Incorporating window treatment ideas can be a confusing task.  There are a myriad of things to consider and mistakes can be costly.  This is why so many people use professional decorators or designers to help them with their projects.  I hope to take a lot of the confusion out of selecting window coverings and help you to avoid the pitfalls that can occur. 

Even if you decide to hire a professional, knowing what goes into designing and creating window coverings as well as what options are available will help you to communicate effectively with your interior decorator.  Effective communication will ensure that you are happy with the end result for years to come.

The first step in developing your window treatment ideas is to determine the roll your treatments will play. 

• Do your rooms get allot of natural light? 

If so pick treatments that will control the light that enters the room.  Consider layered treatments that include lined draperies.   Shades are also a great way to control natural light in a room and can be incorporated into formal as well as informal settings.

• Not enough light?

Consider curtains made of light weight or sheer fabrics that do not require lining.  If a formal treatment is what you choose make sure your treatment covers a little of the window as possible.

• Poorly Proportioned Windows?

You can disguise short windows by hanging your window treatments well above the top of the window - as much as 6 inches or more.  This works particularly well with treatments that incorporate a valance.    Windows too narrow ? Simply hang drapes so that the inside edge of the drapes just cover the trim at the edge of the window.   Of course, this requires adequate wall space as the bulk of the draperies will hang in front of the wall.

• What is the style of your room?

Always strive to match your window treatments to the style of your room?  Is your room formal?  If so you can choose long draperies that hang to the floor and incorporate elaborate trims and sumptuous fabrics.   Short curtains that hang to the bottom of the window sill work well in informal settings.

• What is you budget?

Your budget will determine what style and fabrics your window treatment ideas will incorporate.  If you have allotted a large percentage of your decorating budget to window coverings you have an endless array of choices.  Your difficulty will be in narrowing down those choices - not a bad problem to have. 

If you are like most however, your budget may be somewhat limited.  But this does not mean you have to settle for something you do not love.  If you love expensive fabrics then go for it!  Just pick treatments that use the least amount of fabric.  Many valances can be made with as little as 1-2 yards of fabric.  Pairing more expensive fabrics with less expensive ones will stretch your budget and allow you to go with more elaborate window treatment ideas.

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