by Christina Wright
Window treatments define your home decor as much as the furniture you choose. Windows establish the way you gaze out at the world around you, and curtains and other window treatments affect how you experience the room by establishing a mood. New 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. This buying guide will give you helpful ideas to create the window treatments you have always wanted in your home.
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.
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.
Curtain rods: Curtain rods are a time-honored tool for hanging curtains. 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.
Heavier fabrics with rich colors and textures, such as silk or velvet, give your windows a more formal look, while subtle colors and lightweight drapes give the room a relaxed, casual feeling.
Try layering your drapes to mix fabrics and textures; light colors underneath dark curtains have a striking appearance, while drapes over sheers had dimension to a window. For an unexpected look, hang drapes over blinds.
