Large windows and high ceilings are a great feature to have in your home, but choosing curtains for them can be a bit difficult.
When everything is oversized, it helps to focus on the basics. For example, curtains with the right fabric, length, and style will bring balance, soften the architecture, and make the room feel more inviting.
This guide will help you choose curtains that work with the height of your space, not against it. By the end, you’ll know how to pick materials and styles that frame the view, filter light, and give your room a calm, finished look.
Why Large Windows Need a Different Approach
Dressing oversized windows and tall ceilings comes with its own unique challenges. Standard solutions may not always work, and small missteps can throw off the balance of an otherwise beautiful space.
1. Scale and Proportion: Regular curtain sizes often look small and out of place on large windows. Full-height panels with generous width help the room feel cohesive and in proportion with the architecture.
2. Light Management: Expansive glass brings incredible natural light, but it can also create glare, heat buildup, and a sense of exposure. Choosing curtains with adaptable opacity keeps the light comfortable throughout the day.
3. Acoustics: Tall, open rooms often echo because of hard surfaces and large areas of glass. Adding textiles helps absorb sound and makes the space feel calmer and more comfortable.
4. Privacy: Floor-to-ceiling windows offer stunning views, but they can sometimes leave a space feeling a little too exposed, especially if you live in an urban setting. Using layered curtains or fabrics with a soft, natural opacity helps create privacy while still allowing daylight into the room.
5. Installation Height: If you have high ceilings, you might want to be more mindful of where you place the curtain track or rod. When curtains sit too low, you can make the space look shorter and heavier.
Placing them higher helps the height work in your favor and keeps the room feeling open and well-proportioned.
Design Principles That Make Large Windows Look Intentional
With a large window, particularly one that runs from the floor to the ceiling, the curtains should feel connected to the space, almost like part of the architecture. With a few thoughtful styling choices, the look can move from simply covered to something refined, balanced, and beautiful.
1. Full-Length Elegance
Floor-to-ceiling curtains make the room feel taller and more cohesive because they follow the natural height of the space. When curtains stop short, the line is interrupted, and the whole window treatment can look a little unfinished.
2. Substantial Fabric Weight
Heavier textiles like wool, velvet, or linen blends drape smoothly and help anchor tall spaces. They add presence, soften acoustics, and bring a tactile sense of comfort.
3. Generous Fullness
Curtains always look better with a bit of volume. As a guide, choosing fabric that’s roughly two to two-and-a-half times the width of your window creates a softer, fuller look and gives the finished result more depth and intention.
4. Wall-to-Wall Draping
Extending the curtain track across the entire wall makes the windows feel larger and more seamless. It also allows the fabric to stack neatly when open, preserving the view and natural light.
5. Layered Curtains
Pair sheer fabrics with heavier panels to get the best of both worlds. Sheer materials allow daylight in and soften the view, while the second layer gives you privacy and extra warmth when the evening comes.
6. Ceiling-Mounted Tracks
Mounting the track on the ceiling keeps the lines clean and proportionate. It also emphasizes height, making the room feel open and thoughtfully designed.
The Best Curtain Fabrics for Tall and Wide Windows
Material becomes even more important when the windows are oversized. The fabric influences how the curtains drape, how softly they filter daylight, and even how comfortable the room feels throughout the day.
1. Velvet Curtains
Velvet is ideal when you want depth, softness, and a hint of elegance. Its dense pile absorbs sound and light, which makes it a great fit for living rooms or bedrooms. Rich jewel tones or muted neutrals both work beautifully at scale.
2. Heavy Linen Curtains
If you prefer a calmer, more natural aesthetic, heavy linen offers a relaxed elegance. It filters daylight gently and pairs well with wood, stone, or minimalist interiors. The weight gives the curtain a structured drape while still feeling breathable and understated.
3. Wool and Acoustic Curtains
Wool curtains help absorb sound and make the room feel softer and more comfortable. They are especially useful in open-plan apartments, modern architecture, and work-from-home spaces.
4. Artist-Designed Curtains
If you want your window to be the focal point of your room, artist-designed curtains can turn it into a true statement. Bold patterns or hand-drawn motifs scale beautifully on large curtains and bring individuality to the room.
They work especially well in creative homes, gallery-inspired interiors, or anywhere personality should be part of the design.
Measuring and Selecting the Right Length
Accurate measurements make a noticeable difference in how long curtains look, especially on tall windows. Start by measuring from the ceiling or track down to the floor so the curtain works with the architecture, not against it.
Most designers choose one of two finishes. A curtain that lightly touches the floor feels neat and tailored, while one that is slightly longer creates a softer and more relaxed look.
What you want to avoid is a shortened hem floating above the floor, since it disrupts the vertical line and makes the room feel smaller.
Fullness also matters. Aim for roughly double the width of your curtain track so the fabric falls into deep, generous folds rather than sitting flat.
If you have high ceilings, standard ready-made options are often too short, which is why longer custom or extended-length curtains, like ZigZagZurich’s long curtains, are often the better fit.
Find the Best Curtains for Your Home in ZigZagZurich
Looking for curtains that truly fit your window and improve your interior?
ZigZagZurich has the answer you’re looking for! We offer extra-long, ready-to-hang sizes designed for European ceiling heights, which means no awkward gaps or improvised fixes.
Every textile is woven from premium materials like Belgian linen, velvet, and wool, giving the panels the structure, weight, and drape needed for large architectural spaces.
We also offer beautiful, artist-designed curtains that turn oversized windows into a statement rather than an afterthought.
Shop our curtain collections today!
FAQs About Curtains for Large Windows and High Ceilings
Do I need custom curtains for very tall ceilings?
In many cases, standard curtains are too short. ZigZagZurich offers extended long-length options designed to fit most Swiss and European window heights, so you can get a perfect fit without going fully custom.
What fabric works best for large windows?
Heavier textiles like velvet, wool, and heavy linen tend to perform best. They drape beautifully over long distances and offer better insulation for both temperature and sound.
How do I measure for extra-long curtains?
Measure from the ceiling or the installed track down to the floor. If you want a clean finish, match that exact length. For a soft puddle, add five to ten centimeters.
Can curtains help with echo in tall rooms?
Yes. Dense fabrics such as wool and velvet absorb sound and can make open or lofty rooms feel more comfortable and calm.
Should I use ceiling-mounted tracks?
For tall windows, a ceiling-mounted track usually looks best. It keeps the lines clean and enhances the height of the room.
Do large window curtains always have to be dramatic?
Not at all. Velvet can create a bold, statement look, but heavy linen in soft neutrals can feel light, architectural, and quietly elegant.
