Picture Perfect Windows – Drapery Tips from the Pros Part 2
Whether you prefer a more traditional and formal room or love a more carefree and casual design, there are thousands of drapery options to fit the bill. Your choice of color, fabric, hardware, length, pleat, trim, and other drapery enhancements will all come together for your perfect look. Read on below for some designer tips on how to dress your windows in perfect fashion. Follow these simple hacks and your windows will be the envy of your neighbors and house guests alike.
ROD LOCATION
First and foremost, think ahead as to where you want your drapery rod. Before deciding on your rod location, measure your drapes and ring clips (if using) to ensure you adhere the rod into the wall in the right position in order to achieve the look you desire. For a traditional design, place the drapery rod directly (about two inches) above the top of the window. For a more modern look, place the rod halfway between the ceiling and the top of the window. For an even more dramatic look and one that makes the room feel larger than it actually may be, place the rod closer to the ceiling. Your chosen rod location will then help you pick your drapery style and determine the proper length you will need.
DRAPERY LENGTH
Similarly to the thousands of choices you have in drapery fabric, the length of your drapes can vary widely depending on your personal style.
Floor Length – For a fresh and modern feel, use drapes that just “dust the floor”. This design style works best with both light weight fabrics like cotton, linen and silk and with heavier fabrics like velvet.
Puddling – For a more classic look, hang your drapes so they “puddle” on the floor. With this ball grown influenced design, choose more elegant fabrics like silk to achieve a flawless entrance on the floor. Note that lined or pleated fabrics will not work for this design style as the fabric will break uncharacteristically in areas where it touches the ground. When puddling, aim to have anywhere between 6-12 inches of extra fabric at the base.
Short Panels – While not as trendy as the first two options, your drapery does not necessarily have to reach the floor. As a more carefree and relaxed option, mid length or shorter curtains can appeal to a number of design styles and rooms. Reaching half way the length of the window or just slightly above or below the seal, shorter panels work well for children rooms, areas surrounding air vents and other areas that see lots of use. When choosing a shorter drapery option, it’s best to use airy fabrics like cotton or chiffon as these fabrics best match the cut style.
PANEL WIDTH
The width of your drapery is as equally important as the length. Measure you windows ahead of time to ensure that your window panels can cover the window when closed. In some cases, you may need two or more panels on each side of the window. Often store bought panels are 50” while custom designed drapes can be crafted to whatever width your window requires. To make your windows look bigger, don’t plan to cover them when open with fabric. Extend the rod 3″-6″ on either side so that when the drapes are open, the fabric is in front of the wall instead of covering your window. The extra space on each side will allow more natural light into your room when the panels are pushed to the side and will make a wall and room feel bigger than it actually may be.
DRAPERY COLOR, FABRIC AND PATTERN
Take into consideration all of the other colors in your room before choosing drapery colors and patterns. Tie the design into your upholstered pieces, pillows, rugs and lighting to create a balanced appearance. Be creative with your colors and choose a brighter, louder option for an otherwise muted and neutral colored room and choose a softer, calmer drapery hue or simple pattern for a room with bright designs.
DRAPERY ENHANCEMENTS
Whether you love a simple, classic and clean design of white drapes or a vibrant and elegant puddling curtain in a deep red, drapery enhancements can add that last little touch to a room to make it truly beautiful. Choose between varying trim options, tassels, buttons, tiebacks and banding to find your perfect final detail. View the collections from Casa Fiora and Robert Allen for inspiration – we are sure you will find something you love.
If you haven’t already done so, read last week’s blog for insights on how to choose the rod that works best for your chosen drapes. And for extra help, visit Casa Fiora, one of the leading ladies in window treatment design as they have a handy dandy window planner on their website to help you start your designing process. Still stumped after all that? Call us at 406-755-7373. We love tackling window projects and would love working with you in designing your window coverings.