Please help with curtains for a recessed window with not much space at top

[flier]

The curtains in my daughters bedroom are a mess. I was looking for some suggestions as to what we could put in instead. Its a bay window and at the moment we can just about fit a curtain track to go all the way round, but it lets alot of light in, even with blackout lining.

Just wondered if anyone else had a similiar problem and how they overcame it, or if anyone had any ideas. I've been thinking about roman blinds (can they be fitted for a bay window?) or even window shutters.

If the problem is that you're having difficulty getting the curtain track to fit the window, why not try venetian blinds? You would have to get 1 wide one for the front and 2 narrower ones for the sides. Where you get them depends on your budget. You could get bespoke ones - easy, should solve the problem, but not cheap - or go to a DIY shop (you might have to research more than one to get the best value for money/fit) and get the best fit you can, perhaps trimming a couple of inches off the ends if necessary.

It's always worth having a look in charity shops - they might have exactly the right curtains, you never know. Or they just might have some blinds you could try!

Shutters would look weird with a bay window.

I nearly always fit the baton for roman blinds flush to the top of the lintel (underside). I've got a two sided bay (square) and have fitted one long and one short roman blinds to them, when we first put them up it felt like we were shuttered in when they were let down, got used to them now.

I tried all sorts to block out light, didn't make any difference to sleep, now my two (3 and 5) just have regular curtains with blackout linings attached, sleep fine, they're used to tents though too.

thanks ladies, this has given me something to think about

Hi, you dont say where the light is getting in with the curtains. Most often its the outer sides at the very ends of the track. If this is the case you just need to move the ends of your curtains and hook it onto a n eyelet that you put into the wall behind the end of the track.

If you have pinch pleat curtains you can insert the hooks to raise the tops right up thereby blocking out the light at the top.

Also pinch pleats enable curtains to be drawn right back when open, letting in more light during the day.

You can have roman blinds for a 3 or 5 sided bay (top fixed to the ceiling)but they would have to be made especially for that window and could be expensive.

Hi Size6feet, light gets in at the top and at the sides. We have actually in the past taped the curtains (masking tape) at the edges but its such a nuisance that we stopped opening the curtains every morning.

Hi Flier, I can see that its quite a problem but it is surmountable. Its hard to explain verbally when its a visual thing. Perhaps you could contact a local curtainmaker (from your local paper or marketplace). The older ones may have more experience in these matters and most are happy to advise.

You can get track that gets set into the ceiling. Or do a ceiling hung curtain rail with valence (fancy name for boxing in) around it.

thanks all. Think I'll have to contact a curtain or blind maker.

I love this company's stuff.

thanks SofiaAmes, there are some lovely bits there

I used their custom bay window rods for my ds's window when we lived in the uk. But as an architect I was able to get a trade discount which makes a HUGE difference.