Anatomy of Bathroom Windows

Whenever I’m working on a design project that involves a bathroom, one of the first questions the home owners have is always about what type of window treatment is best on the windows.  The answer to this just is not always clear-cut, but there are some looks that I prefer over others and definitely some design considerations you have to keep in mind when it come the window décor in the bathroom.

The first and foremost question is what type of privacy do you need?  Naturally if you live in the country and are surrounded by open fields you can probably get away with a little less coverage than someone living in the city.

Next, think about the style of your bathroom.  Not every bathroom will look good with fabric window treatments and others may not be suited for blinds or shutters.  The style of your space will definitely impact your window treatment choice.

Third, think about use!  Do you have to open/close them daily?  Can you access the windows easily?  In our first house in Seattle, I hung curtain panels on the window over the soaking tub.  Every day when I had to open and close the panels I had to step into the large tub to reach them.  In hindsight, blinds or shutters would have been a more functional option for me.

Keeping these three things in mind, here are some images of bathroom window treatments that work and why!

The roman shades in this bathroom are fabulous. As designers always recommend, they are hung up high, making the space feel grander and the top valance detail adds the visual weight to balance them against the large tub.  Because the windows can be easily accessed opening and closing these would not be a problem.

(image this space with wood plantation shutters–too heavy and bulky for these large windows.  They would dominate the look of this bathroom)

For this small window I love that the lower half of the window was frosted to provide privacy while the upper half was left clear to let light stream in.  The simple roman shade (hung inside the window frame) adds just the right amount of detail and design this space needs.

(curtain panels in this space would be overwhelming and blinds would be to lack-luster)

Here’s an example of curtain panels hung over a soaking tub.  What I like about this is that the panels are the same color as the tile, so they visually just float away.  They are also lightweight which would make opening and closing easy.

( patterned curtain panels and shutters would have been too much for this space and would have fought with the tile pattern)

In this space I think the floor to ceiling curtain panels work.  the pattern draws your eye to the window and serves as a nice frame to the window.  The sides of the tub can be accessed, again making opening and closing these curtain easy.

( shutters would have made the window feel even more like a big box and would not have added any softness to the space)

The top and bottom curtain treatment in this bathroom works perfectly for the style of the space.  The flooring and the window treatments both have somewhat of a causal, country vibe.  Light can easily flow in through the expose windows while the lover panels provide privacy.

(because of the corner windows, this option was really smart.  Shutters or blind would have felt to heavy and lopsided)

Shutters on the lower half of a bathroom window can be a great option in a sleek and classic bathroom.  The shutters provide privacy and provide visual balance with the wall cabinet and adjacent.

(curtain panels on this off-set window would have drawn attention to that face and would have made the window appear smaller)

Frosted bathroom windows are often the choice many builders but into a new home.  I like the simple diamond pattern on this window which helps to keep the space feel modern.  The swagged valance add softness and frames the window perfectly.

(curtain panels could have worked in this bathroom although they would have given the entire tub area a more boxed in feel)

This is probably my favorite bathroom window treatment option, Top-Down, Bottom-Up shades.  These window treatments allow you to raise and lower the panel as you wish to expose or close off as much of the window as you want. The look is clean and simple which is ideal in many of todays bathroom styles.

If you’ve looked at your bathroom windows and are wondering what the best approach is, I hope this helps point you in the right direction.

Happy Decorating!