Dressing windows that open inwards without blocking the swing

Windows that open into the room need curtains or blinds that stay out of the way when the sash swings inward. The solution sits in how far the treatment projects from the wall and where its working parts sit. Below are four approaches that let the window open fully, with fabric or slats that pull clear or never interfere in the first place. Fleur and Grey walks through each one so you can pick the right fit for your room.

Mounting curtains beyond the window reveal

Fix the pole or track far enough above and to the sides of the frame so the curtains hang outside the window's opening arc. When the window swings inward, it clears the fabric completely.

Measure the full swing of the open sash — from its closed position to where the handle stops it — and add that distance to each side of the reveal. Mount the pole at least that far out. The curtains stack on the wall, not over any part of the opening window. Heavier fabrics need more stacking space; allow one and a half to two times the width of the window for the gathered curtains to sit comfortably when drawn back.

Keeping the look balanced

Wide poles can dwarf a small window. Balance the width by raising the pole closer to the ceiling, which lengthens the drop and makes the frame look taller. Hanging the curtains high also brings in more light when they are open, because the stacked fabric sits above the glass rather than beside it.

Choosing roller or Roman blinds fixed inside the reveal

A blind mounted inside the recess sits flat against the glass or frame. The window can swing past it because the fabric rolls or folds upward, leaving the opening path clear. Roller blinds and Romans work; Venetians and vertical blinds do not, because their slats or vanes project into the room even when open.

Fit the blind as close to the glass as the brackets allow. Measure the exact width and height of the recess, then order the blind a few millimetres narrower so it drops and rolls without catching the sides. Check that the control chain or cord hangs on the side opposite the window's handle, so neither tangles when the window is open.

Layering with curtains

A roller blind inside the reveal handles privacy and light control; curtains on a pole outside the reveal add softness and insulation. The two never meet when the window is in use. Draw the blind up, pull the curtains back, and the window swings freely between them. More on layering these two in how blinds and curtains work together.

Using café curtains or sill-length panels

Short curtains that hang from the mid-point of the window down, or stop at the sill, leave the top half or top two-thirds of the opening clear. The window can tilt inward from the top without touching fabric. This works for tilt-and-turn windows used in tilt mode, and for any casement window whose handle sits low.

Fit a tension rod or a slim café rod halfway down the window frame. The curtains cover the lower glass and provide privacy from outside without blocking ventilation at the top. Keep the fabric lightweight so it moves easily when brushed by the opening sash; linen, cotton voile and unlined muslin all work.

Installing shutters with a fold-back or sliding track

Shutters that fold back against the wall or slide along a track leave the entire window free when open. Solid shutters give better insulation and blackout than fabric, and their rigid panels do not flap or catch when the window swings.

Full-height shutters need deep reveals or wall space either side to stack neatly. Bi-fold shutters open in a concertina and take up less room than hinged pairs. Café-style shutters cover only the bottom half of the window, which lets the top casement open without obstruction. All hinges and tracks must sit outside the arc of the opening window; check the clearance before ordering.

Comparing your options

Measuring before ordering

Open the window fully and mark where the farthest edge of the sash reaches into the room. Any curtain pole, track or shutter must sit outside that mark. Measure from the centre of the closed window to that point; double it and add the result to the width of the frame to find the minimum pole length.

For blinds fitted inside, measure the width and height of the recess in three places and use the smallest figure for each. A blind cut to the largest measurement will jam. Write the measurements down and keep them with the order confirmation so you can check the delivered blind before fitting it.

Dealing with handles and trickle vents

Handles that project into the room can snag fabric when the window closes. Mount curtain poles and tracks far enough from the wall that the handle turns without catching the curtain as it hangs. Use deeper brackets or add spacers behind the pole to gain clearance.

Trickle vents at the top of the frame need air flow to work. Curtains that sit tight against the frame can block them. Leave a gap between the heading and the ceiling, or choose a blind that stops below the vent. Shutters with a louvred top tier let air through even when closed.

Fitting in a rental

Tension rods inside the window frame need no drilling and leave no marks. Use them for café curtains or lightweight voile panels that provide daytime privacy without blocking the window's movement. Adhesive hooks rated for the weight of the fabric can hold a slim pole or wire across the lower half of the window.

For heavier curtains, ask the landlord if you can install a pole and offer to fill the holes when you leave. Some will agree if the fixings are in the right place and the work is neat. More ideas for non-permanent changes in making a rental feel like home.

Choosing where to spend

Ready-made curtains and blinds cost less than made-to-measure, but inward-opening windows with awkward dimensions may need custom sizes to avoid gaps or snags. Spend on accurate measuring and a blind that fits the recess exactly; save on curtain fabric by choosing a simple unlined cotton that you can shorten and hem yourself.

Poles and tracks vary widely in price. A basic extendable pole does the job if the brackets are sturdy and the rings slide smoothly. Shutters are the most expensive option and usually need professional measuring and fitting, but they last decades and add insulation that pays back over time.

Steps to dress your inward-opening window

1. Open the window fully and measure how far the sash projects into the room at its widest point.
2. Decide whether the treatment will sit inside the reveal or outside it, based on the clearance the open window needs.
3. Measure the width and height of the window or reveal in three places and note the smallest figures.
4. Choose between curtains, blinds, café panels or shutters, depending on the room's needs for privacy, insulation and style.
5. Install brackets, poles or fittings outside the swing path of the window, checking clearance for handles and vents.
6. Hang or fit the treatment and test that the window opens and closes fully without catching fabric or slats.

Start with one window this weekend

Dressing an inward-opening window takes a couple of hours once the measuring is done. Pick the window that bothers you most and commit to one solution from the list above.

• Measure the open window's swing path and mark where the curtain pole or blind must sit to clear it.
• Order a roller blind cut to the recess size, or buy an extendable pole and a pair of ready-made curtains that reach the floor.
• Fit the brackets and hang the treatment, then open and close the window several times to check nothing catches.
• Adjust the position or add spacers if the handle or frame touches the fabric when the window moves.

#Bay windows #Rental #Small rooms #Budget decorating

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