Mid Century Modern Window Treatments Elegant Solutions

One of the greatest joys of working with Mid Century Modern (MCM) architecture is the profound connection between the interior and the exterior. However, those iconic floor-to-ceiling glass walls and clerestory windows present a unique challenge for privacy and light control. In my years as an interior designer and architect, I have found that clients often struggle to dress these windows without ruining the clean lines of the home.

I vividly remember a renovation project in a classic Eichler home where the owners had initially installed heavy, dark velvet curtains. The fabric completely suffocated the airy, optimistic spirit of the architecture, turning a light-filled atrium into a cave. We swapped them for ceiling-mounted tracks with semi-sheer linen, and the transformation was immediate; the house could finally breathe again.

In this guide, we will explore how to select treatments that honor the modernist aesthetic while solving practical problems like heat gain and glare. For those who want to jump straight to visual examples, please note that a curated Picture Gallery is at the end of this blog post.

Respecting the Architecture: The Art of Disappearing

The golden rule of Mid Century Modern design is that the architecture itself is the star. When we approach window treatments for this style, our primary goal is often to make the hardware and textiles disappear when they are not in use. We want to frame the view, not distract from it.

In evidence-based design, we study how natural light affects human circadian rhythms and cortisol levels. MCM homes are excellent for mental well-being because of this light, but unmanaged glare can cause significant visual fatigue. The goal is to filter light, not block it entirely, maintaining that critical biophilic connection to the outdoors.

Designer’s Note: The Stack Back Calculation

One specific lesson I learned early in my career involves “stack back,” which is the amount of space the curtains occupy when fully open. In MCM homes, you never want the open curtain to block the glass.

The Rule: Measure your window width and add 30% to the total length of your rod or track. This ensures that when the drapes are open, the fabric stacks completely against the wall, leaving 100% of the glass exposed.

Common Mistakes + Fixes

Mistake: Mounting the curtain rod directly on the window trim.
Fix: Always mount hardware either ceiling-flush or at least 6 to 10 inches above the window frame. This accentuates the verticality of the room and mimics the “glass wall” effect even on standard windows.

Mistake: Using decorative finials (the end caps on rods).
Fix: Choose end-caps or return the rod to the wall (French return). MCM design is about clean lines, not ornate swirls or crystal balls.

The Drapery Solution: Ripplefold and Ceiling Tracks

If you look at architectural photography from the 1950s and 60s, you will rarely see grommet-top curtains. The quintessential MCM look is the “Ripplefold” or a crisp pinch pleat. These styles provide a uniform, architectural column of fabric that complements the structured nature of the home.

I almost exclusively use ceiling-mounted tracks for these projects. By eliminating the visible rod and rings, the curtain appears to float. This emphasizes the height of the room and feels incredibly modern, despite being a technique used for decades.

Fabric Selection for the Era

When selecting fabrics, texture is more important than pattern. While MCM is known for bold geometric prints, I prefer to keep those on throw pillows or rugs. For large expanses of glass, stick to solid colors with rich textures.

Recommended Fabrics:

Open-Weave Linen: Allows light filtration and adds organic warmth.
Wool Blends: Excellent for insulation in single-pane glass homes; drapes beautifully.
Casement Fabrics: These are open-weave fabrics specifically designed to provide daytime privacy while letting light in.

What I’d Do in a Real Project

If I were designing a living room with a 12-foot sliding glass door, here is my exact checklist:
1. Hardware: White, ceiling-mounted aluminum track (blends into the ceiling).
2. Heading: 100% fullness Ripplefold style.
3. Fabric: A semi-sheer wool/poly blend in a warm oatmeal or cool grey, depending on the flooring.
4. Hem: A weighted hem that “kisses” the floor (touching, but not puddling). Puddling is too romantic for MCM.

Hard Treatments: Woven Woods and Roller Shades

Sometimes, drapery isn’t the right answer, especially in kitchens or bathrooms where humidity and grease are factors. In these instances, hard treatments offer a streamlined solution that fits the “function first” ethos of modernism.

Roller shades have made a massive comeback and are perhaps the most historically accurate update you can make. Modern technology allows for UV-blocking solar shades that protect your expensive walnut furniture from fading while still allowing you to see the view during the day.

Woven Woods and Bamboo

For a warmer, more organic look, woven wood shades (often called matchstick blinds) are a staple of the mid-century aesthetic. They introduce wood tones that bridge the gap between teak furniture and the outdoors.

However, from a pet-friendly design perspective, woven woods can be risky if you have cats. The texture is very appealing for scratching. In households with active pets, I steer clients toward tightly woven solar shades or smooth wood veneers that don’t offer a “claw-hold.”

Designer’s Note: The Inside Mount

Whenever possible, use an inside mount for blinds and shades in an MCM home. This means the blind fits inside the window casing.
Why: It preserves the architectural trim and clean lines.
Constraint: You need at least 2 to 3 inches of window depth. If your vintage windows are too shallow, you must do an outside mount, but ensure the valance is sleek and boxy, not decorative.

