How to Hang Curtains on an Arched Window: 7 Ways

Arched windows bring height and character to a room, but that graceful curve is exactly what makes them awkward to cover. Standard rods are straight, the glass is not, and a lot of people freeze at the thought of hiding the shape they paid extra for.

The good news is you can hang curtains on an arched window without fighting the architecture. The real decision is whether to work above the arch, below it, or follow the curve itself, then match the hardware to that choice.

Below are the treatments that actually work, a budget rod you can build in an afternoon, and step-by-step hanging instructions.

Window Treatments for Arched Windows

The right treatment depends on your budget, how much privacy you need, and how much of the curve you want to keep visible. It also depends on the shape of the arch. A perfect (half-round) arch is exactly half as tall as it is wide, so some off-the-shelf hardware fits it. A Palladian arch is taller than that and an eyebrow arch is shallower, and any non-half-circle shape almost always needs a custom paper template to get a covering that fits.

Here is a breakdown of the options worth considering.

Plantation Shutters

If you want a permanent solution that looks built-in, plantation shutters are the gold standard. They are custom-built to fit the exact radius of your arch. You can adjust the louvers to let light in while keeping the view out.

Most custom shutters for arches come in a “sunburst” pattern, with the louvers fanning out from the bottom center like sun rays. They cost more than fabric, but they add resale value and hold up for years.

Custom Curtains

Custom curtains act as a frame for your view. On an arched window, custom drapery lets you follow the curve with a flexible rod, or mount medallions along the arch to hold the fabric in place.

This gives a soft, romantic look that hard treatments cannot match. Keep in mind that stationary curved curtains usually stay closed or tied back, and they do not traverse along a track the way straight-rod curtains do.

If you order custom drapes, you will likely need a professional to template your arch. Arches are rarely perfect half-circles, and fabric is unforgiving if the measurements are off by even an inch.

Swag Drapes and Scarves

Swag valances, or “scarves,” are long pieces of fabric draped over the window hardware. To hang one on an arch, install three hooks or drapery medallions, one at each lower corner and a third at the top center, then drape the fabric loosely across them.

This is a good option for a bohemian or traditional room. It plays up the height of the window without covering the glass. If you have a row of arched windows, swagging fabric across all of them ties them together.

It is mostly decorative, though. It will not block much light or give you real privacy unless you layer it over blinds or shades on the lower part of the window.

Arched Cellular Shades

Cellular shades, also called honeycomb shades, are known for insulating. For arched windows they are usually made as a stationary “fan” that sits inside the arch.

The honeycomb cells trap air, which slows heat moving through the glass. The U.S. Department of Energy rates insulated cellular shades as the highest-R-value window covering, and its national lab field studies found the right ones can save up to about 20% on heating energy ⁽¹⁾. That matters on tall arched windows, which lose a lot of heat.

There are two main types: stationary (always covered) and movable. Movable arched cellular shades are rarer and cost more, but they let you collapse the fan down to see the sky.

Roller Shades

Roller shades give a clean, minimalist look. Standard roller shades cannot roll up into a curved headrail, so the usual fix is a “bottom-up” install or mounting the shade below the arch.

If you mount the roller shade at the base of the arch (the top of the rectangular part), you leave the curved glass exposed. That gives you privacy at eye level while keeping the natural light up top.

For a built-in look, hide the roller mechanism behind a custom valance or wooden pelmet that runs across the window where the arch begins.

Straight Rods (High and Wide)

The “high and wide” method is the go-to trick for interior designers on a budget. Instead of hunting for a curved rod, you install a standard straight curtain rod high above the top of the arch.

This makes the room feel taller. When the curtains are open, they frame the whole window, arch included. When they are closed, they block all the light.

The alternative is mounting the rod just below the arch. That splits the window into two sections, so the rectangle gets privacy and the arch stays open. It is common on Palladian windows, though it can look disjointed if the hardware is not chosen with care.

Window Film

Sometimes the best treatment is no fabric at all. If you like the look of your trim and glass but need to block UV rays or the view in, static-cling window film is the answer.

You can buy frosted, etched, or stained-glass-effect films. It is cheap and easy to put up. Cut the film to the shape of your arch and apply it with water.

This is a good fit for bathroom arches, where you want privacy but not fabric that can trap humidity and grow mildew.

DIY Arched Curtain Rod Tutorial

Can’t find a curved rod that fits? You have two routes. Ready-made flexible arch rod kits exist, such as the clear Kirsch arch rod sold in adjustable 24-to-48-inch and 48-to-86-inch sizes with brackets and screws included, and bendable curtain track that comes coiled and can be shaped to the curve if you want a panel that actually slides. If you would rather build your own for a few dollars, here is how.

