Choosing the Right Window Treatment

The fabric and colors you choose for your window decoration should match the mood and color theme of the room. Is your room formal, casual or romantic? Read on for how to match your curtains to the decor of your room.

• A traditional romantic look can be achieved with lots of soft, flowing fabric that ends up in a folded heap on the floor. Make curtains in luxuriant velvet or tapestry and add tassels and tie backs for a richer, more ornate look.
• Colorful cotton fabric draped across a simple cornice helps bring casual chic into any room. Keep the curtains short and simple to convey an informal, relaxed mood.
• Ivory or off-white curtains in rich, heavy fabric go well with any décor and give the room a touch of elegance and sophistication.

Consider the other items in your room like the furniture, upholstery and area rugs before choosing your curtains.

Besides the color scheme of the room and the decorating style of the room, some of the factors to take into consideration when deciding which window decorating option is best for you include:

Whether you are living in a ranch house surrounded by acres of private property or you are living in an apartment with a view of the street, you would want to have a certain amount of privacy that an unadorned window cannot give.

• Cellular Fabric Shades - Cellular fabric shades in non-sheer fabrics reduce the amount of light and glare that enters your room and offers much-needed privacy as well.
• Roller Shades - Roller Shades come in various versions, including vinyl and fabric, and can be used to cover the whole window. The Balloon and Roman fabric versions are lined and you can get them custom-made for to fit your window measurements exactly. They offer privacy as well as light control
• Draperies and Draw Curtains - They are perfect for covering the entire window and adding to the décor of the room. Heavy drapes cut off the glare and also offer privacy, whereas lighter fabrics and sheers would require a heavier backing that will block out the light and also provide the necessary privacy.
• Matchstick and Bamboo Blinds - Matchstick and bamboo blinds go well with tropical décor. They cut down on the glare and filter out the light but may need an extra backing if you are looking for total privacy and total light blockage at certain times. These can look great when teamed with bamboo area rugs.
• Shutters - Shutters that feature movable louvers offer great privacy control.
• Wood or Perforated metal blinds - Blinds can be tilted to provide privacy as well as light control.

Form and function are equally important when it comes to choosing the correct treatment for your windows. Not only does the window dressing have to match the decorating style of the room but it also has to offer you options for controlling the amount of light that enters the room; as well as adequate privacy protection from prying eyes.

With so many different window decorating options available today, you are sure to find one that meets all your needs. Making a few notes before you go out curtain shopping will stand you in good stead when you are in the show room, face to face with swathes of beautiful curtain fabric, each of which looks better than the other.