Show Off Those Curtain Rods
By Ciara McNamara
Curtain rods come in as many different styles and materials as
fabric curtains. They can make or break the appearance of your window depending
on how you hang them and how they are finished off. Knowing what you can do with
the curtain rod will give you some decorating ideas you may not have thought of
before.
Anatomy of a Curtain Rod
To start the curtain rod consists of three main parts. There is the pole
part that holds the fabric, then finials which cap off the ends of the poles,
and the brackets that mount the rod to the wall. Each part can be strictly
utilitarian or add a decorative element.
Some curtain poles are adjustable. They are made of two parts that slide
into one another so the pole can be lengthened or shortened. This is a good
design feature if you decide you want to change the appearance of the width of
the window by expanding the window dressing.
The finials are end pieces that can be very ornate and made of many
different materials. Some are made of blown glass while others are carved wood.
The finials need to match the rod part for a coordinated look. They can be
changed out whenever you want just a little updating to the window’s appearance
without having to change everything.
The brackets on a curtain rod set can be hidden by the pole or a part of the
décor. When the brackets are decorative they can stick out from the wall and
allow two rods to feed through them. This would be used to create a layered look
with sheer fabric closest to the window and a heavier fabric on top of it.
Hanging Rods to Create New Looks
Many people make the mistake of hanging rods too high or too low. There
really isn’t a wrong way, but perhaps a better way. For example, if you have
extremely high ceilings and the windows don’t go very close to the top of the
wall, you can create longer looking windows by hanging your curtain rods closer
to the ceiling. You will need more length in your drapes of course, but it will
make your windows much taller.
Likewise, you can create more width to your window by hanging the drapery
wider. You still will not want the edge of the window to show, so to create the
illusion of greater width, you can bring fabric right to the edge of the window
and then go out as wide as you like. It will appear as if the drapes had been
drawn in part way on a very large window.
Seeing Double and Triple
Curtain rods come in many styles but also have built in double and triple
rods. These rod styles are great for more layering. You can hang sheers and
drapes (
http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com/drapes.html ) , or two different
fabric patterns. The layering gives a rich look that can also serve as
insulation for older windows that may allow a draft to come in.
Curtain rods can be used on more than just windows too. They can support
decorative fabric wall coverings. These types of drapes that cover an ugly wall
and can warm up a room and help with controlling noise. There really is no limit
to the uses for curtain rods in decorating. Your imagination can put them
anywhere.
Ciara McNamara publishes many articles for
http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com. Ciara is helps finding the best
solutions for
curtain rods and home improvement topics.