Curtain hell

I know this is not directly about the general subject here and that most of you aren't interior designers but I'm asking for help because even though I've thought about this for months, I can't get it to look better. And I'm reaching the point of giving up and not even bothering with this apartment.

So, this room has f-d up windows and the fact is made worse thanks to the low and clumsy-looking curtain rail above the windows.

If I hang my curtains off of the existing rail, they'll look really short and make the ceilings appear super low and that is something I don't want. The rail can't be taken out and I can't add any other hanging mechanism to the ceiling (on "this" side of the existing curtain rail) because it would be too far away from the windows and take up space.

I previously tried some sort of a pathetic curtains hung off of the top front of the curtain rail board -solution but it didn't look too good.
I hate the way the windows look and want to cover them completely (the view is crowded and afternoon sun shines here in an uncomfortable angle)

The middle section between the windows is a problem on its own. I'm not sure what would look good there, as you can see, currently there are a few plates up there.

I have a pair of off-white long thicker linen curtains and another pair of translucent ones. I hate the white curtain look because I don't think it's deep and cosy enough.
I don't want to put any money towards curtains now so I've got to come up with something using the ones I have. Maybe dye them.

Any suggestions and wonderful-looking curtain ideas that I could actually pull off are welcome. The only requirements are that the curtains go from floor to ceiling (or not...) and cover the windows (and ugly shutters) and look neat and tidy.

Help!

Here's the monstrosity currently almost empty of anything:

 

It looks like there is a cornice board already in place over the window. Attach the curtain rod on the wall behind the cornice board. You "might" want to have a (short) valence over the top of the drapes/curtains coming down a bit from the cornice board to a little below the top molding of the window.

Hang your curtains/drapes (and valence(s)) from the rod under the cornice board. It will elongate the look of the windows, even if your curtains/drapes come only a little past the lower edge of the window moldings.

P.S., what is that "vented" looking piece under the windows? Is that part of the heating/cooling system?

I'm sure others will probably be along to give you more/better advice. So please just "think about" what I have suggested until others give their (perhaps professional) opinions.

 

I'm not exactly sure what your suggestion would look like, but I'll try to visualize it.


Meanwhile, earlier I was kind of thinking something along these lines myself, a clumsy image edit to demonstrate:



The problem is, I would like the curtains to be hung off the ceiling (unlike in the picture), not lower (as in the picture). How will I attach them there? Sighhhhh.

 

If it were me... I'd go to WORLD MARKET with my Sunday insert coupon, buy 2 Cebu screens (photograph attached), and span them across the entire (what appears to be an) alcove. The wood is warm in feeling and the weave will allow diffused light to enter the room as well as heat from the radiator and give you privacy (if you need it.) No damage to your rental and you can pack them up and take them with you when you move on. I also suggest you take down the plates; you're only accentuating a negative.

Sorry, but you asked!

Debora

 

Could you attach upwards extending supports to the existing curtain rod, and then attach a new curtain rod to the top of those supports?

 

You can hang rods off the ceiling as well as a wall.
On the wall the mountings are more in shear than pull out so the anchors would be different.
Depending upon overall weight Mollys may work but you will probably have to use wings but they make alarms hole and little wimpy assed ones won't have enough strength because of the actual thread count in the attached skinny little nut.
You may have to find a special center rod support or just get clever with the standard one and use heavy thread or small wire to retain the rod in it.

 

I never thought about it like that. Yeah, it's true.

I love this idea! I don't know if I'm going to be able to find the right kind and size wood screens, but I'll have to look into it.

This crossed my mind too.

There are hooks two inches from the ceiling on both sides (on the side walls) above the windows, but I don't know if there are curtain rods that long available.

 

You can make them from 'closet rod' (thick dowels) or EMT. Round tubing for electric wire.

 

How?

 

Do you mean how to cut and fit them or where to get them?

 

EDIT: I missed a point. I thought you meant the screens..

Curtain rods.. of course.

It's very late at night..

 

I like the screen idea. It wouldn't be difficult to make a folding open frame and attach drapery folded material to it to let some light in.

 

No. For ceiling mounted curtains.

 

Yeah. No thanks. I struggle even getting a screw or a nail into a piece of wood. At first I start with a screwdriver (or something resembling one) and after several failed attempts and meltdowns I carve a split into the wood with scissors and screw the screw in it and repeat until it finally stays there without wobbling and falling out. Sometimes I even put glue in there.

So, I wouldn't dare to construct anything.

 

Yipes!!!!
You need a handy...man...

 

I'm not bad at all handy things though. Painting, making plaster ornaments and basically anything that doesn't require big muscles, I can do. At least that's what I tell myself.

 

Ha!!!
This really isn't all that hard and I'd be happy to walk you through it.

 

I'll have to dye my existing curtains green first and if they turn out well, I might go with the curtain option and think about the ceiling mounting or such.
If the fabric dye doesn't perform up to standard then it might be more affordable to buy wooden screens or something to cover up the windows.

I'll report back in this thread once the project has one day reached that point.

 

Id treat it as one big window , pity you cant lose the cornice board . It eats that wall visually !

 

Ok. If you need my help message me.