Window Treatments: The Finishing Touch

Feb 19, 2008

A very key element to any room is the window treatments. They add the finishing touch while at the same time adding color, style and light control. Sometimes it is a way to reduce sound reflection depending on the amount of fabric used. This is an important consideration with all the hard surface flooring currently in vogue.

First establish what you are trying to achieve with the window treatment. Will it be a simple decorative touch or a dramatic statement; casual or formal? Do you want it to blend in with the background or really stand out? What type of silhouette appeals to you?

Choosing the fabric before finalizing the window treatment design is a good idea. At times you may be limited in choices of color and style of fabric you are searching for. The final choice of fabric may have drapability or patterning which lends itself to one style of treatment over another.

Rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms present their own unique problems. In these areas you are dealing with moisture and in the case of kitchens cooking grease can travel in the air. Fabrics such as cottons, which are more easily cleaned, are a better choice. Save the use of silks for living rooms, formal dining rooms and bedrooms.

For inspiration look through magazines and books to look for design elements which will enhance your design. Simple lines are often more dramatic than overdoing with too many elements. Long panels hung just below the crown moulding or close to the ceiling in a room without crown moulding and "breaking" on the floor add drama and sophistication making the ceilings seem higher. These panels should have two to three times fullness to prevent them from looking skimpy.

Swags and jabots add a classic touch which could be carried out in a wide range of fabrics from silks to cottons. Cutting them in varied configurations and changing the type of fabric can change the look to more contemporary. The swags should be cut on the bias whenever possible so that they will hang with softer folds. Interlining them is also a good idea.

If you desire to fabricate your own window treatments there are commercial patterns available as well as instructional books. Plan carefully when calculating the yardage requirements. Remember to factor in any pattern repeats. With long panels you will want to carefully match the patter repeat at the seams. If you are making swags or valances for more than one window in a room, they always look better if each window has the pattern falling in the same place on every window. That way the look will flow better and reflect a quality look.

For the final touch there are numerous trims available to add interest and perhaps bring some subtle additional color to the treatments. This is a nice way to tie together any colors that occur in the furnishings in the room.

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