10 Tips For A Window
Coverings Makeover
by Rob Carlton
You cannot stand it. The same old dreary windows that do little to add life to
your home. It is time for a change. But, where do you start? How do you keep
from making an expensive or embarrassing mistake? In fact, how can you know what
you really want?
1. Start with one room at a time. There may be the temptation, especially
when moving into a new home, to decorate all of the rooms at once. This takes
far too much energy and can sap your creative juices, leaving the decorating
flat and less interesting. It can also make decorating your home an overwhelming
task. Go slow. Do one room at a time and then move on to the next one.
2. Assess, review your needs. With pen and paper in hand, jot down some
notes about all of the windows in the room. Measure them and note their size and
shape. Rough sketches will help. Are the windows too large? Too small? Odd
sizes? Mismatched sizes? Is there too much light in the room? Not enough light?
Do you want to block an unattractive view? Do you want to enjoy the beautiful
view? Do you need privacy? Daytime privacy? Nighttime privacy? Or both? Do you
want to liven up a dreary room? How do other family members feel about these
needs? What is your budget for the windows?
3. Look for help, tips and ideas. Seek inspiration. One thing is for
certain, no matter what the challenge or situation that you are facing with your
windows, someone else has already dealt with the same situation. There is a way,
or many ways, to attractively treat the windows in your room. You can find
examples of how others have decorated their windows in magazines, window
decorating books, window decorating websites and by talking with friends and
relatives.
4. Make a plan. Using your list of needs, rank the needs in order of
importance and then make a plan that addresses your needs in that order. There
is a way to treat issue.
5. Address your window coverings in stages. This is especially if you are
uncertain about your preferences or if you are working on a budget. Begin with
the shades, blinds or shutters. Once these are selected and installed, move to
draperies or curtains, including the traverse or curtain rod. Finally, add the
finishing touches such as cornices, decorative tie backs and finishing hardware.
6. Combine and contrast colors. Using color in your window treatment is an
excellent way to put life and energy as well as set the tone and mood of a room.
Experiment with mixing colors from opposite ends of the color spectrum.
7. Mix fabrics for texture. Fabric is composed of either natural or
synthetic fibers and how they are woven, knitted or felted together. The type
fiber and the weave or knitting will determine the texture of the material or
fabric. Mixing fabrics and textures can be an excellent way to create interest
and set the tone of your window treatments. For example, you may consider using
velvet over organdy or silk over linen. Common fabrics for window treatments
include brocade, cambric, canvas, chintz, cotton duck, crewel, damask, gingham,
lace, linen, muslin, organdy, satin, silk, taffeta and velvet.
8. Mix patterns. Mixing patterns can also liven up and set the mood for a
room. Here are some tips for mixing patterns.
a. Match the scale, of the pattern to the area where it is going to be used. For
example, use larger patterns on the drapes or curtains, medium patterns on
valances or cornices and small patterns on accent pieces.
b. Use geometric patterns with one another. For example, you can use stripes
with checks, plaids or dots. c. Common colors in mixed patterns tie the two
together. For example, blue stripes mixed with matching blue dots will tie the
two patterns together.
9. Make small windows big. Make big windows smaller. One of your goals
should be to make the room harmonious. Mismatched windows or windows of
dissimilar size and shape can disrupt this harmony. You can make small windows
appear larger by placing a heading such as a valance or cornice on the wall
above the window and using curtains or drapes of similar length. Large windows
can be treated with a series of blinds or drapes breaking up the expanse. Large
cathedral windows can be treated by installing a curtain or traverse rod on the
lower part of the window and leaving the upper portion untreated.
10. Let your window coverings evolve. Like a garden, the interior
decoration of your home, including window treatments will be subject to change.
Let your windows evolve as the interior of your home changes to reflect changes
in your lifestyle or tastes. The first order for your windows is to provide
privacy and light control. This will be accomplished with shades, blinds,
miniblinds or shutters. Then you can begin creating mood with decorative
treatments of color, design and texture. As you gain confidence and experience
with decorating, you can change and expand your window treatments.
If you are tired of the same old boring drapery and curtains, now is the time to
make a change. Follow these steps. Look for tips and ideas in books, magazines
and websites. You are on your way to a complete window make over.
Here are some tips to help you begin your window coverings (http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com/window-coverings.html)
makeover.
The writer Rob Carlton publishes for
http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com. He is helping people finding the
best solutions for window coverings
http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com/window-coverings.html
and home decoration.