Solving the Difficult Windows: Clerestories and Corners

One of the defining features of MCM architecture is the clerestory window—those high, horizontal windows near the roofline. They are brilliant for bringing in light while maintaining privacy from neighbors.

The Rule: Do not cover clerestory windows.

Ideally, these windows remain bare. If glare is an issue (for example, if a television is opposite the window), use a specialized UV window film. Window film cuts the glare and heat without adding visual clutter to a window that is often difficult to reach.

The Corner Window Dilemma

Corner windows where the glass meets glass (mitered corners) are architectural gems. Hanging a curtain rod across the corner ruins the effect.

The Fix:

Option A: Ceiling tracks that curve around the corner. This requires custom bending but looks seamless.

Option B: Two separate roller shades that meet in the corner. Be aware there will be a small “light gap” of about 1/2 to 1 inch where the rolls meet.
Option C: Leave it bare if privacy allows. The landscaping outside should act as the privacy screen.

Pet-Friendly and Evidence-Based Material Selection

As someone with a background in evidence-based design, I look at how materials impact health and maintenance. In a home with pets, floor-to-ceiling drapery can collect dander, hair, and dust mites.

If you have a dog that sheds heavily or a cat with asthma, consider that fabric treatments act as air filters. This can be good if you clean them, but bad if you don’t.

Cleaning and Durability Protocols

High-Performance Fabrics:
Look for fabrics treated with Crypton or similar performance technologies. These resist stains and odors. If a dog lifts its leg on a curtain (it happens!), a performance fabric can be spot-cleaned effectively.

Cord Safety:
This is non-negotiable. Corded blinds are a strangulation hazard for cats and dogs (and children).
The Solution: Always specify cordless lift systems or motorized wands. Motorization is particularly useful in MCM homes because the windows are often large and heavy to operate manually.

A Note on Acoustics

MCM homes are notorious for being echo chambers. They are full of hard surfaces: terrazzo floors, glass walls, and stone fireplaces.
From an evidence-based perspective, high noise levels increase stress. Adding lined drapery—even if just stationary panels on the sides—can significantly dampen sound reverberation, making the home feel calmer and more intimate.

Finish & Styling Checklist

When you are ready to finalize your window treatment plan, run through this checklist to ensure every detail aligns with the Mid Century Modern aesthetic.

Color Palette

Neutrals: Oatmeal, Charcoal, Slate, Cream.
Accents: Olive Green, Mustard Yellow, Burnt Orange (use sparingly).
Metals: Matte Black, Brushed Brass, Brushed Nickel. Avoid shiny chrome or oil-rubbed bronze.

Hardware Details

Rod Diameter: Keep it slim. 1 inch to 1 1/8 inch is ideal. Anything over 2 inches looks too traditional.
Brackets: Ensure modern, cylinder brackets.
Rings: If using rings, use simple circle rings. No clips (clips look temporary).

Installation Measurements

Floor Clearance: 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch off the floor.

Ceiling Gap: If using a track, mount tight to the ceiling.
Panel Width: Ensure panels are 2 to 2.5 times the width of the window for proper fullness.

FAQs

Can I use shutters in a Mid Century Modern home?

I generally advise against standard plantation shutters. They tend to have wide louvers and bulky frames that clash with the thin, sleek lines of MCM window frames. However, if you must use them, choose a very narrow louver size and paint them to match the wall color exactly so they disappear visually.

What if I am renting and can’t drill into the ceiling?

If you are a renter, tension rods generally won’t work for wide MCM windows. Look for “no-drill” shade brackets that clip into the existing window frame mechanism, or use high-quality command-strip hooks for lightweight sheer panels on a very thin rod. However, floor-standing screens are a very period-appropriate alternative for privacy without installation.

How do I handle a sliding glass door that I use every day?

Function is key. Do not use a shade that takes 30 seconds to roll up. A traversing drapery (one that slides on a cord or wand) is the fastest way to access a door. Alternatively, vertical cellular shades offer a modern, insulating option that slides side-to-side rather than up-and-down.

Is motorization worth the cost?

For hard-to-reach clerestory windows, it is essential. For main living areas, it is a luxury that adds to the “futuristic” appeal that was so popular in the mid-century era. It also eliminates handling the fabric, which keeps oils from hands off the material, extending the life of the treatment.

Conclusion

Dressing the windows of a Mid Century Modern home requires a delicate balance of restraint and functionality. You are acting as a curator, ensuring that the lines of the architecture remain uninterrupted while creating a space that is comfortable for human (and animal) habitation.

By focusing on ceiling-mounted tracks, textured natural fabrics, and honoring the “stack back” rule, you can achieve a look that feels both authentic to the era and perfectly livable for today. Remember, the goal is not just to cover a window, but to frame the changing art of the outside world.