Window treatments in 1920s Craftsman homes reflected the movement’s core principles: simplicity, functionality, and respect for natural materials. Unlike the heavy Victorian draperies that preceded them or the minimalist treatments that followed, Craftsman-era curtains struck a perfect balance—providing privacy and light control while celebrating the beauty of handcrafted textiles and honest design.
The Philosophy Behind Craftsman Window Treatments
The Arts and Crafts movement rejected the excessive ornamentation of the Victorian era. Gustav Stickley, the movement’s leading voice, advocated for “simplicity, individuality, and dignity of effect” in all home furnishings. This philosophy extended to window treatments, which were designed to frame views of nature rather than compete with them.
In a typical 1920s Craftsman home, windows were architectural features in their own right, often featuring multi-pane designs, built-in window seats, and substantial wood trim. Curtains were meant to enhance these features, not obscure them.
Common 1920s Craftsman Curtain Styles
Simple Sheers with Ring Tops
The most common window treatment in Craftsman homes was sheer cotton or linen curtains hung from brass or wrought iron rods using simple rings. These curtains:
- Hung just above the windowsill (not to the floor)
- Featured minimal bottom hems (about 2-2½ inches)
- Used plain brass rings sewn onto the back of the fabric
- Could be easily drawn aside to frame the window
- Allowed natural light to filter through while providing privacy
This style appeared in bedrooms, dining rooms, and living areas throughout the home. The simplicity of construction meant many homeowners made their own curtains, a practice encouraged by the movement’s emphasis on handcraft.
Café Curtains
Kitchen and breakfast nook windows often featured café curtains covering only the lower half or two-thirds of the window. These practical treatments:
- Provided privacy while maintaining upper window visibility
- Hung from simple brass rods mounted mid-window
- Used heavier cotton or linen fabrics than full-length sheers
- Sometimes featured geometric borders or simple embroidery
- Could be easily removed for washing
Café curtains were particularly practical in kitchens, where they could be laundered frequently without requiring a major undertaking.
Panel Curtains with Arts and Crafts Motifs
More formal rooms sometimes featured heavier panel curtains made from:
- Natural linen in natural, cream, or earthy tones
- Cotton canvas with stenciled or embroidered designs
- Burlap or other textured natural fibers
These panels often incorporated stylized nature motifs: geometric flowers, prairie grass patterns, or simple tree designs inspired by Arts and Crafts principles. The famous Mackintosh rose pattern, featuring elongated stylized roses, appeared frequently in Craftsman textiles.
Authentic 1920s Curtain Fabrics
Natural Linens
Linen was the premier curtain fabric in Craftsman homes. Its natural texture, subtle irregularities, and the way it filtered light made it ideal for the movement’s aesthetic. Period-appropriate linens included:
- Unbleached Natural Linen: Slightly nubby texture in cream or beige tones
- Belgian Linen: Finer weave with a subtle sheen
- Linen Voile: Lightweight, semi-transparent linen for sheers
Linen’s tendency to wrinkle was not seen as a flaw but as evidence of natural fiber’s authenticity—a stark contrast to the perfectly pressed, synthetic fabrics that would dominate later decades.
Cotton Fabrics
Cotton was more affordable than linen and appeared throughout Craftsman homes:
- Muslin: Lightweight plain-weave cotton for simple sheers
- Canvas: Heavier cotton for panels and café curtains
- Cotton Duck: Durable fabric perfect for high-traffic areas
- Handwoven Cotton: Textured cottons showing visible weave patterns
Specialty Fabrics
Some Craftsman homes featured more exotic textiles:
- Burlap: Rough jute fabric for rustic or cabin-style interiors
- Hemp: Durable natural fiber with distinctive texture
- Silk: Rarely used except in the most elaborate homes, usually in natural or earth tones
Period-Appropriate Colors and Patterns
Authentic Craftsman Color Palette
Curtain colors in 1920s homes reflected the Arts and Crafts color palette:
- Natural Tones: Cream, beige, tan, and natural linen colors were most common
- Earthy Greens: Olive, sage, moss, and forest greens
- Rich Browns: Chocolate, tobacco, and burnt umber
- Muted Golds: Mustard, ochre, and golden yellows
- Deep Reds: Burgundy, brick red, and rust (less common but period-appropriate)
White curtains were relatively rare in Craftsman interiors, as they were associated with Victorian excess. When white fabrics were used, they were typically unbleached natural fibers with subtle cream or ivory tones.
