There are many ways to decorate with window treatments, and honestly, many types of treatments. They all have something to offer and different things they are good at. Curtains are great for adding height and color to a room. Inside-mounted shades can block that pesky ray of sun peeking out from behind blinds or curtains. How you decorate your windows depends on what you want. Privacy? Blackout for a pesky eastern facing window right by your bed that is like a laser to your eyes in the morning? Filter light for an airy feel or house plants? Do you want to frame the window without caring about actually covering it as in the case of decorate molding?
There are curtains, valances, shades, and blinds. They can be formal, informal, modern, or romantic. I will try to detail the many differences before suggesting what can be done with them.
There are curtains, valances, shades, and blinds. They can be formal, informal, modern, or romantic. I will try to detail the many differences before suggesting what can be done with them.
As for curtains, the main difference in type is how they are hung. There are several, but most fall under the categories of pocket, ring, tab, grommet, or pleat. Rod pockets are perhaps the most informal, and the types of pleats the most formal. Rings attach much like shower curtains, a grommet through which a ring goes through and attaches it to the rod. The grommet curtain has the rod going through the grommet, no rings, and they tend to be sleek and modern looking. Tabs are pieces of fabric evenly spaced along the curtain length and are very utilitarian without being too modern.
The curtain itself can be lined (amount of lining determines its light blocking potential), unlined, or sheer. Lined curtains tend to last longer because they block sun from damaging the important fabric and hang better. They aren't as easily swept aside by wind or breezes and provide more privacy. Unlined curtains can allow some light or silhouettes through depending on the fabric's thickness. Sheers are usually to filter light, not block it, and keep an airy, breezy feeling to a room. If you have houseplants like orchids, sheer curtains can mean the difference between an orchid burning or being happy.
The curtain itself can be lined (amount of lining determines its light blocking potential), unlined, or sheer. Lined curtains tend to last longer because they block sun from damaging the important fabric and hang better. They aren't as easily swept aside by wind or breezes and provide more privacy. Unlined curtains can allow some light or silhouettes through depending on the fabric's thickness. Sheers are usually to filter light, not block it, and keep an airy, breezy feeling to a room. If you have houseplants like orchids, sheer curtains can mean the difference between an orchid burning or being happy.
There are dozens upon dozens of types of valances. They all hang horizontally across the rod rather than vertically from it. The basic types are pleats, cornice, corded ruffle (or rod pocket), gathered, tab, and various types of scarfs.
Box and pinch pleats are quite popular, particularly in bathrooms that tend to have small windows. They add a burst of color and style without the worry of curtains getting in the way of everything. I used a three pleat box valance in my guest bathroom. I recommend using an odd number of pleats across a valance. It looks more balanced. Cornices are basically hard valances, fabric attached to a board. They are formal, and can be either traditional or modern. Their shape is usually kept quite angular. Corded ruffle is what it sounds like. Ruffled across its entire length. Gathered valances are where the fabric is picked up. They are often called swags. Tab valances have tabs. Scarf valances are where you see the most variation. You can have an arrangement of multiple scarfs of fabric hung over the rod in elegant drapes or hanging down on either side in a lovely taper.
As to what is more formal, informal, more modern or country? It really depends on how you use them. Scarfs tend to be romantic, formal, and break up the straight lines of curtains. Ruffles and tabs feel country and informal, almost a little playful and youthful. Pleats are mostly formal. They use more fabric so they appear decadent. Gathered can be anything you want it to be, depending on the fabric, any curtains they are matched with, and the general decor. They are at home in the most formal or informal places and can be either simple or elaborate.
Box and pinch pleats are quite popular, particularly in bathrooms that tend to have small windows. They add a burst of color and style without the worry of curtains getting in the way of everything. I used a three pleat box valance in my guest bathroom. I recommend using an odd number of pleats across a valance. It looks more balanced. Cornices are basically hard valances, fabric attached to a board. They are formal, and can be either traditional or modern. Their shape is usually kept quite angular. Corded ruffle is what it sounds like. Ruffled across its entire length. Gathered valances are where the fabric is picked up. They are often called swags. Tab valances have tabs. Scarf valances are where you see the most variation. You can have an arrangement of multiple scarfs of fabric hung over the rod in elegant drapes or hanging down on either side in a lovely taper.
