Using Window Coverings To Enlighten Your Home

Using Window Coverings To Enlighten Your Home
By Robert Carlton, Fri Dec 9th

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1.Start with one room at a time. There may be thetemptation, especially when moving into a new home, to decorateall of the rooms at once. This takes far too much energy and cansap your creative juices, leaving the decorating flat and lessinteresting. It can also make decorating your home anoverwhelming task. Go slow. Do one room at a time and then moveon 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 willhelp. Are the windows too large? Too small? Odd sizes?Mismatched sizes? Is there too much light in the room? Notenough light? Do you want to block an unattractive view? Do youwant to enjoy the beautiful view? Do you need privacy? Daytimeprivacy? Nighttime privacy? Or both? Do you want to liven up adreary 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. Onething is for certain, no matter what the challenge or situationthat you are facing with your windows, someone else has alreadydealt with the same situation. There is a way, or many ways, toattractively treat the windows in your room. You can findexamples of how others have decorated their windows inmagazines, window decorating books, window decorating websitesand by talking with friends and relatives.

4.Make a plan. Using your list of needs, rank the needsin order of importance and then make a plan that addresses yourneeds in that order. There is a way to treat issue.

5.Address your window coverings in stages. This isespecially if you are uncertain about your preferences or if youare working on a budget. Begin with the shades, silhouetteblinds or shutters. Once these are selected and installed, moveto swags or kitchen curtains, including the traverse or wroughtiron curtain rods. Finally, add the finishing touches such ascornices, decorative tie backs and finishing drapery hardware.

6.Combine and contrast colors. Using color in your windowtreatment is an excellent way to put life and energy as well asset the tone and mood of a room. Experiment with mixing colorsfrom opposite ends of the color spectrum.

7.Mix fabrics for texture. Fabric is composed of eithernatural or synthetic fibers and how they are woven, knitted orfelted together. The type fiber and the weave or knitting willdetermine the texture of the material or fabric. Mixing fabricsand textures can be an excellent way to create interest and setthe tone of your window treatments. For example, you mayconsider using velvet over organdy or silk over linen. Commonfabrics 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 setthe mood for a room. Here are some tips for mixing patterns.a.Match the scale, of the pattern to the area where it is goingto be used. For example, use larger patterns on the drapes or shower curtains, medium patterns on valances or cornicesand small patterns on accent pieces. b.Use geometric patternswith one another. For example, you can use stripes with checks,plaids or dots. c.Common colors in mixed patterns tie the twotogether. For example, blue stripes mixed with matching bluedots will tie the two patterns together.

9.Make small windows big. Make big windows smaller. Oneof your goals should be to make the room harmonious. Mismatchedwindows or windows of dissimilar size and shape can disrupt thisharmony.

You can make small windows appear larger by placing aheading such as a valance or cornice on the wall above thewindow and using curtains or drapes of similar length. Largewindows can be treated with a series of blinds or drapesbreaking up the expanse. Large cathedral windows can be treatedby installing a traverse or curtain rods on the lower part ofthe window and leaving the upper portion untreated.

10.Let your window coverings evolve. Like a garden, theinterior decoration of your home, including window treatmentswill be subject to change. Let your windows evolve as theinterior of your home changes to reflect changes in yourlifestyle or tastes. The first order for your windows is toprovide privacy and light control. This will be accomplishedwith shades, blinds, miniblinds or shutters. Then you can begincreating mood with decorative treatments of color, design andtexture. As you gain confidence and experience with decorating,you can change and expand your window treatments. If you aretired of the same old boring drapery and country curtains, now is the time to make a change.Follow these steps. Look for tips and ideas in books, magazinesand websites. You are on your way to a complete window makeover.

About the author:

Robert Carlton releases many articles for http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com an online internet site. Amongst hisworks he is mostly focusing on information about kitchen curtains and window coverings .