Patterns and Decorative Elements
When patterns appeared on Craftsman curtains, they were:
- Geometric Designs: Simple squares, rectangles, or linear patterns
- Stylized Natural Motifs: Abstract flowers, leaves, or trees
- Border Treatments: Decorative bands at hems or leading edges
- Stenciled Designs: Hand-applied patterns using nature-inspired templates
Busy floral patterns, chintz, and ornate designs were explicitly avoided as they contradicted the movement’s principles of simplicity and restraint.
Hardware: Curtain Rods and Rings
Curtain Rods
The hardware supporting curtains was as important as the fabric itself:
- Brass Rods: Simple round brass rods (½” to 1″ diameter) were most common
- Wrought Iron: Hand-forged iron rods in darker finishes
- Wood Poles: Oak or other hardwood poles with simple finials
- Copper Rods: Less common but appropriate, especially in kitchens
Rod finials were simple and functional—balls, spears, or acorn shapes rather than elaborate scrollwork.
Rings and Clips
Curtain rings evolved during the 1920s:
- Before 1925: Plain brass rings sewn directly to curtain backs
- After 1925: Colorful iron brackets and clip-style rings (influenced by automobile manufacturers entering the hardware market)
- Hooks: Simple drapery hooks sewn into header tape
For the most authentic pre-1925 look, choose brass rings without decorative elements.
Window-Specific Treatments
Kitchen Windows
Kitchens demanded practical, washable treatments:
- Café curtains in white, cream, or checked patterns
- Simple valances over exposed upper windows
- Natural cotton or linen that could withstand frequent washing
- No treatments at all on windows above sinks (common in period homes)
Many Craftsman kitchens featured built-in plate racks or glass-front cabinets above sinks, making curtains unnecessary.
Living and Dining Room Windows
Formal spaces received more substantial treatments:
- Full-length panels in natural linen or heavier cotton
- Layered treatments: sheers behind heavier panels
- Coordinating valances in matching or complementary fabrics
- Decorative tiebacks in braided rope or fabric
Bedroom Windows
Bedrooms balanced privacy with the Craftsman love of natural light:
- Lightweight sheers for daytime privacy
- Heavier lined panels for nighttime darkness
- Simple roller shades in natural materials (bamboo, wood slats)
- Minimal decoration focused on function
Bathroom Windows
Bathroom windows required privacy without sacrificing light:
- Textured or frosted glass (often original to the home)
- Short café curtains on tension rods
- Bamboo or matchstick blinds
- Moisture-resistant fabrics like cotton canvas
Making Your Own Craftsman-Style Curtains
The Arts and Crafts movement celebrated handmade goods, and many homeowners created their own window treatments. Here’s how to make authentic period curtains:
Materials Needed
- Natural linen or cotton fabric (calculate 1.5x window width for proper fullness)
- Matching thread
- Brass or iron curtain rings (one per 4-6 inches of curtain width)
- Brass or wood curtain rod
- Basic sewing supplies
Construction Steps
- Cut Fabric: Cut fabric to finished length plus 5 inches (for hems)
- Side Hems: Fold and press ½” double-fold hems on both sides
- Bottom Hem: Create a 2-2½” double-fold hem at the bottom
- Top Hem: Make a 1-2″ hem at the top for strength
- Attach Rings: Hand-sew brass rings to the back of the curtain, spacing them 4-6 inches apart
- Optional Decoration: Add stenciled designs or simple embroidered borders
This construction method produces curtains identical to those found in original 1920s homes.
Modern Alternatives for Period Look
If making curtains isn’t feasible, several modern options maintain the Craftsman aesthetic:
Ready-Made Options
- Restoration Hardware: Belgian linen panels in natural tones
- Pottery Barn: Simple linen curtains with minimal styling
- Ikea: Natural linen panels at affordable prices (Aina and Vilborg lines)
- Target: Cotton canvas panels work well for café curtains
What to Avoid
Modern curtain styles that conflict with Craftsman aesthetics:
- Grommet-top curtains (too contemporary)
- Pinch-pleat or goblet-pleat headers (too formal/Victorian)
- Synthetic fabrics (polyester, nylon, or blends)
- Bright white or pure white fabrics
- Busy patterns, florals, or modern geometric prints
- Decorative trim, fringe, or tassels
Layering Window Treatments
Authentic Craftsman homes often layered multiple treatments:
Three-Layer System
- Interior Layer: Lightweight sheers for daytime privacy and light diffusion
- Middle Layer: Heavier panels in coordinating natural fabrics for evening privacy
- Outer Layer: Optional valance or cornice in wood or fabric
This layered approach provided flexibility while maintaining the clean lines valued in Craftsman design.
