The Journal | Young & Co Interiors
There's something particularly beautiful about the windows in an older home. The generous proportions, the depth of the reveals, the original timber frames and the way natural light moves through rooms with high ceilings.
They're often among the architectural details that first draw us to a character home.
And yet, when it comes time to renovate, window furnishings can become something of an afterthought. The major design decisions have been made, the joinery is installed, the walls are painted, and only then do we begin considering what should happen at the windows.
At Young & Co, we prefer to approach things a little differently.
The best window furnishings for a character home are designed around the architecture, the natural light and how each room is used. That might mean full-height curtains, beautifully tailored Roman blinds or a combination of treatments. The right solution depends on the proportions of the windows, the original architectural details and the practical requirements of the space.
How do you choose window furnishings for a character home?
In Adelaide's Victorian villas, Federation homes and Californian bungalows, windows often have a presence that contemporary homes don't necessarily share.
Tall openings, original timber frames, decorative architraves and generous ceiling heights create their own proportions.
Before deciding on curtains or blinds, we consider the architecture itself. What deserves to remain visible? How does the window sit within the wall? Where does the natural light enter? And what happens to that light when the furnishings are open or closed?
There isn't one universally correct curtain height or heading style for every character home.
Sometimes we want curtains to extend from near the ceiling to the floor, emphasising the room's generous proportions. Other times, a decorative rod positioned in relation to the window architecture is the more considered choice.
The objective isn't simply to make the window appear larger. It's to make the window furnishings feel as though they belong.
How high should curtains be hung in rooms with high ceilings?
In rooms with high ceilings, curtains are often most successful when the track or rod is positioned above the window frame, allowing the fabric to fall towards the floor and complement the proportions of the room.
However, hanging curtains as high as possible isn't always the right answer.
In character homes, decorative cornices, ceiling roses, original architraves and the relationship between the window and ceiling all influence where a curtain should begin.
We also consider how far the curtain track extends beyond the window. Allowing sufficient space for the fabric to stack back can preserve natural light and keep the original window visible when the curtains are open.
The appropriate height, width and finished length should be determined by the individual window, the architecture and the chosen curtain heading rather than a standard measurement.
Curtains or Roman blinds: which is better for a character home?
One of the things we love about designing character homes is that different rooms can call for different treatments.
A formal living room with tall windows might suit full-length curtains that introduce softness and movement. A smaller bedroom window could be beautifully framed by a tailored Roman blind, while a kitchen may benefit from a simpler treatment that provides privacy without interfering with the working space.
Sometimes a combination of blinds and curtains offers the best balance of privacy, light control and softness.
And sometimes, the most considered decision is to leave a window largely unobstructed.
Rather than specifying the same treatment throughout the home, we consider what each window needs while maintaining a consistent design language across the spaces.
Which curtain fabrics work best in older homes?
Fabric selection plays an important role in how window furnishings look, hang and perform.
Linen and linen-blend fabrics can work beautifully in character homes, particularly where we want to introduce natural texture and softness. However, the most appropriate fabric will depend on the room, the desired appearance and the practical requirements.
For example, a living room might benefit from a softly textured sheer that filters daylight, while a bedroom may require a lined curtain or separate blockout treatment for privacy and light control.
We also consider the weight of the fabric, its drape, durability, maintenance requirements and exposure to sunlight.
Natural fibres can be beautiful, but they may also be more susceptible to movement, fading or creasing. The fabric composition and lining should be selected with those characteristics in mind.
The aim isn't simply to choose a beautiful material. It's to choose one that will perform well in the home.
What curtain details make the biggest difference?
Two rooms can use the same curtain fabric and achieve remarkably different results depending on how the curtains are made and installed.
The heading style, fullness, lining, track or rod, finished length and stack-back all influence the appearance.
A softly gathered curtain will sit differently from a tailored pleat. A lightweight linen blend will move differently from a heavier lined fabric. And a curtain that stacks neatly beyond the window can preserve more daylight than one that covers part of the glazing when open.
These decisions become particularly important in character homes, where the windows themselves are often a significant architectural feature.
We also consider how the window furnishings relate to furniture, joinery, heating and cooling, wall lights and the movement of people through the room.
It's these relationships that help a space feel cohesive rather than simply furnished.
When should window furnishings be planned during a renovation?
Ideally, window furnishings should be considered during the interior design and documentation stages, before construction begins.
For some projects, curtains and blinds can be installed relatively simply once the renovation is complete. For others, decisions need to happen much earlier.
Recessed curtain tracks, concealed fixings, motorised blinds and certain ceiling details may require coordination with the builder, electrician or joiner before construction is finished.
Even the position of a wall light, built-in seat or piece of cabinetry can influence where curtains sit and how they operate.
By considering window furnishings alongside the lighting plan, electrical requirements, joinery and architectural details, we can resolve these relationships before they become expensive or awkward compromises.
It's one of the reasons we encourage clients to think about the finished home as a whole, rather than treating window furnishings as a separate decision at the very end.
How do you preserve original windows and heritage details?
When renovating an older home, original timber windows, decorative cornices, ceiling details and architraves deserve careful consideration.
Window furnishings should be designed and installed in a way that respects these architectural elements, including selecting appropriate fixing locations and avoiding unnecessary damage to original materials.
We don't believe contemporary window furnishings need to imitate the period of the home. A beautifully tailored curtain on a discreet modern track can sit comfortably alongside original architecture.
What matters is that the new elements complement the existing details rather than compete with them.
If your Adelaide property is heritage-listed or located within a protected historic area, it's important to check the applicable requirements before altering original windows or significant architectural features.
Frequently asked questions about character home window furnishings
Should curtains touch the floor in a character home?
Floor-length curtains often complement the generous proportions of character homes. A slight clearance above the floor can provide a tailored appearance and make cleaning easier, while a soft break may suit a more relaxed design. The right finish depends on the fabric, flooring and intended aesthetic.
Are Roman blinds suitable for heritage and period homes?
Yes. Roman blinds can work beautifully in character homes, particularly on smaller windows or in spaces where full-length curtains aren't practical. The fabric, mounting position and relationship to original timber frames and architraves should be carefully considered.
Do high ceilings always require ceiling-mounted curtains?
No. Ceiling-mounted tracks can be an elegant solution, but they aren't appropriate for every room. Decorative cornices, ceiling height, window proportions and original architectural details may make a wall-mounted track or decorative rod a better choice.
Should curtains and blinds match throughout the house?
Not necessarily. Different rooms may require different window treatments. A cohesive result can be achieved through complementary fabrics, colours, hardware and detailing without using identical furnishings at every window.
Should window furnishings be selected before or after a renovation?
Window furnishings are best considered during the design phase, particularly when recessed tracks, motorisation, joinery or electrical work is involved. Fabric selections and final measurements may be completed later, depending on the project.
A final thought
Window furnishings are often described as the finishing touch to a room. And visually, they may be one of the last elements installed.
But that doesn't mean they should be one of the last things considered.
When they're designed in relationship to the architecture, natural light, furniture and the way each room is used, the result feels considered from the very beginning.
And that's precisely what we're aiming for.
Planning a character home renovation in Adelaide?
At Young & Co Interiors, we consider the details of your home together, from spatial planning and material selections through to custom joinery, window furnishings and the finishing touches.
We specialise in full-service interior design for character homes, substantial renovations and acreage properties across Adelaide and South Australia.
If you're planning a renovation and would like to explore how we could work together, we'd love to hear about your project.