Sash windows are a standout feature in London’s wealth of period properties. An elegant architectural asset, they deserve the very best when it comes to window dressing.
To weigh up your options and help you make an informed decision, we’ve partnered with window dressing specialists, Hillarys. Their made-to-measure curtains, blinds, and shutters are renowned for their quality, with bespoke solutions that can be tailored to complement your sash windows.
Explore each option in closer detail and discover which is right for your sash windows in this guide.
What is Window Dressing?
Dressing your windows involves adding curtains, shutters, or blinds to your recess, along with any finishes and extra fixtures you choose (like curtain tiebacks and window hardware).
This is a conscious design process that blends function with aesthetics. You’ll need to consider, for instance, factors like privacy and light control, bringing purposeful design to your period home.
Of course, there are also plenty of style considerations when window dressing. What colour palette will you choose, and will you opt for a print? Which fabric choice best reflects the interior aesthetic of your property?
As with any interior design concept, dressing your sash windows is a conscious and mindful process that takes into account the way your rooms look, feel, and function.
Choosing Your Sash Window Decoration
In period properties, your window dressings can make or break the space. To ensure you choose the right option for your rooms, we’ve taken a closer look at shutters, curtains, and blinds.
Romantic Shutters
Thanks to their heritage appeal, shutters are a favourite in period properties. They’ve been used in London for centuries, pre-dating glass windows, and it’s only in the past few hundred years that curtains have become more common.
Often crafted from wood, shutters complement the frames of timber sash windows. It’s also a definite advantage that they can be installed on hinges, allowing you to open them fully during the day. This creates an unobstructed view of your sash windows, ensuring their charm and character are on full display.
Specific styles of shutters also come with adjustable louvres (the horizontal panels of wood that create the main body of each shutter). Turn your louvres up or down depending on:
- How you want the light to flow into your room
- Where the sun is at any given time of day
For ground-floor windows, cafe-style shutters are a popular choice. These are fitted along the bottom half of your sash windows, bringing privacy to your interiors while allowing plenty of natural daylight.
The downside to shutters is that, due to the gaps between the louvres, they don’t provide a complete blackout of light. This is where layering comes in handy – an interior design method we’ll discuss later in this guide.
Cosy Curtains
When it comes to sash window decoration, curtains are the most popular choice. Though not quite as traditional as shutters, they’re still in keeping with period styles and bring a warmth to older homes that’s solidified them as a firm favourite.
From Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament, many of the city’s beloved historical buildings opt for curtains. If this is your choice, you’ll be in good company!
Curtains also offer plenty of design versatility and can dictate the aesthetics of your period home.
Rich velvets and jewel-toned patterns, for instance, lend a luxurious and opulent feel to interiors, drawing the eye to the windows. Lightweight linens and cottons, on the other hand, feel breezier and more modern.
Consider, too, the length of your curtains. Hillarys provides made-to-measure curtains, allowing you to tailor the dimensions to align with your interior design vision.
This might be full-length curtains that sweep the floor, creating a dramatic statement that suits larger rooms and high ceilings. Or, perhaps you’d like a more understated look, with curtains that perfectly fit the proportions of your Victorian sash windows.
Practicality is another reason that curtains remain so popular. When made from thick materials or paired with a quality lining, they provide excellent insulation and can achieve near-total blackout, which is ideal for bedrooms and interiors that face well-lit streets. Thermal linings are particularly effective in older homes, helping to reduce draughts while keeping the room cosy year-round.
Functional Blinds
Blinds are a more contemporary choice for sash window dressing, though by no means does that rule them out for period properties. When carefully chosen, made to measure blinds bring a subtle contrast to heritage interiors that blends modern functionality with traditional architecture; the best of both worlds.
One of the key advantages of blinds is that they’re space-saving. Blinds fit neatly within the recess of sash windows, making them an excellent option for smaller rooms where space is at a premium, such as home offices, bathrooms, and kitchens.
If you’re looking for maximum darkness, blackout blinds are a smart choice. These block out light when fitted correctly, making them brilliant for home cinemas and bedrooms.
From classic roller blinds to softly structured Roman styles, Hillarys offers a wide range of designs to suit both traditional and contemporary tastes. Neutral tones are easy to slot within existing aesthetics, while textured weaves or subtle patterns add interest without overpowering your home’s original features.
Layering Your Window Dressing
Sometimes, one window dressing isn’t enough. If you have a preference for a certain style but it isn’t ideal for light control or privacy, you can absolutely layer your choices for enhanced control.
You might, for instance, love the look of timber shutters for your sash windows, emulating that traditional cottage aesthetic. In bedrooms, though, you may be looking for something a little softer.
By installing both shutters and curtains, you don’t have to compromise. The curtains reduce light levels, but can be pulled back in the day to let your shutters take centre stage.
Play around with your options and layer different window dressings to see which pairing best suits your sash windows and period property.
Shutters, Curtains, or Blinds: Which is Right?
While aesthetics are important, the best window dressing choices are always guided by how a room is used. Reception rooms and living spaces often benefit from more decorative options, where shutters or curtains can become a focal point and enhance the period character of your home.
Bedrooms and street-facing rooms, on the other hand, need greater privacy, insulation, and light control. Blackout curtains and blinds are excellent options here. In compact spaces, too, blinds are a clear winner, enabling complete privacy without overwhelming the size of your rooms.
By thinking about each room individually – how much light it needs, how private it should feel, and the existing aesthetic – you can make more informed choices that balance style with everyday practicality.
Final Thoughts
Made-to-measure blinds and curtains pair perfectly with our handcrafted sash windows. Quality window dressings make beautiful additions to London period homes for elevated aesthetics and unbeatable quality.
Consider installing sash windows in your London home? Contact our team today for a free quote.