Picture Perfect Windows – Drapery Tips from the Pros Part 1
Most often a designer will say that a room is not finished until the windows are treated – meaning they have curtains or draperies of some sort. However, for even the most experienced and savvy designers (and talented self proclaimed stylists out there), draperies can be the most difficult piece of a room to layout. They are just hard. The process alone comes with what seems like hundreds of questions. Floor length? How high above the window? How many panels? And the list goes on and on.
But with some help the options won’t seem so daunting. Read on for some tricks of the trade and designer insight to help you navigate your own window treatments. We hope that after you do, you trust yourself just a little more and finally dress those windows with confidence.
CURTAIN RODS – The Starting Point
Rod Pocket – The most traditional option, the rod pocket is just that, a sewn in pocket to the back of the drapes that easily slips over the rod to completely conceal it.
Pros: casual in style, commonly found, less expensive option
Cons: not easy to adjust and can snag when opening and shutting the drapes often
Hidden Tabs – With this design option, flat loops (tabs) are sewn into the back of the drapes that you thread over the rod pocket to conceal it. Although similar to the rod pocket option above, the hidden tab method allows the curtain to hang slighting in front of the rod making it seem more pleated and orderly.
Pros: casual in style but more refined than the rod pocket option, commonly found, less expensive, gives a tailored appearance
Cons: not easy to adjust and can snag when opening and shutting the drapes often
Tie Tops – Dubbed as the romantic option, tie top curtains are ones where the fabric itself is tied together in bows that hang directly on the curtain rod.
Pros: casual yet can be chic in style, less expensive, easy to DIY
Cons: not common, not easy to adjust and can snag when opening and shutting the drapes often
Ring Clips – Commonly used, ring clips are clasps that hook on to the top edge of the drapery panel and then slide over the rod itself exposing the whole curtain rod. A great way to add length to your curtains, ring clips allow for an extra 1-2 inches as the panels themselves actually rest a couple inches below the rod.
Pros: can be used with any type of curtain panel (even if pockets are sew in to it), easy to adhere to the curtains, makes opening and shutting the curtains easy as the rings are on the rod itself
Cons: additional expense for the ring clips, exposed rod (if you don’t like the look of it), some fabric such as velvet may be too heavy for this option
Hanging Pins – As one of the more traditional and elegant options, small “s” shaped pins are sewn into the back of the panel to create a hook that can be clipped onto standard ring clips. Those clips then are slid over the rod allowing for just the tops of the rings to show but the rod to be completely concealed.
Pros: offers a timeless and tailored look, makes opening and shutting the curtains easy, one of the best options for heavy weighted panels, easy to create a faux pleat
Cons: additional expense
Traverse Rod – As the most expensive option, traverse rods are not commonly found in homes; rather in hotel rooms and corporate offices. A traverse rod makes it simple to move your panels over your window by simply pulling on a cord that closes and opens the drapery without you actually having to touch the curtains. This system works the best with pleated paneled designs as a specialized pin is sewn into the back of the panel. That pin is then adhered to the ring on the traverse rod allowing it to be drawn open and closed by way of the drapery cord.
Pros: offers a timeless and tailored look, makes opening and shutting the curtains easy, one of the best options for heavy weighted panels
Cons: additional expense for the rod and the specialized pins sewn in the back of the panel
Read next week’s blog for Part 2 for more professional insight on how to properly install and choose your window coverings.