Window decorating defines the feel of your home as much as the furniture you choose. The presentation of your windows establishes the way the world is seen from inside your living space, and curtains and other window treatments affect how you experience the room by establishing a mood. New drapes and curtains allow you to have a fresh look in your home, control the amount of light in your rooms and have a measure of privacy. The Products101 buying guide will give you helpful ideas to create the window treatments you have always wanted in your home.
There are several types of curtains, and window drapes are typically defined by their heading. Some of the more common types are described in detail below. In addition to those listed below, there is the box pleated heading, which provides a formal look with the folds spanning the full length of the curtain panel; and eyelet headings, which are simple and more modern–eyelets or grommets are at the top of the curtain for the curtain rod to feed through–the rod is exposed, creating an industrial look.
How to Choose the Right Window Curtain for Your Home?
There are several decisions to make: functionally, what are your needs for the space – is it a bedroom and you want to use the curtains to block out light? Or is it a family room exposed to a lot of windows and you want the curtains to help keep heat in the space during winter months? Form wise – do you want to add a punch of color to an otherwise neutral space, or do you want the curtains to just “blend in?” Budget plays a role, too. You can find practical, everyday polyester curtain panels in the $25 – $50 range, or you can find heavier-weight fabric for $100. Typically, a window will require at least 2 panels, if not more. Make sure you measure your window correctly before going to buy your curtains–curtains that are too short or do not fully cover the width of the window when they are drawn will appear awkward.
Types of Curtains and Drapes:
Rod pocket: Rod-pocket or pole-pocket drapes are made with a casing at the top that slips over the curtain rod. Rings or drapery hooks are not needed. Sheers are often made with two rod pockets at the top. Slide the curtain rod through the lower pocket of the sheer; a soft, ruffled effect is created by the unused top pocket. Rod-pocket curtains hide most of the curtain rod.
Cased Heading: Cased heading curtain panels are similar to rod pocket because they have an opening sewn at the top (open on both ends) where the curtain rod can be fed through. The curtain is then gathered across the top. Interior decorators openly admit that it is time intensive to maintain the look of the gathers in a cased heading curtain after they are drawn; therefore this look might be better for a space where the curtains are most often kept open.
Pencil Pleated: Pencil pleated curtains are one of the most common looks, are very traditional and can provide an informal or formal feel, dependent on the curtain length and type of fabric. The pencil pleat is usually a triple folded header as pictured here.
Tab-Top: Tab-top window curtains are favorites for a casual appearance in a room. Tab-tops are made with flat loops spaced along the top edge of the curtains, and the rod is slipped through the tabs. They can easily be drawn open or closed without pull cords or other hardware.
Ring-Top: Ring-top drapery is hung on decorative rings that are attached to the drapes at intervals across the top. The rings allow your beautiful drapery rod to be fully seen. Like tab-top drapes, these do not need a pull cord to open and close.
Grommet-Top: Grommet curtains are relatively new on the scene. The curtain rod is passed through the large grommet rings at the top of the window curtain to create a broadly pleated look that is crisp and modern.
Thermal or blackout: Insulated thermal drapery offers protection against heat and cold. They also act as blackout curtains due to their extra lining. Except for that extra layer of insulating material, they are made like other drapery for a natural look. Plus, they save you money on energy costs. Thermal and blackout curtains are excellent choices if you want lots of privacy or need to block light so you can sleep better.
Sheer: Sheer curtains let the light into a room while maintaining the privacy that you want. Buy enough sheer curtains to equal twice the width of your window, which creates the standard fullness. For a more dramatic look, add one or even two more widths of curtains to each window. Hang sheers with standard rods or a decorative rod with brackets.
Window Scarves: Scarves can be draped over your sheers and other curtains to frame your window decoration. A window scarf is always a sure way to enhance your sheer curtains, whether the window scarf matches your curtains or is made of drapery material.
