Choose The Right Curtains For Victorian Or Edwardian Homes

You fell in love with the windows, the tall sashes and the ornate cornicing, but how do you dress these wonderful windows in a way that enhances their beauty whilst also dealing with draughts, privacy, uneven floors, and the reality that nothing in a period home is ever quite straight?

Although your home was built over a hundred years ago, there’s no reason why in 2026 it can’t feel both timeless and completely current. This article will walk you through the key decisions and share the insider knowledge that will help you get curtains that bring joy every day, in your Victorian or Edwardian home.

by/June 1, 2026/inLearning Centre

What Makes Victorian And Edwardian Windows So Special — And So Challenging?

Quick Answer: The very features that make these homes magical (high ceilings, ornate cornicing, beautiful bay windows) are the same features that make window dressings more complex than in a modern home.

‘The features are what make them special, but also difficult,’ says Katherine Brown, founder of Katherine Brown Curtains and Blinds. ‘Cornices, ceiling height, bay windows, asymmetry, decorative stained glass: period homes have limitations that need managing.’

With period property renovations continuing to surge in popularity in 2026, more homeowners than ever are grappling with these beautiful but challenging windows. Victorian homes (built 1837–1901) typically have ornate detailing, darker wood tones, and can accommodate bold colour schemes. Edwardian homes (1901–1910) tend towards lighter, airier interiors. But both share common challenges:

Multiple window styles under one roof, including sash windows, bay windows, casement windows, quirky attic windows, and often contemporary extension windows too

Cornicing that may limit hardware options: where can you actually fit a pole or track? This often requires technical know-how to work out, how and where, to fit the hardware brackets to get the look and function you want

Tight spaces around windows, especially in smaller Victorian terraces where every inch of light matters, make curtain design details such as configuration, heading types, linings etc so important

Nothing being straight: floors slope, walls bow, window frames aren’t level, professional measuring can really help

‘Designed properly, and considering all the elements such as furniture positioning and room usage, curtains can do a brilliant job of hiding imperfections and accentuating the beauty and quirkiness of your period home’ Katherine explains. ‘Curtains can do so so much, but hardware choice is critical.’

Choose The Right Curtains For Victorian Or Edwardian Homes

What Our Period Home Clients Say:

‘Quite aside from the lovely end result throughout the house, I’d heartily recommend Katherine for dealing with awkward bay windows. The suggestion for dealing with them ended up looking great as well as blocking out the light.’ — Kerry E., London

Do I Need Curtains, Blinds, Or Both In My Period Home?

Quick Answer: Almost always both. Period homes demand a mix because of the variety of window styles and room functions within a single house.

‘Almost always both,’ says Katherine. ‘Period homes demand a mix because of the variety of window styles (even within a single room) and also how the room is to be used (often rooms have to serve multiple functions).’

The reality is that most Victorian and Edwardian homes will have curtains in some rooms and blinds in others, and often a combination of both in the same room. A grand bay window in the living room might have stunning floor-length curtains, whilst the quirky attic bedroom works better with Roman blinds.

The kitchen might need practical roller blinds, whilst the master bedroom benefits from blackout blinds behind elegant curtains for layered privacy and light control.

Katherine’s Key Takeout: Don’t feel you’ve failed if curtains won’t work everywhere. The best-dressed period homes feel layered and considered, not uniform. Different solutions for different windows is usually the right answer.

Read: Choosing the Perfect Blinds for Victorian and Edwardian Homes

What’s The Best Way To Dress A Victorian Bay Window?

Quick Answer: If ceiling height allows, curtains are stunning. But blinds can work beautifully too, especially in smaller or more functional rooms.

Bay windows are the focal feature of any Victorian or Edwardian room, and dressing them requires an expert eye.

‘If ceiling height allows, curtains are stunning,’ says Katherine. ‘But blinds can work too, especially in smaller or functional rooms. The key is achieving balance and flow across the house.’

For curtains in a bay, you’ll need to consider whether there’s space for a curved track or pole, and whether there is space for the curtains to stack back far enough not to block light during the day. For blinds, Roman blinds fitted within each section maintain the architectural integrity whilst providing full functionality.

What Are The Curtain Hardware Options For A Bay Window?

One of the most common questions I am asked is what are the curtain hardware options for a bay window and how do I decide? This will depend on a number of factors such as: do you prefer the look of a pole or the functionality of a corded track? Or maybe you want the best of both worlds?

