5 Window Treatment Ideas for High Windows

Published 3/18/2025

What window treatments are best for high windows?

High windows can be a stunning architectural feature, flooding your space with natural light and creating a sense of grandeur. However, treating these lofty windows can present a unique set of challenges. From accessibility issues to design considerations, finding the perfect window treatments for high windows requires careful planning and creative solutions. In this blog post, we’ll explore several window treatment ideas that will help you elevate your high windows’ style and functionality.

1. Motorized Shades: Convenience at Your Fingertips

One of the biggest challenges with high windows is accessibility. Motorized shades offer a practical and stylish solution, allowing you to effortlessly control your window treatments with the touch of a button or a smartphone app. Motorized window treatments can be programmed to open and close automatically at certain times of the day, maximizing natural light while minimizing energy costs as well. With a wide range of fabrics and styles available, motorized shades can be customized to suit your aesthetic preferences while providing convenience and ease of use.

2. Extra-Long Drapes: Creating Drama and Elegance

Embrace the height of your windows by opting for extra-long drapes that pool gracefully on the floor. This approach creates a sense of drama and elegance, drawing the eye upward and emphasizing the grandeur of your high windows. Choose lightweight, flowing fabrics for a romantic, airy feel, or go for heavier materials for a more luxurious look. A great option is our SmartDrape™, which is constructed from a series of individual fabric vanes suspended in a sheer to create a floating effect. Our SmartDrape™ can now also reach up to 12 feet tall to create a dramatic ceiling to floor look.

3. Honeycomb Shades: A Classic Choice with a Modern Twist

Honeycomb shades are an excellent choice for high windows, offering a perfect blend of aesthetic and energy efficiency. The unique cellular structure of honeycomb shades traps air within the cells, providing an extra layer of insulation that helps regulate the temperature in your home. This feature is particularly beneficial for high windows, which are often more exposed to direct sunlight.  Our Portrait™ Honeycomb Shades can also be motorized, which is perfect for hard-to-reach high windows, eliminating the need for manual adjustments and making it easier to maintain the perfect level of light control and privacy throughout the day. 

4. Solar Shades: Combining Function and Style

Solar shades are an excellent choice for high windows because they provide effective glare control, UV protection, and heat reduction without blocking natural light. Their sleek, lightweight design allows for easy operation, especially when paired with motorization for added convenience. With a range of openness levels, solar shades help maintain views while reducing heat gain, making them a practical and stylish solution for high windows.

5. Custom Shutters: Timeless Elegance and Practicality

Custom shutters are a timeless choice for high windows, offering a clean, streamlined appearance that works well with various architectural styles. Opt for full-height shutters to emphasize the grandeur of your windows or consider café-style shutters that cover only the lower portion for a more relaxed feel. Motorization can also be incorporated into custom shutters, making them easy to adjust as needed. Our award-winning PerfectTilt™ G4 motorized shutters deliver convenient and consistent performance, and come with an intuitive remote control and quiet, energy efficient motors with built-in solar panels.

Covering high windows may seem daunting at first, but with the right window treatments, you can elevate your space’s style and functionality. From motorized shades and extra-long drapes to solar shades and custom shutters, there are numerous options to suit your specific needs and design preferences. By carefully considering factors like accessibility, light control, privacy and aesthetic appeal, you can create a stunning and practical window treatment plan that showcases the beauty of your high windows while ensuring ease of use and comfort.

FAQs

What are the main challenges when treating high windows?

• Accessibility: High windows can be difficult to reach, making it challenging to adjust or maintain window treatments without special tools or ladders.
• Light control: Due to their size and position, high windows can let in a significant amount of natural light, which may need to be regulated for comfort and privacy.
• Design considerations: Finding window treatments that complement the scale and grandeur of high windows while still being functional can be a challenge.

Are motorized shades a good option for high windows?

Yes, motorized shades are an ideal solution for high or hard to reach windows. They offer convenience, ease of use, and precise light control without the need for ladders or special tools. Motorized shades come in a wide range of fabrics, colors, and styles to suit various design preferences.

Are custom shutters a practical choice for high windows?

Yes, custom shutters are a practical and timeless choice for high windows. They offer a clean, streamlined appearance that complements various architectural styles. Shutters provide excellent light control and privacy, and they are highly durable and easy to maintain. Motorization can also be incorporated into custom shutters for added convenience.