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Window treatments dramatically affect the overall finished look of any room. There are hundreds of choices, including curtains, shades, blinds, shutters and valances. How do you decide which ones will work for your decorating project?

 

The most important thing to consider when choosing window treatments is the function they need to perform. Window coverings can provide privacy, block light, heat, cold or noise, as well as protect your furniture from the harsh rays of the sun. Make sure the window treatments you choose will perform the function you need.

 

Window coverings help soften the hard, rectangular lines of windows and enhance the décor of your room. You can use them to create a focal point if your room doesn’t have an attractive architectural feature.

 

A room’s mood is determined by the colors, the style of furniture and accessories, and the lighting that is used in the space. The window treatments you choose should also complement the color and style of your décor.

 

For example, if your décor is contemporary, you wouldn’t choose country style café curtains for your room. You also wouldn’t use heavy velvet draperies in a casual breakfast room. 

 

When choosing design motifs for curtain fabrics, upholstery fabrics, wall paper and floor coverings, it’s best to use only one bold pattern in the room. Good choices for secondary prints would be smaller scale stripes, dots, checks and plaids that coordinate with your color scheme and style of décor. 

 

Another way to create harmony in your room is by repeating a color or pattern several times throughout the space. You can do this by using the same fabric from your window treatments in accent pillows for your sofa or chairs, or in a tablecloth on a side table.

 

Window coverings don’t have to be expensive. There are many creative options for no-sew curtains. A few other creative solutions are listed below:

 

♥ Drape a round tablecloth over a rod or drape a square tablecloth diagonally over a rod for a window topper.

 

♥ Hang fabric napkins or lace handkerchiefs diagonally over a rod to form a valance.

 

♥ Hang pretty kitchen towels or a vintage apron from a rod in your kitchen window using clip-on rings.

 

♥ Use a length of fabric to drape across the tops of your windows in the form of swags. Hem the ends with iron-on hemming tape if you don’t sew. Or cut the fabric long enough so that it puddles onto the floor and tuck under the ends.

 

♥ Add colorful trim (braid, beaded, fringe, etc.) to plain curtain panels, or stamp or stencil designs on them using acrylic paints.

 

♥ Hang baby clothes from a curtain rod in the nursery to create a cute valance.

 

♥ Hang a flat lace panel from a rod over a door window or side-light, using clip-on rings.

 

♥ Attach shelves inside a window to hold rows of colored glass bottles in a variety of shapes and sizes.

 

♥ Hang a silk or dried floral swag along the top of the window instead of a valance.

 

View photos of some of these ideas on The Crafty Cottage website.

 

Be sure to check out new ideas in books at your local fabric or craft store. There are also a wide variety of inexpensive, ready-made curtain panels, valances and window shades available at discount stores and home improvement stores.

 

The possibilities for window treatments are unlimited. They can, however, be a substantial financial investment, whether you are making them yourself, buying them ready-made or having them custom made. But you can avoid costly mistakes if you remember to consider the function you need them to perform, as well as the style of the room you’re decorating. 

 

Don’t forget to re-design your window treatments when you re-design your room. They can make a dramatic change in the overall finished look.

 

Get more decorating tips and creative designer tricks from

Ten Common Home Decorating Mistakes. (sold at left)

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