A loft conversion is one of the most exciting home improvement projects you can undertake. You’ve gained a whole new room, the views from up there are brilliant, and the light is something else entirely. But then comes the question that stumps almost every homeowner once the builders have packed up and left: what on earth do you do with the windows?

Loft windows are a different beast to the windows in the rest of your home, and they need window treatments that are specifically suited to the unique challenges they present. Here’s what actually works.

The Loft Window Challenge

Most loft conversions feature either Velux-style roof windows, dormer windows, or a combination of both. Roof windows sit flush with the roofline at an angle, which rules out most standard window coverings straight away. Dormer windows, while more like conventional windows in shape, are often tucked into awkward recesses with limited space around the frame.

Add to this the fact that loft rooms tend to overheat in summer and lose heat rapidly in winter, and you quickly realise that the window dressing you choose needs to work harder than anywhere else in the house.

Why Fit Matters So Much With Roof Windows

For angled roof windows, a perfectly fitted blackout blind is the most practical solution, particularly if the loft is being used as a bedroom. Light pours in from above far more directly than through a vertical window, and even a modest gap around the edge of a blind can make a room uncomfortably bright at five o’clock on a summer morning.

Made-to-measure roller blinds cut to the exact dimensions of your roof window sit flush against the frame with no light bleed around the edges, which makes a dramatic difference to sleep quality. A thermal roller blind in this position also helps to regulate the temperature in a room that would otherwise swing between extremes throughout the year.

Dormer Windows Are A Chance To Add Character

Dormer windows give you a bit more creative freedom, and this is where you can really have some fun with your window treatments. Because dormers often sit within a deep recess, made-to-measure Roman blinds are an excellent choice. They stack back neatly when raised, keeping the recess clear and making the most of the light, while adding warmth, texture, and personality when lowered.

A loft conversion that’s being used as a home office benefits particularly well from a Roman blind in a light-filtering fabric, giving you control over glare on a screen without plunging the room into darkness.

When Curtains Work In A Loft

If your dormer windows are generous in size and the ceiling height allows for it, full-length made-to-measure curtains can look absolutely stunning in a loft bedroom. The sloped ceilings and cosy proportions of a loft room lend themselves beautifully to rich fabrics and considered curtain headings, creating a boutique bedroom feel that’s hard to achieve anywhere else in the house.

Loft windows deserve window treatments that are built around them rather than squeezed into them as an afterthought. Buy your made-to-measure roller blinds, Roman blinds, and curtains from The Sewing House, and get the perfect fit for every window in your conversion.