Valances: A valance offers a different look to your window treatment. A valance may be a window scarf that matches your drapery and is swagged across the top; it may also be constructed in a boxy design, which is mounted above the window to disguise the drapery rods. Valances can be used with or without matching drapes or curtains. They are often used just as accents across the top of a plain window opening. Most valances will require brackets for hanging; some need standard or decorative rods, like those used for the curtains.
Curtains and Drapes Hardware
Curtain Rods: Curtain rods are the long standing tradition for hanging curtains. If you looked at pictures throughout history, you would see the different curtains in palaces, buildings, and private residences, all hung by the curtain rod. Today’s beautiful and durable curtain rods telescope in a wide range of lengths to carry the window treatment of your choice. The spacers in curtain rod hardware extend outward from the wall for depth or to accommodate more than one curtain rod. Both rod-pocket and tab-top curtains can be difficult to pull open or closed on telescoping curtain rods. Remember that sheer curtains and ring-top curtains often allow the curtain rod to remain visible, so choose decorative rods to finish the window treatment.
Finials: Finials are the decorative ends of the curtain rod and they come in many styles and finishes. Choose from many finial shapes, such as scrolls, leaves, fleur-de-lis and decorated oval or round balls. Brushed silver, copper and poly-resin are common finishes. Finials are the finishing touch of your window treatment that everyone sees, so it’s good if they match or complement your other decor.
Curtain rings: Curtain rings are attractive and easily attached to your curtains or drapes. Curtain rings slide easily along the curtain rod without pulling a telescoping rod open, allowing you to open and close your drapes more easily.
Tiebacks: Tiebacks are the soft loops of fabric, cord, chain or other material that hold back drapes, allowing a bigger view outside and more natural light to enter the room.
How to Measure for Curtains
To ensure a clean look, you want to make sure you get the right size curtain for your window, which means being precise in your measurements. Using a steel measuring tape will be more accurate than cloth. It is usually recommended that you round down to the nearest quarter of an inch. Use a pad of paper and a pen to write down your measurements, carefully marking the width and the length.
When measuring the width of the window, you have a couple of options: wall to wall or one side of the window frame to the other. Cased heading and pencil pleated curtains that are gathered at the top should be 1 and ½ to 2 times the window width (this is a matter of preference.) Tab topped curtains lay flat and only have to be as wide as the window width.
You have about three measuring options for the length of a window panel: to the floor, to the sill, or to the bottom of the apron. To measure for the curtain length, measure from the pole down to the preferred length (i.e. sill or floor). To create a traditional or formal look, the curtains should be just to the floor; you also have the option of the curtains spilling onto the floor, which creates a more elegant look. A curtain to the sill or to the bottom of the apron (this is really a matter of preference) is a more informal look and is popular in children’s bedrooms and kitchens.
Price Ranges
Buying curtains can become costly, so you definitely want to have done your measurements and know what size and type of curtain you want before you go shopping. Remember you do have flexibility with pre-made curtains–curtains that are a bit too long can be adjusted simply by moving the curtain rod up and down, or if you’re handy with a needle and thread, a simple sewing job might do the trick.
In the $25 to $50 dollar range, you will start seeing window panels at around the $25 dollar range. The fabric is often 100% polyester and several sizes are available. For example, you can find 84 x 54 inch panels for just under $40 (http://www.plainandsimpledeals.com). Buy Cheap Window Treatments.
You have even more variety in the $50 to $100 dollar range. You will see more interesting fabrics, like a tailored chiffon panel for around $60 dollars. For right around $100, you will find heavier-weight fabrics, like the rayon and linen blend panels by makers such as Bradley.
If you’re on a budget, remember that most curtains come one panel per package, but if you’re in the $100 to $250 price range, you might find some dual panel packages or a set like the “window in a box” by Whole Home for just under $150. If your budget can afford it and keeping cold weather out is a requirement, check out the heavyweight 100% cotton, 7 ounce duck cloth Fireside Drapes with insulated foam back lining for just under $200.00.
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