Making the Most Out of Your Windows

When it comes to decorating your windows, the possibilities are limitless. With thousands of fabrics and styles to choose from, there is no reason not to decorate your windows to suit your style. Your choice of window treatments can have a major effect on the overall look and feel of a room. Window treatments allow for a lot of creativity without having to spend a lot of money. They are also one of the few simpler home decorating projects that you can easily tackle yourself. Many window treatments require little or no sewing and can be as easy as knowing how to tie a knot.

You might want to try a valance as your first attempt at making your own window treatment. A valance can be anything from squares of fabric folded into a triangle and draped over a rod to a pleated or gathered piece of material, or an upholstered frame. The one thing that they have in common is that they hang above the curtain or window and cover the curtain rod or header bar.

A swag is a sort of valance in that it is placed at the top of the window, and swags or sweeps from points at either corner of the window top. A swag can also extend down the sides to form part of the curtain treatment. You can use any fabric for a swag but if you're going for that elegant look try velvet or brocade for something more formal. Simply tie the fabric to the rod with decorative ribbon or matching fabric. The nice thing about a valance or swag is that you can change them with the seasons for a completely different look with out the expense of having to purchase all new window treatments.

Where privacy is not an issue or you'd like that extra light, try a scarf. Depending on the size of the window simply buy a length of fabric to suit the decorating theme you have in mind and try various ways of draping it from the curtain rod until you have a look that you're pleased with. This is also a great look over shear curtains and you can also create a swag effect as well.

When designing your window treatments, don't forget to dress up that curtain rod, especially if it is going to be exposed. Try wrapping it with ribbon or strips of fabric. If you're working with older existing rods, painting them with a mat or low gloss paint can make them look new again. It's amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do for almost anything in the home.

If your want window treatments with simpler, cleaner lines you might consider blinds, or for a more masculine look wooden blinds could be the perfect solution. The wood tones can add an extremely warm feeling to any room.

Remember that subtle is better then over loading your windows with heavy extravagant treatments. There is an endless variety of ways you can dress your windows or make your own window treatments, Experiment with fabrics and draping techniques and you're bound to find something to suit your personal style and give your windows a beautiful new look.