Window Treatment Tips

Curtains are a recent addition to a home. It was not until the second half of the seventh century that the French first began to exploit the decorative options of window coverings. Most windows were small, and curtains were simple affairs made of cotton or linen and pulled across the window as a light filter.  With the development of larger windows, curtains became more flamboyant.  Pairs of curtains, instead of a single curtain emerged, followed by a billowy drape beneath a valance. From the late eighteenth century through the early nineteenth centuries, asymmetrical draping became popular, followed by decorative hardware such as poles, rings, finials, and tiebacks that became ever more decorative and conspicuous. Today, your options for window treatments are endless and blinds, curtains, sheers have never been more exciting.  The latest trends can be clean and unfussy, relying on the latest combinations of colors and textures that elaborate on designs and fabrics.  The most important aspects of curtains are that they are well made, and attention to detail will give a window a perfect look.

Windows are designed to serve the three functions of allowing light, ventilation, and view in a room.  Beyond these functions, we also want a window treatment to be attractive. Curtains not only soften the architecture of a window, but they can add color, texture, pattern, and a sense of warmth to a plain room. They can serve to darken a room, act as an insulator, and significantly reduce noise.

The choice of fabrics and styles of window treatments is almost infinite and can be made to suite any type of window.  You can choose from ready-made lengths in 84 inches, 63 inches, or 95 inches. As a general rule, curtains should be floor length unless the window is small, in which blinds or another window treatment would be preferable.

Fabric also plays an important role in the way window treatments affect a room. For example, velvets and silk can evoke a sense of luxury. while other textures promote different moods. Wool offers a comfortable, cozy feel, while cotton and linen are more crisp and airy.  When choosing your fabric consider color,  pattern, and style.  The fabric that you choose is your personal choice. Once you have chosen your fabric, you need to think about color and pattern. You might want traditional florals, chintzes, or contemporary geometric or plaids.  Think about the how the curtain handles, or folds and creases. You need to be aware of how a curtain is also affected by light. Will it be opaque, dense reflective, or transparent? Make sure it feels right for its purpose in a room. When shopping, you might take one of each panel home and hang it up. See how it react to the view in both natural and artificial light. Pay attention on how it frames your window. Look at the size of pattern, and remember not to skimp on the quality. You want generous, full curtains. 

If you are dressing a single window, consider its size. Does the window look small compared to your furnishings or the room? Add fullness with gathered tieback or flowing curtains. If the scale matches other elements in a room, treat it simply with a shade or top treatment. Increase its visual size by mounting the curtain rod beyond the frame top and sides so that panels stack back over the walls. 

A series of identical windows or large sliding glass doors invites the light inside. Taking a look at your room's style may give you a clue as to which approach is best when decorating these windows. In a contemporary style, the geometric look of a bank of widows can be an asset.  Ask yourself if you want privacy, light control, or energy efficiency? Vertical blinds seem to be the most popular answer for a contemporary room. To get the full architectural impact, use a top treatment only. If you prefer a softer traditional look,  ready made curtains abound! Flowing to the floor, they can lend timeless elegance to traditional spaces. Top curtains with a lovely full valance will add height and formality to a window.

Bay and bow windows may demand separate but equal window treatments. There are many ways to treat bay windows. If you want a formal look, install framing draperies across the front of the window. For an airier look, add sheer panels that slide on cable wire. For a curving bow window consider hanging curtains on a flexible rod that sweeps around the bow. Then there is always the equal tailored look for lovely blinds or plantation shutters.

The solution  for outfitting french doors can be simple. Most Linen Locker customers prefer to divide the doors into two groups. For a look that won't interfere with the architecture, mount blinds or shades on each door. If your decorating styles calls for a softer touch consider lace or fabric panels.  

Tiebacks of a curtain have both practical and decorative features. They hold the curtains back to let more light in, and they can create a decorative look. Choosing tieback is simple. Busy curtains need minimal tiebacks, and simple curtains need oversized tiebacks. Both hard and soft tiebacks are available. Hard tiebacks were very popular in the past, and it is possible to find antique tiebacks. Also plenty of contemporary designs are available. These hard tiebacks are made from cast metal, wood, resin, and come in curved and U shaped designs. Soft tiebacks can be made from fabric or decorative cord and tassels.  Just make sure that it is heavy enough for the weight of your curtains.  Most of the ready made curtains by Croscill Home Fashions, Thomasville Window, and Veratex include fabric tiebacks that match the drapes. Consider bumping these window treatments up a notch by adding decorative hard tiebacks. They can add just the punch that a room needs.  

Blinds, shades and plantation shutters are extremely popular and a versatile form of window treatments. They are neat and clean and won't conflict with the style of the window, rather, they can actually enhance a room's architectural details. Shades are an economical alternative to curtains, since they are usually made from lined fabric. Shades and shutters are usually the best choice for kitchens and bathrooms where full length curtains are not practical. Blinds, shutters and shades can be made for any size of window and are particularly good for small windows.  The Linen Locker's personal preference is Hunter Douglas Blinds, Shutters, and Shades. They can be made to fit any size window. With a lifetime guarantee against yellowing and sagging, it is a truly an investment in your home and will increase your resale value.

Curtains have only recently assumed a decorative purpose. As more curtains styles began to appear, so did the desire for decoration. Combining window treatments offers you the opportunity to exploit contrast between fabric textures, colors, and transparency. It allows you to add something to a window that might already have blinds to create a totally new look while softening the edges. Combining curtains with shutters or blinds is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Curtains on each side of a window with blinds can can soften the austerity and correct the visual proportions  of a window.

The Linen Locker recommends ready made drapes, panels, and curtains. Our website provides elegant curtains by Croscill Home Fashions, Thomasville Window, Charles Curtain, Country Curtains and lace curtains by Heritage Lace.  There are so many options in ready made curtains, that it would be impractical to have custom made drapes.  If your are unsure about measuring for your blinds, shutters, or shades. We offer free measuring and installation for up to a 100 miles of our store.

Beautiful dressed windows will never go out of style. There are so many styles of window treatments to choose from that it is always advisable to book make a page when surfing the web, if you see the look you want.