Materials Needed

• Flexible PVC pipe (1/2 inch or 3/4 inch diameter).
• Wall brackets (hook style).
• Decorative finials.
• Spray paint (metallic finish looks best).
• Hacksaw or PVC cutter.
• Drill and screws.

1. Measure the Arch

Start with the base width, then divide it in half to mark the center point. Measure the center height straight up from that midpoint to the highest point of the curve. For the rod itself, measure the full length of the curve from the bottom left corner, up over the peak, to the bottom right corner, and add about 4 inches for the finials on the ends. If your arch is not a perfect half-circle, tape kraft paper or cardboard over it and trace the exact curve so you have a template to bend the pipe against.

2. Cut and Paint

Cut your PVC pipe to the length you measured. Take the pipe, brackets, and finials outside and spray paint them to match. Oil-rubbed bronze or brushed nickel spray paints adhere well to plastic and look authentic.

3. Install the Brackets

Install a bracket at the bottom corners of the arch on each side. Depending on the width of the window, you may need a third support bracket at the very peak of the arch to prevent the pipe from sagging.

4. Assemble

Slide your curtain panels onto the PVC pipe. If you are using a pocket rod curtain, the fabric will gather nicely along the curve. Attach your finials to the ends of the pipe, then snap the pipe into the brackets.

How to Hang Curtains on Arched Windows

If you are opting for the “straight rod below the arch” look, getting the level right is critical. Here is the standard procedure.

Tools Required

• Tape measure.
• Level.
• Drill.
• Wall anchors and screws.
• Pencil.

1. Mark the Height

Decide where the rod will sit. Typically, this is right at the “break” line where the rectangular window stops and the arch begins. Use your level to draw a light pencil line across this separation.

2. Position Brackets

Place your brackets against the wall. You want them slightly wider than the window frame so the curtains can stack back and reveal the glass. Mark your screw holes with a pencil.

3. Drill and Anchor

Drill pilot holes at your marks. Since drapery can be heavy, always use plastic wall anchors if you are not drilling directly into a wooden stud. Tap the anchors in until they are flush with the wall.

4. Mount and Hang

Screw the brackets into the anchors. Feed your curtain panel onto the rod, lift it up, and set it into the brackets. Tighten the set screws on the brackets to lock the rod in place.

FAQs

How Can I Cover an Arched Window Cheaply?

The cheapest way to cover an arched window is static-cling window film or a paper pleated shade, both of which cost only a few dollars. For a fuller budget fix, mount a standard straight curtain rod high above the arch and hang floor-length panels, which covers the whole window with ordinary hardware and skips the pricey custom curved rod.

Can You Put Normal Blinds on an Arched Window?

Yes, you can put normal blinds on an arched window, but only on the rectangular section below the curve. Standard faux-wood blinds or cellular shades mount at the base of the arch, leaving the curved top open for light while covering the main pane for privacy. The arch itself needs a custom fan shade or shutter if you want it covered too.

How Do You Measure an Arched Window for Curtains?

To measure an arched window, take the base width, divide it in half to mark the center, and measure the center height straight up to the top of the curve. For a straight rod, add 4 to 8 inches to the width for stack-back. For a custom inside-mount arch shade, also tape paper over the glass and trace the curve, since arches are rarely perfect half-circles.

Should You Hang Curtains Above or Below the Arch?

Hang curtains above the arch when you want full privacy and a taller-looking room, since a straight rod mounted a few inches over the peak lets the panels cover the whole window when closed. Hang them below the arch, where the curve meets the straight sides, when you want to keep the arch visible and let its light through. Above-the-arch suits bedrooms, and below-the-arch suits a feature window you want to show off.

Do You Need a Special Curtain Rod for an Arched Window?

You do not need a special rod if you mount a standard straight rod above or below the arch, which is what most people do. You only need special hardware to make the curtain follow the curve: a flexible arched rod kit, a bendable curtain track shaped to the arch, or a DIY rod made from flexible PVC pipe. Match the rod length to the curve and add a few inches for the finials.

Final Thoughts

Arched windows are an asset, not a privacy problem, once you stop forcing straight hardware onto a curve. Pick your approach first: cover the whole window with a high straight rod, split it and keep the arch open, or follow the curve with a shutter, a fan shade, or a bendable rod.

Measure carefully, template the curve if your arch is not a clean half-circle, and match the treatment to how much light and privacy each room actually needs.