Curtains for Large Windows in Your New Home: Choices, Moving-Day Red Flags, and How to Decide
Congratulations on the new place. One of the first decorating dilemmas homeowners face is the big, beautiful windows that sold you on the house — and the urgent need to cover them so you can sleep, keep heat in or out, and stop strangers from peering in. At the same time, moving day itself can throw curveballs. I’ve watched a familiar red flag pop up more times than I care to count: the moving crew asking for cash only. That moment can change everything about your schedule, delay installations, and force you to think twice about what you commit to before the truck arrives.
This guide compares the main approaches to dressing oversized windows, explains what really matters when you evaluate options, and folds in practical moving-day advice so you don’t end up with expensive, unusable solutions while you’re still sorting boxes.
What really matters when choosing window treatments for oversized openings
Before you fall in love with a fabric swatch or a slick remote-control demo, weigh the factors that will actually affect daily life. Here are the priorities I wish more people considered before the curtain store or the installer shows up.
Function first: Do you need light control, privacy, insulation, or sound reduction? Large windows magnify performance needs — thin sheers look great but do little to darken a room. Structural load: Long tracks and heavy drapery need strong mounting points. Drywall alone won’t cut it for a 12-foot rod carrying layered panels; you’ll need studs, anchors, or a designed header. Consider whether the walls are plaster, brick, or hollow metal framing. Timeline and coordination: Are you installing right away or living with temporary coverings for a season? Movers, electricians, and HVAC people all intersect with installation timing. Budget range and lifecycle cost: Custom drapes will cost more up front but last longer and perform better; motorized shades add ongoing costs for batteries or wiring. Think beyond the sticker to energy savings and installer guarantees. Safety and code: Long cords are hazards for kids and pets. Motorized or cordless options reduce risk. Also check local electrical codes if you’re routing power for motors. Moving-day reliability: If your movers start asking for cash only, pause scheduled installations. That’s a signal to delay deliveries or confirm third-party installers. A no-show moving crew can leave you without tools, ladders, or manpower essential to get curtains up.
Quick moving-day thought experiment
Imagine the movers arrive and demand cash only. You don’t have the money. They say they’ll come back tomorrow. You’ve already booked an installer for the next morning to fit heavy curtain tracks. Do you: A) pay a questionable crew to avoid delaying the installer, B) reschedule the installer and live with temporary sheets, or C) find a local handyperson at the last minute? Each choice has real costs — financial, time, and stress. That scenario helps you prioritize flexible, temporary window treatments while you sort the moving logistics.
The classic route: Custom drapes and professional installation
Custom drapery is the standard recommendation for oversized windows for a reason: fit, finish, and performance. Fabrication can be tailored for light blocking, thermal lining, acoustic lining, and any length you need. Installers can mount a continuous track or custom header that looks seamless across wide spans.
Pros
Precision fit: no weird gaps, smooth stacking, and professional hems. Performance options: blackout liners, thermal backing, and sound absorption fabric choices. Durability: high-quality hardware and stitching last longer under daily use. Elevated aesthetics: custom pleats and measured returns make a room feel finished.
Cons
Higher upfront cost: expect to pay significantly more than ready-made solutions, especially for wide widths and long drops. Lead time: custom work can take weeks, which is awkward if you just moved in and need privacy now. Dependency on installers: if your moving company or electrical contractor flops, you might have to reschedule; that can push your whole decorating timeline back.
Advanced technique: for very wide expanses, ask for a multi-track system with a floating center support that attaches to a reinforced header. This prevents sag over time. Also consider a split return so panels stack neatly without blocking the glass when opened.
On the moving-day front, if you plan custom work, do not schedule the installer for the same day the moving truck arrives. Give yourself at least 48-72 hours of buffer. If the movers ask for cash only, reschedule the installer immediately. The last thing you want is an installer who shows up expecting a clean wall ready for work and instead finds stack of boxes and no reliable access to hardware.
Modern alternatives: Panel tracks, motorized shades, and modular systems
Newer options answer some of the pain points of custom drapery: faster install, smarter controls, and often better suitability for very large glass areas. These systems are worth considering if you like tech, need cordless safety, or want quick coverage.
Panel track systems

Work well for sliding doors and tall windows. They stack side-to-side on a track and can cover large widths without heavy curtains. Modular panels mean you can replace one damaged panel rather than redoing everything.
Motorized shades

Offer remote control, timers, and smart-home integration. Great for hard-to-reach places and for consistent daily light control. Options include battery-powered and hardwired. Batteries are easy but require maintenance; hardwired gives seamless power but needs an electrician, which may be tricky amid moving-day chaos.
Hybrid systems
Combine fixed blinds with floating fabric panels for both insulation and style. Motorized drape tracks are increasingly common for very large spans and provide quiet, staged opening.