Coordinating with Other Design Elements
Window treatments should coordinate with other room elements:
- Wood Trim: Curtain colors should complement (not match) wood tones
- Wall Colors: Choose curtains one or two shades lighter or darker than walls
- Upholstery: Repeat curtain fabrics in throw pillows or upholstery accents
- Lighting: Coordinate hardware finishes with light fixture finishes
Maintaining Natural Fiber Curtains
Natural fabrics require different care than synthetic materials:
Washing
- Wash linen and cotton curtains in cool water on gentle cycle
- Remove promptly to prevent excessive wrinkling
- Hang while slightly damp to ease ironing
- Expect some shrinkage (3-5%) after first wash
Drying and Pressing
- Line-dry when possible to preserve fabric integrity
- Iron while damp using high heat for linen, medium for cotton
- Accept some wrinkling as part of natural fiber’s character
- Press on wrong side to avoid shine on right side
Storage
- Store clean curtains in breathable cotton bags
- Avoid plastic bags which trap moisture
- Fold carefully to minimize creasing
- Add cedar blocks to deter moths (avoid mothballs which damage natural fibers)
Seasonal Adjustments
Craftsman homeowners often changed curtains seasonally:
- Summer: Lightweight sheers alone for maximum light and airflow
- Winter: Heavier lined panels for insulation and warmth
- Spring/Fall: Medium-weight unlined panels
This practice wasn’t merely decorative—it served practical purposes in homes without modern HVAC systems.
Combining Curtains with Other Window Treatments
Roller Shades
Natural bamboo or wooden roller shades appeared in many Craftsman homes, often paired with curtains:
- Bamboo in natural or dark-stained finishes
- Matchstick blinds with natural fiber weaving
- Wooden slat blinds (Roman shade style)
Stained Glass
Windows featuring stained glass or art glass panels typically required no curtains, as the glass itself provided both beauty and privacy. If curtains were used with art glass, they were pulled fully aside during the day to display the glass.
Finding Vintage Curtain Hardware
Authentic vintage hardware adds significant character:
- Antique Stores: Look for solid brass rods and rings from the 1920s-1940s
- Architectural Salvage: Period hardware often available at reasonable prices
- Online Auctions: eBay and Etsy feature vintage curtain hardware
- Reproduction Hardware: Companies like House of Antique Hardware offer period-accurate reproductions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When recreating 1920s curtain style, avoid these errors:
- Hanging curtains too long (pooling on the floor is not period-appropriate)
- Using overly ornate hardware or elaborate finials
- Choosing synthetic fabrics for convenience
- Mixing Victorian and Craftsman elements
- Over-decorating—Craftsman style values restraint
- Ignoring the window’s architectural features
Period Resources and Patterns
For those interested in historically accurate reproduction:
- Gustav Stickley’s “Craftsman Homes” (1909): Original source material showing period window treatments
- The Craftsman Magazine Archives: Period publications with authentic design advice
- Arts and Crafts Society: Modern organization preserving period design knowledge
- Bungalow Heaven: Community resources focused on Craftsman home preservation
Completing Your Craftsman Interior
Window treatments are just one element of an authentic Craftsman interior. For a cohesive design:
- Choose appropriate Arts and Crafts lighting
- Use an authentic period color palette
- Select simple, functional furniture with visible joinery
- Display handcrafted objects: pottery, textiles, and metalwork
- Emphasize natural materials throughout the home
The right window treatments frame your views, control light, and provide privacy while honoring the principles that made Craftsman homes timeless: simplicity, quality materials, and honest construction. Whether you’re restoring an original 1920s home or bringing Craftsman character to a modern space, authentic window treatments complete the vision.
Creating an authentic period kitchen? Don’t miss our guide to 1920s Craftsman kitchen design.