As to what is more formal, informal, more modern or country? It really depends on how you use them. Scarfs tend to be romantic, formal, and break up the straight lines of curtains. Ruffles and tabs feel country and informal, almost a little playful and youthful. Pleats are mostly formal. They use more fabric so they appear decadent. Gathered can be anything you want it to be, depending on the fabric, any curtains they are matched with, and the general decor. They are at home in the most formal or informal places and can be either simple or elaborate.
Shades are versatile. Depending on the fabric, they be light filters or blackout. I happen to prefer Roman shades. They are usually inside mounted on the window, though they can be mounted on the outside like a curtain, and have a sleek, refined look to them. Some shades are more relaxed. I made a Roman shade for my guest room, and because I have some orchids in there, I wanted a fabric that would filter the light, not block it. I chose this pretty, open-weave fabric reminescent of a loose canvas. It works wonderfully and adds texture to the room. Blinds are wood or plastic shades, in essence. They can be vertical or horizontal, and can be made out of several different materials. I don't like them because they can be so difficult to clean each individual piece. |
As to actually decorating with any of these things, how do you choose? It depends on what you want from your window. If you want privacy, you can go with blackout curtains OR shades. (I wouldn't go with both because that would be so heavy.) Curtains may be out if you have windows with decorative molding you don't want to cover up. In that case, I would go for a shade or maybe just a valance if privacy isn't an issue. Maybe you have dust allergies and don't want a lot of fabric collecting dust. Easily cleanable blinds may be your best option. Shades may be better in kitchens or bathrooms where you don't want curtains dangling into something.
For me, I want curtains to frame the windows and add height to my living room because even though I have a decently high ceiling, the room itself is a little small and in need of interest. But I also want privacy and to block light, though not in every window! I have houseplants on the sills. They need light, though not all of it. So should I go with curtains or shades?
I am thinking of going with both. You can do both shades AND curtains if your budget allows, as long as they don't both do the same job. Blackout curtains and blackout shades makes no sense. It's redundant. But blackout curtains and sheer shades do. You can block as little or as much light as you wish for the situation. I think this is a good option when a window serves many purposes.
Valances are just up to you. The kitchen in the above photo doesn't have a valance and it looks great. Could the designer have used one and it also look great? Of course. It just depends. Valances can lend structure and bring things together. The designer probably thought it unnecessary in the case of that kitchen because it already has so much structure and cohesiveness without it. But what does your own eye say?
For me, I want curtains to frame the windows and add height to my living room because even though I have a decently high ceiling, the room itself is a little small and in need of interest. But I also want privacy and to block light, though not in every window! I have houseplants on the sills. They need light, though not all of it. So should I go with curtains or shades?
I am thinking of going with both. You can do both shades AND curtains if your budget allows, as long as they don't both do the same job. Blackout curtains and blackout shades makes no sense. It's redundant. But blackout curtains and sheer shades do. You can block as little or as much light as you wish for the situation. I think this is a good option when a window serves many purposes.
Valances are just up to you. The kitchen in the above photo doesn't have a valance and it looks great. Could the designer have used one and it also look great? Of course. It just depends. Valances can lend structure and bring things together. The designer probably thought it unnecessary in the case of that kitchen because it already has so much structure and cohesiveness without it. But what does your own eye say?
There isn't much more I can say about curtains, so I'll try to keep the rest brief.
What type of fabric? That rests on the decor of the room. Formal spaces will probably demand heavier, more formal fabrics, though not always. I think color and pattern is almost more important than a fabric's perceived heaviness or lightness. If you have solid colored furniture, you can go with patterned curtains. It probably isn't a good idea to do patterned furniture and curtains unless you are confidence in mixing up pattern sizes. A small pattern chair can pair nicely with a large pattern curtain, or vice-versa. Incorporating colors from the rest of the room into the curtains can tie everything together.
Maybe choose a curtain you love, whether solid or pattern, and then using that piece to build the rest of the room can work for you. I'm decorating my kitchen and family room from a hand towel. Having that master item you love can keep the room from being haphazard, regardless of what curtains you do or do not have.
