fairly pricier than straight poles, but worth every bit.

Roman Shades: Tailored & Timelessly Elegant

Custom roman shades deliver the same luxurious notes as drapery, but in smaller, more measured doses. They merge the easy functionality of blinds with the bespoke appeal of drapery, steering clear of the plasticky look of industrially fabricated blinds that can cheapen a statement window. So, if you’re looking for something modern and streamlined, yet sumptuous and timeless, go for roman shades. They are especially ideal for counterheight windows, childproofed interiors, and small rooms that can’t spare floor space for drapes.

Shades Mounted at the Base of the Arch

Here, roman shades cover the lower rectangular portion of the window and leave the arched portion exposed. Depending on the level of light control sought, they can be styled from sheer or non-sheer fabrics. Opting for the inside-mounting position - where the shade is affixed within the frame with a highly tailored, seamless finish - is advisable to flaunt the window’s distinctive profile. 

Roman Shades Layered with Drapes

Roman shades shine as solo performers, and they do even better in a duet. Their long-standing chemistry with curtains can be capitalized on for arched windows. Here, shades are mounted at the base of the arch, and drapes are hung from above the arch. This juxtaposition of tailored lines and flowy silhouettes adds more depth to the design, bringing the statement window an equally compelling flourish. The curtains can be used as decorative framing panels or be designed to offer full coverage, depending on the functional needs of the room.

HOMESEWN HANDBOOK: How to Layer Curtains with Roman Shades

Faux Roman Shades for Pure Decorative Flair

Where aesthetics is calling, not function, roman shades can take on their purely decorative avatar. Faux roman shades offer the same tailored beauty and crisp folds as fully operational shades, but they don’t provide any coverage. Hung from a drapery pole like a valance, these shades have tightly secured folds that do not unfurl. Although petite, faux shades come with huge design potential. They bring in color, pattern, and a dash of glamor without overwhelming the eye. Alternatively, they can also be paired with drapes to bring a layered beauty without adding too much visual weight.

HAUL 'EM HOME: Faux Roman Shade Valance | Faux Relaxed Roman Shade Valance

Shop Curtains & Roman Shades for Arched & Curved Windows at Sewn

Arched and curved windows are natural scene-stealers. The right dressing enhances that exquisite beauty, instead of competing with it. Whether you choose the theatrics of drapery, the crisp sophistication of roman shades, or a thoughtful pairing of both, the goal remains the same -  to celebrate the curve. And at Sewn, you can turn it into a festive occasion with the shimmer of silk or the glamor of velvet, or keep it steeped in casual comfort with the homespun beauty of cotton or linen - either way, you’ll face no dearth of choice at our 2000+ strong catalog of fabrics and an impressive array of customization options. So, explore our aisle and shop your own arched window stunner today.