Try combining window treatment styles, such as using both sheers and drapes.
When you decorate a room, don't forget about your windows. Windows can be the focal point of the space as they provide a natural light source. You have six major styles of window treatments from which to choose. Every one of these styles comes in different materials and colors, so you should find a style that complements both your room and personality. Does this Spark an idea?
Draperies
Draperies, also called drapes or curtains, are made of fabric and are the most common window treatment style. Usually, drapes come in sets of two, with one panel of the fabric placed on either end of a curtain rod. When the curtains are in use, you either slide them to the outside of the window on the rod or use ties to bring the center and bottom of the panel away from the center of the window. The fabric for draperies usually is heavy; some drapes are designed especially to filter out as much light as possible for sleeping and to save energy related to heating and cooling. Sometimes a single panel is put on a rod and pulled to one side of the window.
Valances
A valance is a window treatment that can be used in addition to a drapery or by itself. A valance goes across the entire length of the window, but extends down only about 6 to 12 inches, which makes them purely decorative as they are inefficient at filtering most of the light that comes through the window. A valance is a good style for a short window because the small height of the valance doesn't make the window appear more compact.
Sheers
A sheer is very similar to a drapery in the way it is hung. However, sheers are decorative. They are made of thin fabric like lace and are very flimsy. Most sheers are translucent. Sheers sometimes are used in conjunction with other window treatments. For example, you can place a sheer behind a drapery so that the light in the room remains semi filtered even when the drapes are open. Sometimes people use long sheers alone, draping them in cascades on the curtain rod, creating a billowy effect.
Shades
Shades are cuts of thick, woven material that are fitted to the shape of the window. They are attached to a roller on one end. When you want to reduce the light in your room, you pull down on a cord at the bottom of the shade, or on the bottom of the shade itself, to lengthen how much of the shade goes over the window. You retract the shade by pulling down slightly but then allowing the shade to roll back up over the roller. Shades usually block a lot of light.
Blinds
Blinds are window treatments that are made of many individual parts. They are attached to a pulley or cord mechanism in most cases. You can turn the individual panels of the blinds simultaneously so you can control how large of a slat appears to let light in. You also can shift all the panels up or down (left or right for vertical blinds) to get the blinds entirely out of the way and let in all the light possible. Blinds look more contemporary than some other treatment styles and thus are favorites for offices.
Shutters
Shutters are panels of wood that close across the window like a door. Usually two shutters are on one window and meet in the center. In colonial times, window shutters replaced glass and therefore kept wind, dust, animals and intruders out of the home. Shutters still serve these functions today, but often they are put on just for decoration, especially if the shutters are on the outside of the house. Shutters do serve the additional functions of protecting the window glass and blocking light in the room in the absence of other window treatments.
Tags: window treatment, window treatments, bottom shade, light possible, light room