I Faked Massive Windows by Mounting Roman Shades Above Window

I spent three months staring at the windows in my primary bedroom, wondering why they looked so 'off.' They were classic builder-grade: short, squat, and with frames so shallow they couldn't even hold a standard mounting bracket. Every time I tried to find a smart blind solution, I hit a wall because my window depth was barely an inch. I wanted automation, but I didn't want a chunky motor housing protruding into the room like a tech-heavy eyesore.

That is when I decided to stop fighting the frame and start fighting the wall. By mounting roman shades above window trim rather than inside it, I managed to pull off a design heist. I didn't just hide the hardware; I tricked my brain into thinking my ceilings were two feet higher than they actually are.

Quick Takeaways

• Outside mounting creates an architectural illusion of height and scale.
• Mounting 'high and wide' eliminates the light gaps common with inside-mount shades.
• Wall mounting provides the necessary clearance for bulky smart motor battery wands.
• Always use heavy-duty toggle bolts if you cannot find a stud for motorized treatments.

The Squat Window Problem (And Why Inside Mounts Failed Me)

My initial plan was simple: buy some Roman Shades, pop them in the frame, and call it a day. But reality had other plans. Because my window casings were so shallow, the headrail of any motorized shade would have stuck out nearly two inches. It looked unfinished and cheap.

Beyond the depth issue, inside mounts highlight exactly where a window begins and ends. If you have small windows, an inside mount just puts a frame around your problem. I realized that by trying to keep everything 'neat' within the frame, I was making my bedroom feel cramped and dark.

Can Roman Shades Be Outside Mounted? (Spoiler: Yes)

A common question I get from friends is, 'can roman shades be outside mounted without looking like a hotel room from 1994?' The answer is a resounding yes, provided you do it with intention. When a roman shade mounted outside window frames is installed correctly, it acts as a valance. It covers the boring trim and allows the fabric to be the star of the show.

From a smart home perspective, this is a massive win. Inside mounts often suffer from 'light leakage' around the edges—that annoying sliver of 6 AM sun that hits you right in the eyes. By mounting the shade 2-3 inches wider than the window on each side, you create a total blackout seal that no inside mount can match.

The 'High and Wide' Math for Hanging Roman Shades Above Window

The secret to hanging roman shades above window casings is the 'stack.' When a roman shade is fully raised, the folded fabric (the stack) usually takes up 8 to 12 inches of vertical space. If you mount inside the frame, that stack blocks a huge chunk of your glass and kills your natural light.

I mounted my shades 6 inches above the top of the window trim. This ensures that when the shades are 'open,' the fabric sits almost entirely on the wall, leaving the glass completely unobstructed. When deciding between Curtains Or Roman Shades Choosing Your Smart Window Setup, remember that curtains take up horizontal space on the sides, while roman shades take up vertical space at the top. By going high, you get the best of both worlds: a clear view and a massive-looking window.

Hiding the Hardware: Why Smart Motors Love Outside Mounts

Motorized shades need room to breathe. Between the roller tube, the motor head, and the battery wand, there is a lot of gear to tuck away. I used the Silva Series Motorized Blackout Roman Shades for this project because they have enough 'heft' to look like custom drapery but enough tech to talk to my Zigbee hub.

Because I mounted these to the wall, I had the freedom to tuck the battery wand behind the headrail without it pressing against the glass. The motor noise is rated under 35dB, which is quieter than my white noise machine. I have them set to 'Good Morning' mode, where they rise to 100% at 7:30 AM, and because they are mounted so high, the sun floods the room instantly.

Can You Hang Roman Shades Above Window Without Hitting Studs?

This is the technical hurdle. Motorized shades are heavy. You’ve got the fabric, the motor, and the batteries all pulling down on those brackets. If you are hanging roman shades above window headers, you might find nothing but hollow drywall once you move past the immediate window trim.

I highly recommend ordering Weffort Fabric Sample Roman Shades first to get a feel for the material weight. If you cannot hit a stud, do not—I repeat, do not—use the cheap plastic anchors that come in the box. I use 3/16-inch Toggler Snaptoggles. They can hold about 100 lbs each in standard drywall, which is more than enough to handle the torque of a motor starting and stopping.

My Final Verdict After 6 Months of the 'Fake Tall' Illusion

Six months later, this is still the best 'hack' I’ve performed in my home. The room feels airier, the blackout performance is 10/10 for sleeping in on Saturdays, and the motors haven't skipped a beat. One small downside: because the shades are mounted higher, the manual pairing button on the motor head is a bit harder to reach. I had to use a step stool once when my hub went offline after a power surge, but that is a small price to pay for the aesthetic upgrade.

FAQ

How much wider than the window should a roman shade be?

For an outside mount, I recommend adding at least 2 inches of overlap on each side (4 inches total) to prevent light gaps and make the window appear wider.

Will mounting above the window damage the drywall?

Only if you use the wrong anchors. Use high-quality toggle bolts, and when you move, you'll just have a few small holes to patch and paint, which is standard for any window treatment.

Can you hang roman shades above window if there is crown molding?

Yes, but you need to leave at least 1-2 inches of 'breathing room' between the top of the shade and the bottom of the crown molding so the setup doesn't look cramped.