The good news is there are a number of options to choose from – metal poles with passing rings, curtain tracks which can be corded or hand drawn, corded poles with tracks inside them (the look of a pole but the functionality of a track). Another popular approach is a track that is hidden either behind a cornice, fabric pelmet or covered lath – options which are especially beneficial in bedrooms as they provide superior blackout.

If you are based in Surrey, where Victorian and Edwardian homes are found throughout towns like Reigate, Guildford and Dorking, see our Surrey curtain maker page for more on how we work in the area.

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How Do I Stop Curtains Blocking Light In Small Victorian Windows?

Quick Answer: It comes down to hardware selection, stacking space, heading type, curtain linings and curtain configuration – sometimes using a single curtain instead of a pair or breaking up the curtains within the bay to be better distributed e.g four curtains set around the bay can really help and also provide a more dramatic look.

This is one of the most common concerns we hear, particularly from owners of smaller Victorian terraces where windows can be modest and wall space either side is tight.

‘It comes down to hardware selection, stacking space, heading type, curtain linings and sometimes using a single curtain instead of a pair,’ Katherine explains.

Key considerations:

  • Extend your pole or track well beyond the window frame so curtains can stack back fully onto the walls on either side of the bay
  • Choose a heading type that stacks efficiently, as some headings are bulkier than others
  • Consider a single curtain rather than a pair if space is very tight on one side
  • Get the hardware right, because this is where a professional eye makes all the difference

Katherine’s Key Takeout: If you have an incredible view or precious daylight, a single curtain, strategically placed, can ensure that a beautiful window is not obstructed whilst still giving you the softness and style of fabric at the window.

Which Curtain Headings Work Best For Victorian And Edwardian Homes?

Quick Answer: Double pinch pleat is the go-to for most period properties. Triple pinch works for very traditional spaces with room to spare. Euro pleat is increasingly popular for a structured but slightly more relaxed look.

Heading type affects both the look and the practicality of your curtains: how they hang, how they stack, and how formal or relaxed they feel.

‘Double pinch pleat is the go-to,’ says Katherine. ‘Triple pinch for very traditional spaces if there’s room. Euro pleat is increasingly popular, structured but relaxed. We rarely use pencil pleat now, even for sheers where we prefer double pinch pleat.’

That said pencil pleat still has an important part to play in period homes but proceed with care, to avoid disappointment

In period homes, a pencil pleat is perfect for cafe curtains, and for under cabinet curtains, a deeper pencil pleat tape can give a really dramatic look. Further, when used with a stand-up, pencil pleat can create the most wonderful cottage-headed curtains which can look absolutely charming in a Victorian or Edwardian home.

A quick guide:

  • Double pinch pleat: elegant, structured, works in almost any period room
  • Triple pinch pleat: more formal, traditional, requires more fabric and stacking space
  • Euro pleat: clean, modern take on the pinch pleat, works beautifully in Edwardian homes
  • Pencil pleat: largely fallen out of favour for anything but the most budget-conscious projects

Katherine’s Key Takeout: We’ve seen a big decline in the popularity of eyelet headings because of the issues with functionality, and fashion seems to have moved on a bit too. For period homes especially, eyelets rarely feel right.

Read: Curtain Tracks or Poles: Which Is Right for Your Home?

How Do I Add Drama Without Overwhelming A Small Room?

Quick Answer: Balance. If one element is bold, keep others calm. Consider fabric weight, heading type, lining, and the rest of the room.

Victorian and Edwardian homes can take bold choices, but getting the balance right is crucial.
‘Balance,’ says Katherine simply. ‘If one element is bold, keep others calm. Consider fabric weight, heading type, lining, and the rest of the room.’

This might mean choosing a striking fabric but keeping the heading simple, or going for drama in the curtains but keeping walls neutral. It’s about the whole room working together, not one element shouting over everything else.

READ: How we worked with an interior designer to transform a period home in Chiswick

Should Curtains Match Across Different Window Styles In One House?

Quick Answer: Some continuity helps, usually through heading type or hardware, but fabric can change room to room. These homes should feel layered and considered, not uniform.

With so many different window styles under one roof, this question comes up constantly.
‘Some continuity helps, heading type or hardware,’ Katherine advises. ‘Fabric can change. These homes should feel layered and considered, not uniform.’

You might use the same pole finish throughout the house, or the same heading style, whilst allowing fabrics and trims to respond to each room’s character and function. A linen in the living room, a velvet in the bedroom, a practical cotton in the kitchen, but all hanging from the same style of hardware, creating a sense of flow without monotony.

