Drapes

Drapes are great choice for any formal room in your home. Drapes are a classic window dressing that will never go out of style. Choosing the right drapes for a room is critical to ensuring that the room has a “put together” look.

One of the most important choices you’ll make when choosing your drapes is the fabric. You’ll want to choose fabric that complements the style of the room and your other furnishings. For example, you wouldn’t choose silk brocade to make drapes for a room that was furnished with denim upholstered furniture. Drapes come in many types of fabric, from simple denim or corduroy to silks and tapestries.

Once you’ve chosen the type of fabric you’d like for your drapes, it’s time to choose pattern and color. If you’re purchasing ready made drapes your choices will be somewhat limited. However, there are hundreds of stores and websites that sell ready made drapes in a variety of colors, patterns and sizes. Drapes are typically ordered by width and length so that they are wide enough to fully cover your window when closed and long enough to reach either the bottom of the window casing or the floor, depending upon your preference.

Interior decorators recommend that each fabric in your room be used three times in order to create a cohesive decorating look. So, you might want to choose your drapery fabric from your throw pillows, slipcovers, or some other fabric in the room. Ready made sets that include drapes, throw pillows and other coordinated pieces make creating this look a snap. It’s also simple to do if you’re having your custom drapes made, since you can have other items in the room made from the same fabric. If you’re unable to make your drapes match other fabrics you’re already using in the room, consider using solid color drapes. Simply choose a color that you like from one of the patterned fabrics in your room, and use this color in your drapes.

A final consideration you’ll need to make in your drapes is the amount of privacy you desire. If your drapes are the only coverings you plan to have on your windows, you’ll need to ensure that they can provide the privacy you desire. If you’re choosing drapes for your bedroom, for example, you may want to choose blackout drapes, so that they provide complete darkness for sleeping. In other rooms of your home, where less privacy is required, you may choose sheer drapes to let in plenty of light.

Your drapes can really make a statement in your room, so be certain to choose carefully. Drapes can be expensive, so it’s important to make a wise choice the first time around, so that you’re happy with your drapes for years to come.