Window Swags

When many of us think of swags, we envision the swag lamps of the 1970’s that hung in so many homes. But today, swags are more commonly used to refer to window treatments. There are literally dozens of varieties of swag curtains you can choose from to create dramatic window treatments for your home. Here are some of the many varieties of swags.

Austrian Swags – These are some of the most elaborate swags you can use. They resemble four distinct pieces of fabric, but usually are not constructed this way. Austrian swags are best suited to formal rooms, particularly if they’re made from silk, chintz or brocade fabric. However, these swags also look great in rooms with a country feel, provided they’re made from a simple fabric, like cotton.

Casual Swags – These swags are the simplest, and the most popular type of swag. The swags are constructed of one simple piece of fabric that is draped over the holders. These swags are appropriate for any style of décor. They’re simple to make and simple to hang.

Drapery Swags – These swags go over the top of your drapery panels. They can be made of the same fabric as the panels, or of a coordinating fabric. In general, these swags have a formal feel.

European Swags- These are some of the most popular swags for formal rooms. They are a bit more difficult to make than some of the other swags. Most people have these swags made professionally or buy them ready made. These swags are sometimes made from two different fabrics, one on the front side and another on the back side. Then, when the swags are hung, the secondary pattern shows.

Open swags – This is a simple way to make one window treatment appear as two. The center of the swag drapes over the front of the curtain rod, with the rest of the length hanging down from the back of the rod. These swags are typically cut long enough that the length in back reaches the floor, and is even sometimes left long enough to puddle onto the floor. These swags are very simple to hang, but make a very elegant statement. You can make them appear more casual by using less formal fabric and by not having them puddle onto the floor.

There are several other types of swags you can use for your window treatments. The ones listed here are the most popular. But, rest assured that nearly any look you’d like to create can be made with a swag.