Where to Start with Window Treatments: Drapes and Curtains
Choosing window treatments can be one of the most daunting parts of the interior design process.
The first step is to decide between hard and soft window treatments. Examples of hard treatments include blinds, shades, and shutters, while drapes and curtains are considered soft treatments.
In this article, I’ll share my personal tips for choosing soft window treatments.
The terms “curtains” and “drapes” are often used interchangeably, but they have different definitions.
Curtains are usually unlined, opened and closed by hand, and can be run to any length. Drapes are lined, operated with a cord, and often run from the top of the window to the floor. They are almost always made of heavier fabrics than curtains and block more light.
Once you’ve chosen between curtains or drapes, the next step is to decide on colors, fabrics, length, and hardware. See if your local fabric store will let you take home a swatch. That way, you can test how the texture and color of the fabric will look in the light of your space.
For a formal, luxurious look, choose heavier fabrics, which are well suited for full-length drapes with pinched pleats. If you don’t need much privacy in a room, use sheer curtains to let in more light. Regardless of what material you use, your fabric colors should harmonize with the rest of the room. You never want your window treatments to distract from a beautiful view (or the room itself).
Some homeowners like to emphasize the height of their rooms by running drapes from ceiling to floor. Alternatively, you can create a “crisp” look by letting your curtains or drapes hang just above the floor.
Trends in curtains and drapes today include patterns, grommets, and vertical and horizontal banding. The latest trend in hardware is to use small finials and thin rods made of metal for a more understated look. Pinch pleats have always been a classic choice, but looser pleats and inverted box pleats are more popular for contemporary homes.
If you can’t find the exact colors and sizes you need at the fabric store, an interior designer can always help you make a custom order.
Although some rooms look best with bare windows, in most cases, window treatments are necessary to truly complete the room. Whether you want your window treatments to be charming or sophisticated, heavy or sheer, these tips will make you a much savvier shopper.
Margaret Chambers, a registered interior designer (RID) and American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) member, leads Chambers Interiors and Associates. Her colleague Caitlin Crowley helped edit this column. Visit chambersinteriors.com/blog for more design advice.
