Yesterday we introduced new YDH decorating services and some of you alerted us to the fact that you tried to purchase a service but the  PayPal links did not work .  Thank you for letting us know about this issue, for your patience while we fix it - and for wanting our services!  We will rectify the problem and let you know when it’s ready to go again.  Thanks!

From our reader survey this summer we learned that a lot of you are stumped by window coverings.  Today’s post provides an overview about things to keep in mind when deciding on window coverings.  This article also kicks off a series of posts about window coverings that will run over the next few weeks.

Why Window Coverings?

Window coverings can provide privacy, help maintain room temperature, protect your furnishings from sun, and generally add or detract from the look of your space. 

Use window coverings to your decorating advantage:

• If you have narrow windows – visually expand the width of your windows by installing a drapery rod and drapes past the edge of the window.  This will make the window look larger.
• If you have short windows - add visual height to short windows by hanging the drapery rod above the window or even from the ceiling.  The long swath of drapery fabric draws your eye up instead of having it stop at the top of the short windows. 

• If you have unbalanced windows – add symmetry to windows that are not of equal size or are placed irregularly on a wall by  using drapes to visually adjust their placement and size.  You can even add drapes where there is no window in order to give the illusion of a window, balancing  a lone window on the opposite end of the wall.
• If you have a neutral room – add some punch and color with dramatic patterns and bold color drapes to liven things up.
• If you have a busy or hard edged room – soften the look with window coverings that blend with the walls, adding texture and softness but no additional visual activity or edge.

Use window coverings to enhance your room’s color scheme and mood:

• If you’re creating a formal room – choose smooth and shiny window coverings made from silk, taffeta, organdy, moire and polished cotton type finishes

• If you’re creating a casual room – choose textured window coverings made from chenille, cotton, denim, linen, bamboo, and burlap
• If your space is small – select simple and uncomplicated window coverings
• If you space is large – layer fabrics and make sure your treatments flow from window to window in a large space, even if you don’t use the same style treatment on each window
• Reinforce your color scheme by repeating the colors in your window treatments

Types of Window Coverings

Window coverings can be segmented into two categories: soft  window coverings and hard window coverings.

Soft window coverings include:

•  Drapes – typically pleated and lined fabric on a traverse rod which moves them by a cord

• Curtains  – fabric shirred, gathered or pleated onto a rod and moved by hand

• Fabric Shades/Blinds – fabric panels that operate top to bottom
• Top Treatments – cover the area at and above the rod

Hard window coverings include:

• Art glass – stained and art glass provide pattern and color

• Horizontal and Vertical Slat Blinds – provide light control and privacy

• Screens – Shoji screens provide light diffusion and, like most screens, slide on a track
• Shades – roller shades, bamboo shades  move top to bottom
• Shutters – louver shutters provide light control and privacy

Consider the Hardware

• Select a rod that suits your window covering and the accessories in the room (for instance, don’t use a white painted rod if your accessories are all brass and the window trim is stained) and if you’re using rings and clips give them the same consideration
• Finish the ends of your rods appropriately – select finials in finishes, styles and colors that suit the rod, your window covering and the room’s accessories

• Make sure drapery hold-backs, rod sconces, swag holders and brackets all work together with each other, the window covering and the rest of the room.

 Don’t Get Hung Up on Window Coverings

 This is just the beginning of our exploration of window coverings.  We’ll take it step-by-step so they don’t seem so overwhelming.  Tomorrow we”ll look at the types of ready-made curtain panels available to you.