For more inspiration on bedroom-specific curtain ideas, The English Home’s guide to bedroom curtains offers beautiful examples of how different fabrics and styles can transform a sleeping space.

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When Should I Bring In A Curtain Designer For My Period Home?

Quick Answer: If you’re renovating, bring a curtain designer in early, ideally before plastering. Even without renovation, a designer helps you get the best result from what you’ve got.

This is where many homeowners go wrong, leaving curtains as an afterthought when the decisions that affect them have already been made.

‘If renovating, bring your curtain designer in early,’ Katherine urges. ‘We can advise on cornice depth and positioning, window architraves, track placement and how to create recesses for hidden hardware and how to plan ahead for motorisation and home automation’.

A curtain designer can flag issues before they become problems: cornicing that’s too deep for a track, walls that won’t take the weight of a heavy pole, windows where the only viable solution is blinds. Getting this advice early can save expensive mistakes, something that’s even more important in 2026 as renovation costs continue to rise.

‘Even without renovation, a designer helps you get the best result from what you’ve got,’ Katherine adds.

Katherine’s Key Takeout: Clients often come to us because they are concerned as to whether they can achieve the look they have fallen in love with. It’s our job to help them achieve this in the best way for their windows – and if it’s not obvious straight away we usually find a way.

What Does A Curtain Designer Actually Look At During A Consultation?

Quick Answer: Everything from your style expectations and window architecture to furniture layout, room function, privacy needs, and other needs such as blackout.

A good consultation covers far more than just choosing fabric.

Katherine’s team looks at:

  • Style expectations: what look are you hoping to achieve?
  • Window architecture: what’s feasible given your specific windows, cornicing, and wall space?
  • Hardware position: is there actually room for a pole or track where you want it
  • Fabrics, colours, and design: what will work with your décor and light levels?
  • Heading type: balancing look, function, and practicality
  • Lining requirements: do you need blackout, thermal, or interlining?
  • Privacy and layering: do you need privacy blinds, curtains or cafe curtains?
  • Floor levels: if your floors aren’t level, how long should each curtain be?
  • Room function and furniture layout: where will curtains sit when open?
  • Budget: what’s achievable within your investment level?

Ready To Get Started?

Choosing curtains for a Victorian or Edwardian home isn’t straightforward, but with the right guidance, you can achieve window treatments that enhance your beautiful period features whilst solving all those practical challenges too.

Get in touch with us via our website to arrange a design consultation. We’ll assess your windows, discuss your style and functional requirements, and create solutions that work, bringing you daily joy in a home that feels considered, layered, and unmistakably yours.

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Choose The Right Curtains For Victorian Or Edwardian Homes FAQ

  • Will cornicing stop me from having a curtain pole?

    Not necessarily, but it affects your options. Tracks can often be fitted behind or below cornicing, or we may recommend face-fixing a pole below the cornice line. Every situation is different.

  • How do I get privacy in a Victorian terrace without losing light?

    Layering is usually the answer: sheer blinds or café-style curtains for daytime privacy, with full length curtains for evening. We often recommend sheer roller or Roman blinds behind curtains.

  • Can I achieve blackout in a period bedroom without ruining the look?

    Absolutely. Blackout blinds behind elegant curtains give you complete darkness when needed and beautiful style during the day. Other options include pelmets or covered laths with corded tracks

  • Where should I spend my curtain budget first?

    Prioritise the rooms you use most and the windows that matter most architecturally. Often the living room bay and master bedroom are the places to invest first.

  • Can I have curtains on small dormer windows?

    Yes, but it requires careful planning. Drapery arms can be a great way to stack curtains off the window during the day. We sometimes encounter dormer windows with sloping walls and here a pair of hold backs can really help to dress curtains back to the wall when open.

About The Author

Katherine Brown began her career project managing major house renovations, giving her a rare mix of creative design ability and deep technical understanding of construction, hardware, motorisation and installation. For the last decade, Katherine and her team have delivered bespoke window dressings and soft furnishings for homes across London and the UK, including large heritage properties, complex architectural spaces and full-house projects where every room demands a tailored approach.

She works with some of the UK’s most respected interior designers as well as private homeowners and her work is recognised for its precision, considered detailing and a calm, collaborative design process rooted in trust and craftsmanship.

Katherine is particularly known for her thoughtful use of trims and layering, and for her belief that well-designed window dressings can quietly transform how a home feels—bringing clarity, comfort and a sense of ease to everyday living.

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Katherine: 07954 377 927
Sara: 07398 734 937