What the heck do I do with this window?

Window Treatments, Curtains and Draperies – Oh MY!

For some reason windows and what the heck to do with them is such a challenge for people.

And, they’re one of the top questions I get.

What should I put on these windows?

What kind of curtains do I need?

What’s the difference between draperies and curtains?

Where do I find curtains?

It doesn’t have to be that hard.

Let me try to answer your questions.

First of all, you don’t HAVE to have window treatments.

If light and privacy are not issues, then let the light shine in.

If you don’t need to soften up the room or control the noise, let the light shine in.

Otherwise, decide if you want shades or draperies or both.

Draperies are fabric that goes to the floor from your window. Curtains are those short little panels that stop at the window sill that your grandmother used to have in her kitchen. Please! Go with draperies or nothing.

There are 1000s of options for shades – roman shades, roller shades, grasscloth shades, etc.

Smith and Noble and The Shade Store are a few choices. Call me if you need help deciding.

For draperies there are so many places to find them. Country Curtains now has some great updated options, as well as their traditional. Also Pottery Barn and West Elm have some simple, textured choices. Even IKEA has some inexpensive draperies.

The BEST option is always custom. And it’s not as expensive as you think. Plus, I’ll come measure and help you choose the fabric and do the ordering, simple!

As far as draperies go there are a few tips when hanging.

1. The higher you hang your draperies, the larger your window is going to look. If you don’t feel comfortable going all the way to the ceiling then going halfway between the window trim and the ceiling is a good rule of thumb.
2. If you hang your window treatments on the top and past the sides of your window, more light is going to come in your room. Don’t hang the rod directly on the trim. Go out a few inches on each side so that the right side of the drapery is just at the inside window trim. That way when the draperies are open none of the fabric will be blocking the light.
3. If you don’t want to splurge on extra long draperies but want your window treatment to appear extra long, why not add cornice, or even a valance, hung on top of the draperies?
4. A custom valance from Details is ONE OF A KIND

It really isn’t so hard. Take a look at what’s out there. Window treatments can transform your room from blah to brilliant!

If you’re still stumped – CALL ME!

For more great decorating ideas join the conversation on my Facebook page. Link above

Or you can always contact me through the Contact Us page above.

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