Magic of Window Treatments

The functions of curtains have been improved. At the past they were used to sustain heat, control sunlight, block cold air and provide privacy. They still perform these functions, but now curtains are often much more decorative than functional, with the many developments in window glass and window design technology. Designers can be much more innovative in their window treatments with this change to the decorative application.

Some kind of window treatments is curtains and drapes. For much people, there is a difference between the terms of curtains and drapes. Draperies are usually very formal looking. They are generally bottom length, lined and suspended from a traverse rod with hooks that will enable them to be opened and closed by pulling a cord. Curtains are less formal. Curtains are normally those fabric window treatments that are suspended by hooks or rings from a rod and opened and closed by grasping the edge and pulling the fabric panel into position. They are frequently used together with shades, or blinds which can be closed to block sunlight or provide privacy. Often they are tied back to the window housing and are not opened or closed at all.

Types of Curtains

There are actually three basic types of curtains. These are the café, the panel and tiered. The Panel is simply plain panels of fabric that are hemmed at the bottom and at the top. They are giving the window a less formal look. The Panel is suspended from the top of the window by hooks or rings and hangs in natural folds. This type are usually used in dining rooms and bedrooms or maybe used in combination with blinds, shades or sheers.

Café curtains are usually hung from the middle of the window, making the top of the window uncovered or exposed. For giving the window much different appearance, sometimes the café styles will be hung one fourth or one third of the way down from the top of the window. No matter what, they are tied back. Café curtains are usually used in informal dining areas and kitchens.

The third type of curtains is the tiered. They are multiple panels with a couple of panels hanging over the top of the two base panels. Usually the base panels is cover the bottom half of the window and the outer panels cover the top half of the window and hang down to overlap the base panels.

There are three basic lengths also. The sill length is either hanging from either the halfway point or the top of the window. The base hem is not quite touching the windowsill. The below the sill style is cut so the bottom hem hangs just under the apron or trim board running across the base of the window. The floor length style is cut so the bottom hem is simply over the floor.

Depending upon the amount of natural light that is allow to the room, there are also be lined or unlined styles. In the same way, there are interlined styles, with a third layer sandwiched between the lining and the panel. It was designed to gives protection from cold air that is conducted from the outside to the inside through the glass, or air dripping through breaks in the windowsill or between the window frame and sash.

Tie back styles

Choosing the color and the fabric to used in a window treatments can be dramatically change the appearance. One of the most popular and attractive arrangement of the curtains is the tie back styles. Tie back selections offer designers incredible choice in creating unique and very beautiful windows.

The most popular tie back positions are the low tie, middle tie, high tie, the center tie, the crisscrossed tie and the angled double tie.

1. The low tie pulls the curtain back about three-fourths of the range from the top to the floor.

2. The middle tie pulls the panel back at a point close to the middle of the curtain. It looks best if it is not done at the exact center, but either slightly over or slightly under the center.

3. The high tie is when a couple of panels are hung in the window. The tie pulls the panel back above the center line of the window.

4. The center tie gathers a couple of curtains and pulls them together in the vertical center of the window, about two thirds or three fourths of the range from the top to the bottom.

5. The crisscrossed tie begins with two overlapping panels hanging the full width of the window. The outer panel is pulled back to one side and the inner curtain is pulled back to the reverse side.

6. The angled tie uses either one or two curtains. The panel is pulled partially back in the high tie position and pulled back more closely to the window housing in the bottom tie position. The panel is tied back twice in such a way that it is hung in a pleasing, billowing angle from one top corner of the window to a point under the reverse side of the window.

Formal and informal styles

All curtains styles can be categorized as either formal or informal styles. Curtains can be various as the individuals in whoever homes they hang. Besides all of the variety in colors, fabrics, lengths and methods if hanging.

Formal window treatments are usually called draperies and hang in layers. They are most often found in formal parlors or sitting rooms, living rooms and formal dining rooms. The window treatments are usually done in two or three layers. The first layer is the sheer, which is often a single panel of sheer linen or lace that admits diffused light into the room. The second layer is usually the pleated floor length drapes. The drapes are suspended from traverse curtain rods if they are intended to be opened and closed. Drapes are hung from above the window and cover the side casing and trim of the window as they fall toward the floor. The third layer is the curtain running across the window top and covers the top of the window casing, trim and the heading of the draperies.

Anything else is informal curtains, usually hung in a couple layers. They are rarely lined, and are used not to block light but only to diffuse light. Curtains are decorative, but have other uses as well, beside from providing privacy. They are useful in room darkening to protect room contents from the negative effects of the sun’s UV rays. Sunlight can reduce the colors in furniture and carpet fabrics. Lined curtains are especially good for protecting furniture and carpeting near windows facing.

There are many window treatments covering options to the home decorator. The variety of colors, fabrics and styles give people greater flexibility in decorating than ever before.

Selecting the Right Window Treatments for Your Home

Selecting the right window treatment is a few of bothering to go through magazines or doing an online search for window treatments, if you do not desire to use the services of an interior designer. It is very important to the look of your home to select the perfect window treatment.

Selecting the right window treatment does not always mean you have to broke yourself. If you are creative, you can make a curtain out of a lot of different material, a window treatment like a curtain does not have to be a frilly piece of fabric. You need to imagine the way you want your room to appear and then pick the fabric.

Need an imagination to have the room of your dreams. An ordinary bed sheet can changed into an incredible window dressing. You can search from the online store or visit your local curtains store and find cheap fabric curtains that would make excellent window curtains.

It is very important to understand that you need your room to be welcoming, not overwhelming. Selecting warm and subtle colors that pick up the color structure of your furniture will only improve the overall appearance of your room.

You may also need to consider a non-traditional curtain rod, if you want a different appearance for your room. There are various types to select from. There are so many options, that choosing might be difficult.

No matter if you want to hang drapes or sheers, swags or cotton, the most important is that you select carefully any window treatment you consider.