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Your fabric window treatments create the setting and mood for your home
Learn how to create the mood you want with the right window treatment
Fabric window treatments can range from bright and sunny to warm and cozy. For tips and hints on creating just the right mood for your rooms, see the list below and find your favorite.
Light and Airy
The current demand for natural light has spawned a huge change in the window industry. Picture windows and sliding glass doors are no longer the only choices we have to bring light into our homes. Arched windows, sunbursts, skylights are all in large demand, along with floor to ceiling French doors and more styles of bay and bow windows than ever before.
Central heating and better window construction have made it possible to have larger windows and also freed us from the need to heavily drape our windows through the cold winter months. Air conditioning has also played a part in letting us leave our windows open to the sun and light.
For light and airy fabric window treatments, follow some of the ideas listed below:
- If you have beautiful window moldings and architectural details you hate to hide, don't. Leave the windows with a minimum of window treatment so you can enjoy these details
- Sheer fabrics always say "light and airy". Let the sun shine through the transparent fabric and allow plenty of natural light into the room
- Choosing fabrics from lighter or pastel colors will allow more light and give a feeling of spaciousness to your room
- Fabric window treatments should not have a heaviness to them. Less fabric, rather than more is the look you are aiming for. Fewer gathers, or even no gathers at all, will help give you the light, airy look you want
- Who among us can't picture the light, airiness of lace curtains blowing in the breeze?
Fabric Window Treatments for a Warm, Cozy Mood
Long before central heating and air-conditioning, windows were draped in heavy fabrics to conserve heat and keep in the coolness. Valances, swags, and heavy linings were all useful for cutting drafts while providing for warmth and comfort Even if the needs of today have changed, the warm and cozy atmosphere created by these fabric window treatments still has a large appeal. The intimate mood created by closing the drapes and lighting the fire still beckons to the nostalgic moods living in our souls.
- Choose luxurious fabrics to create the warm, cozy mood you want. Velvets, tapestries, jacquards and chenilles all create the feeling of warmth and welcome.
- Floor length, lushly gathered draperies that are fully lined will enhance the warm and cozy look and feel of your room.
- Choose rich, dark, velvety colors such as deep reds, royal purples, and golds.
- If you have older windows with large proportions, valances and swags will add additional details and prevent cold drafts from ruining the warm and cozy atmosphere.
Fabric Window Treatments for Romantic Moods
The romantic look is always a popular option. Soft and delicate, this is an essentially feminine look. Popular in bedrooms, it is also often found in period living rooms. Here are some ideas for creating fabric window treatments with a romantic bend:
- Fabrics in a romantic room should have graceful drapes and folds. An excess of fabric puddleing on the floor is a sign of a romantic window treatment
- Pastel colors are preferred. Pink is usually the most popular color choice. Large floral patterns are often used in romantic window decor. Cream and soft greens also go well with this mood.
- Soft ruffles, generous tiebacks, bows and beads are details that help carry the romantic mood
- Fabrics are also soft and feminine. Silks, lace, chintz and fine muslins are often used as fabric window treatments to create a romantic mood
Fabric Window Treatments for Today's Living Style
Today's lifestyle with two working parents does not allow much time for fussing over window treatments that must be dry-cleaned and that require high maintainance. Easy care, wash and wear, casual are words many families live by today. If this is your choice, follow the tips listed below:
- Avoid complicated looks. Valances, swags, layered curtains and draperies all add to upkeep and maintainance of window treatments
- Stay away from trims that need to be dry-cleaned or removed before machine washing curtains
- Select easy to launder and no iron fabrics
- Avoid linings as these often need to be dry-cleaned. Even if the don't need special cleaning, linings and curtains often shrink in different ways and create a problem when curtains are re-hung after drying
- Ungathered curtains are easier to hang and have a less formal easy-living look.
- The simpler, the better is the motto for draperies and curtains in today's living style
- As far as color, anything goes that you like and that enhances your decorating style, just make sure it's easy to care for
Whatever fabric window treatments you are thinking about, there is an abundance of information on the Internet or in home decorating books.
Look at your home furnishings, your lifestyle, and your decorating preferences.
If you haven't done so, fill out the Window Analysis worksheet and you will be well on your way to finding the perfect fabric window treatment to suit your decorating style and create the perfect mood for your room.
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