This designer room anchors itself on the shade fabric. Yes, there are many other patterns, but the shade has all of the colors. The yellow stripe of the couches and blue prints of the chair and ottomans match the colors of the shade. And none of the patterns, except the rug, match the size of the shade. They are all smaller, more regular patterns. The rug is personally too much for me, but it still all works. Even the rich wood coffee table sneaks a glance back at the shade.
My couch is solid brown. I want to paint the walls a vertical stripe of cream and really light blue. I was struggling with whether I should have patterned curtains and a solid shade or solid curtains and a patterned shade. I had to physically draw and color it out to decide. With the striped wall, a patterned curtain/solid shade looked best with the colors I wanted. So I recommend finding out what colors and patterns you want (and the size of those patterns!) before deciding on a fabric's heft.
How wide should curtains be? Unless the curtain is pleated, which gives extra fullness from its construction, curtains should be 2.5 times the width of the window. This ensures proper fullness when the curtain is drawn. Of course, if you never intend to actually cover the whole window, 1.5 is probably fine.
How long should curtains be? Accounting for whatever height you are hanging the curtains, you have two options: it stops right at the floor/sill or 1/2" above it (leaving it completely straight), or extends 1-3 inches longer so it puddles at the floor. Extra fabric can look more formal and romantic, though if you have uneven floors, it can disguise it.
How should you hang curtains? Higher and wider. For height, there are two options: 4-6 inches above the frame or halfway between the frame and ceiling UNLESS the gap created is more than 8 inches. Then it just looks odd. For wider, go 4-6 inches beyond the width of the frame. If you have decorative moldings, you can go as far as a whole foot. This leaves more of the glass open for light when the curtains are not drawn.
What type of fabric? That rests on the decor of the room. Formal spaces will probably demand heavier, more formal fabrics, though not always. I think color and pattern is almost more important than a fabric's perceived heaviness or lightness. If you have solid colored furniture, you can go with patterned curtains. It probably isn't a good idea to do patterned furniture and curtains unless you are confidence in mixing up pattern sizes. A small pattern chair can pair nicely with a large pattern curtain, or vice-versa. Incorporating colors from the rest of the room into the curtains can tie everything together.
Maybe choose a curtain you love, whether solid or pattern, and then using that piece to build the rest of the room can work for you. I'm decorating my kitchen and family room from a hand towel. Having that master item you love can keep the room from being haphazard, regardless of what curtains you do or do not have.
This designer room anchors itself on the shade fabric. Yes, there are many other patterns, but the shade has all of the colors. The yellow stripe of the couches and blue prints of the chair and ottomans match the colors of the shade. And none of the patterns, except the rug, match the size of the shade. They are all smaller, more regular patterns. The rug is personally too much for me, but it still all works. Even the rich wood coffee table sneaks a glance back at the shade.
My couch is solid brown. I want to paint the walls a vertical stripe of cream and really light blue. I was struggling with whether I should have patterned curtains and a solid shade or solid curtains and a patterned shade. I had to physically draw and color it out to decide. With the striped wall, a patterned curtain/solid shade looked best with the colors I wanted. So I recommend finding out what colors and patterns you want (and the size of those patterns!) before deciding on a fabric's heft.
How wide should curtains be? Unless the curtain is pleated, which gives extra fullness from its construction, curtains should be 2.5 times the width of the window. This ensures proper fullness when the curtain is drawn. Of course, if you never intend to actually cover the whole window, 1.5 is probably fine.
How long should curtains be? Accounting for whatever height you are hanging the curtains, you have two options: it stops right at the floor/sill or 1/2" above it (leaving it completely straight), or extends 1-3 inches longer so it puddles at the floor. Extra fabric can look more formal and romantic, though if you have uneven floors, it can disguise it.
How should you hang curtains? Higher and wider. For height, there are two options: 4-6 inches above the frame or halfway between the frame and ceiling UNLESS the gap created is more than 8 inches. Then it just looks odd. For wider, go 4-6 inches beyond the width of the frame. If you have decorative moldings, you can go as far as a whole foot. This leaves more of the glass open for light when the curtains are not drawn.