Whether you have recently moved into a new home or you want to give your current one a facelift, one of the easiest ways (outside of painting) is to give the windows a new look. However, there are so many fabrics, patterns and styles of window treatments that choosing what look will best work for you can be a bit of struggle. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone.

Many designers recommend one of the best ways to ensure that the window treatment you select is all that you want it to be is to visit a custom window treatment shop. These shops typically have someone on staff that not only knows how to create gorgeous custom drapery, but can also design window treatments that will look great in your room. In fact, these locations will often have someone who can come to your home and help determine what type of window treatments will be best for each room.

So, if you are considering having custom window treatments for your home, here are several elements to keep in mind.

– First set a budget. It is quite easy to go into a custom drapery shop and spend some money. Be sure you know what you are getting for that money and that it is something you will be pleased with.

– If you go to shop that does not make house calls, you will need to have the measurements of the windows. Normally, window treatments should go to just below the windowsill or all the way to the floor, but not puddle-unless the drapes are being used in an elegant room such as a formal dining room or ballroom. Along with the measurements, you should also bring pictures of the room and a basic sketch of the room’s floor plan.

– Decide whether you want the window treatment to be an aesthetic element bringing life to the room or merely serve a function like providing privacy or keeping out the sunlight.

– Determine whether you want natural or synthetic fabric. While this may not be a big deal to some people, it is a consideration to keep in mind. This choice will also play a role in how you spend your budget as natural fabrics should always be lined; however, the lining will give a more uniform look to the outside of your home in addition to help to conserve energy by adding a small insulation while reducing the amount of sunshine.

– Think about the climate for your region. In areas where high heat and humidity are common you may opt for a synthetic fabric with acetate or nylon or a natural fabric such as linen or cotton as these withstand the sun’s rays better than a silk or a sheer fabric.

Custom window treatments are a great way to add elegance and personality to your home’s decor. They can be subtle and soft allowing light to filter throughout the room or they may make a bold statement about who you are and what you love. There is truly no limit to the types, styles and colors of a custom window treatment. And, if you enlist the skills of a professional window treatment designer, you can ensure that the end result is everything you want it to be.

Author Bio: At Custom Drapery Studio Nancy Cohen has been creating custom draperies and window treatments for homeowners, decorators, and interior designers for over 20 years. Convenient to Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point North Carolina. For more information go to www.customdraperystudio.com

Category: Home Management
Keywords: window treatments, draperies, drapery, custom, curtains