There is something stark about a naked window. Cool light filters in through
sterile glass and creates a prime environment for blandness and faded furniture
and carpets. One of the simplest ways to make a home feel complete is to
incorporate some well-thought out window treatments. 

Whether you choose dramatic drapes, easy-breezy sheers, or a quirky valance-
you will be surprised at how such a seemingly small detail can make your home
feel finished. Here are some ideas that can get you on right track towards
dressing up those poor, blank window sills.

Simple Yet Stunning: Go Bold and Go Striped

Floor length drapes are exquisite. They are as much of a big window staple now
as they were at the turn of almost every century. Evolving from heavy, velvet draperies
to fun and funky, today’s cotton materials can fit into any home. The key is
choosing something that has personality as well as purpose.

Pattern ideas? You can never get a bad window design from a simple striped
drape. Choose horizontal, chunky stripes to modernize the plain, ho-hum lateral
pin-stripe. Look for fun colors like olive green, orange, and navy blue to
drive home an accent color.

It is best to choose one bold color and then layer that
stripe with a neutral linen, cream or white strip to break up it’s brightness.
The balance of white and color will make the curtains seem fresh and fun. Be
sure that the material you choose allows light to filter in yet still keeps a
room fairly dark in the evenings or on particularly sunny days. Cotton and
linen are your best choices.

If your room is very neutral and lacks pizzazz, a couple of panels of highly
contrasted curtains ought to do the trick. Be sure they are bold, like a modern
native American inspired hatch-print or a bright white honeycomb pattern
against a brown wall. You want the curtains to pop, so make sure you choose
panels that are in your color scheme but that push the color envelope just a
bit. If you have large windows, break up the panels into fourths. This will
give the panels room to breathe between the widows they are complimenting.

Price Points

Perhaps the price of drapes is what is keeping you from installing them. The
best way to get a good deal on window treatments, is to get multiple bids. Even
though getting bids may be something reserved for larger construction jobs, it can
be the one thing that will allow you to choose an affordable treatment. If you
don’t want custom made drapes, then consider making them yourself. There are a
wealth of online tutorials on how to sew, stencil, and hang your way to a
better dressed window.

Establish the Need: Privacy or Personality

No matter what color or style you choose, you first need to decide what your
need is. If it is privacy, make sure you choose curtains that have excellent
coverage. Whether panels or blackout blinds- you don’t want to get treatments
that are going to look good but serve no purpose. If you don’t need coverage,
or even for them to fully close, then be sure to choose a fabric that is
bursting with personality to really frame the picture that is your home’s
windows.