Window Treatment Selection, Care and Tips

GUEST POST & Photos by:  Carol Reagin of Windowscapes

Thinking of window treatments for your home? Not only will window treatments add color and style to your home, but appropriate treatments can provide privacy, light control and insulation value. First decide what you wish to accomplish with your window treatments. For example, if you want drapery panels, should they be operational or stationary? If you need privacy, then they need to be operational….if privacy is not an issue, they can be stationary. If you want to add color, interest and style to a room, you can choose a top treatment, panels or any style or combination that pleases you. Is your décor formal or casual? If you need design ideas, look at home décor magazines and books. When you see something that appeals to you, imagine it in your home.

Now that you’ve decided on function and style, it’s time to look at fabrics. The Atlanta area has so many wonderful fabric stores and an almost endless variety of fabrics. There truly is something for everyone. It’s very important to match fabric with style. For example, if you’ve decided you want swags (or any treatment with soft folds), you don’t want a heavy or stiff fabric. Don’t hesitate to use more than one fabric in your treatment. Combinations of solids, plaids, prints, stripes and checks add interest and are very much today’s style. Fabrics other than sheers will benefit from a good quality lining such as 100% cotton. Linings not only add richness, but will add to the life of your window treatments as well.

Whenever possible your treatments should extend at least five to six inches above the window. Drapery panels can hang 1/4 inch off the floor, touch the floor or be puddled on the floor….whichever you prefer. If you have crown moulding, you may want to consider mounting them all the way to the moulding. Careful consideration should be given to the placement of brackets so that the fabric covers the side mouldings. To help maintain the beauty and life of your treatments, carefully vacuum or dust them on a regular basis and when cleaning becomes necessary they should always be professionally dry cleaned.

Now, just sit back and enjoy!  If you would like more information or would like to schedule an appointment with Carol to discuss window treatments, you can call the store at 678-494-5800.