Window Treatment Guide: Improve Your View

IMPROVE YOUR VIEW

Look at it this way: every window is a chance to make your world more beautiful. Because no matter what’s on the outside, you can create something fabulous inside.

From fully functioning draperies, shades or blinds to decorative panels, sheers, swags and more, we give you a host of window treatments that complement your decorating style. A formal setting will be perfectly finished by elegant drapery panels. More relaxed rooms might call for tab-top panels or blinds. A kitchen or bathroom is the perfect place for classic café curtains or even Roman shades. And most anywhere you want a splash of color, you’ll enjoy a scarf or valance.

WINDOW TREATMENTS

Once you know the basic types of window treatments, you can feel confident in choosing those that suit your taste and match your décor. Here’s a simple glossary of the window treatments you’ll want to consider.


Drapery Panels





Commonly made from heavier weight fabrics, drapery panels offer a wide range of design options. In a formal setting, they create an elegant look while providing privacy and blocking out the most light. They are generally available in three standard lengths: 63”, 84” and 96”.










Sheer Curtains







Sheer panels allow for the greatest amount of light to filter through the fabric into a room. They are most commonly made from a soft, lightweight fabric such as voile, and they come in a variety of colors, styles and textures. For a layered look, hang sheer panels behind drapery panels.







Lace Panels








Lace panels can delicately accent a window and add light to a room. Pair laced borders with a valance or pair of swags to create a more traditional window treatment.








Coordinate Panels







Coordinate panels are designed to complement the color palette of other fabrics within a room. This allows you to mix and match colors, patterns and fabrics to coordinate with bedding, towels and furniture.










Tab Top Panels

Providing a modern Look and allowing for decorative rods and hardware to be displayed, tab-top panels add special decorative interest to a room.

Cafe Curtains







Because they are informal, cafe curtain are most commonly used in kitchens or bathrooms. Also known as tier curtains, they cover the bottom half of the window and are often used with a valance, a pair of swags or both.










Roman Shade





Roman Shades are a type of fabric window treatment that is raised and lowered in horizontal pleats or folds through the use of a threaded cord. The pleats lie flat when completely raised.









Roller Shades






Roller Shades are the most simple of window coverings. They can be used behind almost any window treatment to control llight. The material is hidden on a roller as the shade is raised.










How To Measure Your Window

For best results when measuring, use a steel measuring tape and always convert your measurements into inches. In addition, be sure to measure all windows separately even if they appear to be identical.

Before you begin taking measurements, you must first decide if you plan to mount your hardware on the inside or the outside of the window. This decision is especially important when installing blinds.

Inside mount
The window treatment hardware is mounted inside the window frame and should be measured horizontally from the inside edge of one side of the window to the other side.

Outside mount
The window treatment hardware is mounted outside of the actual window frame and overlaps the frame. Measure from the outside edge of the window molding to the other edge.

For panels:
Once you determine each window’s width, you must determine the panel width. To provide a full look to your window treatments, the panels’ combined width needs to measure two to three times the width of your window measurements. For drapery and sheers you just need to know the window size. If you want an unobstructed view when the curtains are open, add 8 inches (you will need to extend your rod 4 inches beyond your window on each side).

For length, measure the height of the window from the top of the frame to the bottom of the window sill (or the bottom of the window if there is no sill). For full length, measure the distance from the top of the frame to the floor.

Standard lengths are as follows:

63" Panels - typically fall 4" below the bottom of the window frame

84" Panels - typically fall 1" above or just at the floor. This type of Panel is the most commonly used.

95" Panels - fall on the floor so that the panels "puddle" for a luxurious look. This look is commonly used on larger windows with drapery panels made of thicker or heavier fabric.