Pros
Fast installation in many cases, especially modular panel tracks. Safe operation for homes with children. Smart features can automate energy savings and privacy.
Cons
Higher complexity: electronics fail, batteries die, and warranty work may require specialists. Integration needs planning: if the movers disrupt the power or the electrician is late, your motors may sit idle.
Advanced technique: choose motors that support manual override so you’re not stuck when the smart system needs attention. Also plan dedicated power runs during a construction window, not while boxes are still everywhere.
Budget and interim solutions: Ready-made, DIY, and temporary setups
Sometimes you just need privacy and a measure of insulation for a few weeks or months while you sort out permanent installations. These options are faster and cheaper, though less polished.
Ready-made extra-long panels: Some brands make panels up to 108 inches long and in wide widths. They won’t fit seamless spans but can be butted together. Sheet and curtain rod combo: A heavy bed sheet or blackout liner clipped to a basic rod is clumsy but effective. Use multiple rods to spread the load for wide windows. Temporary tension rods: Good for inset windows where you can stretch a rod without drilling. Not suitable for very heavy fabric. Command hooks and fabric: Adhesive hooks with fabric panels are a good renter-friendly stopgap. Window film: Frosted film provides privacy without fabric and can be applied quickly, though it doesn’t insulate much.
Pros
Immediate, low-cost coverage so you can sleep and feel secure after moving day. Flexible: easy to remove or swap as plans evolve.
Cons
Often unsightly and underperforming on insulation and acoustic needs. May need replacement soon, leading to higher total cost if used as a long-term solution.
Moving-day note: if you suspect a realtytimes.com shady moving crew, buy temporary coverings first and wait to invest in permanent installations until you have reliable assistance and clear access. That hedge prevents wasted installation fees if you need to reschedule because the movers didn’t show up or left damage behind.
How to decide: matching your lifestyle, timeline, and moving-day realities
Practical decisions frame good design. Here’s a decision path that I recommend, based on what tends to go wrong during real moves.
Assess immediate needs: If privacy or light control is urgent, choose a temporary solution that’s robust enough for weeks. Don’t let excitement about custom work blind you to the fact you might not have the space or time to install it right away. Check the walls and mounting: Know where the studs or headers are. If you can’t find them, budget for a header or reinforcement. This prevents sag and reduces long-term repair work. Coordinate schedules and build buffer time: Book install after moving day with a 3-5 day buffer. If you have multiple trades (electrician for motors, carpenter for headers), cluster them intentionally so one delay doesn’t cascade. Vet your movers: If a moving company asks for cash only, take it as a red flag and either pay via secure methods, request written proof of insurance and credentials, or hire a different company. Do not let a sketchy crew push you into paying cash to avoid a reschedule you can’t afford emotionally or logistically. Decide based on use-case: If the windows are focal and daily-used, invest in custom or motorized systems for durability and comfort. If the room is guest-facing or infrequently used, a well-chosen ready-made or panel track might be a better value. Plan for safety and maintenance: Choose cordless or motorized options if small children or pets are present. Ask about service agreements for motors and confirm how replacement panels or parts are handled.
Final thought experiment
Picture two versions of your first month after moving in. In the first, you booked custom drapes for the day after the move, the movers demanded cash and left early, and the installer arrived to a mess. The result: reschedule fees, flustered family, and a stack of boxes sitting under trunks of fabric. In the second, you put up heavy temporary panels on day one, booked the custom install a week out, and used the breathing room to verify movers and coordinate the electrician. Which week sounds calmer?
If you’re like most people I’ve helped, that extra breathing room prevents the small disaster from becoming a costly one. Don’t let a moving-day red flag force you into a hurried decision. Temporary solutions are not failure — they’re smart risk management.
Quick comparison table
Option Speed Cost Performance Best for Custom drapes + professional install Slow (weeks) High Excellent (insulation, sound, privacy) Main living areas, long-term owners Motorized shades / panel tracks Moderate (days-weeks) Medium-high Very good, cordless & smart Hard-to-reach, tech-friendly households Ready-made / modular panels Fast (same-day) Low-medium Good for light control, limited insulation Temporary solution, rentals Temporary sheets / film Immediate Low Poor to fair Emergency privacy after moving day
Putting a final stamp on this: anticipate moving-day surprises, especially when hiring crews. A moving company that insists on cash only is not just annoying; it’s a signal to slow down. Delay major installations until you can confirm reliable trades and an unobstructed workspace. Meanwhile, choose a temporary but effective solution so you can sleep, live, and think straight. Then pick the permanent option that matches how you actually live in the space — not the one that looks the best in a showroom while your boxes are still unpacked.
If you want, tell me the window sizes, whether you have kids or pets, and how soon you want something permanent. I’ll sketch a concrete plan: temporary setup, recommended permanent options, and a simple installer checklist that avoids common moving-day traps.