There are many types of window treatments out there, we gathered all types of treatments and combine them in four main categories:

• Window treatments that are made of soft materials such as curtains, sheer curtains, drapes, swag and valances
• Window treatments that are made of hard material like blinds shutters, shades etc.
• Window films and stickers
• A combination of both hard and soft window treatments.

Hard Window Treatments

Window Shutters

Also known as board and baton (bnb), panels, slats or louvered shutters. They are made of wood and plastic materials, ideal for exterior windows. They can help in controlling light, they can provide privacy, hides an undesirable view. They can be just for decoration purpose or used for functional aspect as well. Window shutters are ideal for exterior windows.

Shades and blinds:

There are a vast variety of shades and blinds available nowadays. From roman shades to venetian blinds. Shades are mostly made of hard wood and plastic or metal material whereas blinds can be made from fabric, vinyl, paper or card. Both treatments are considered to be fixtures because they are fixed and cannot be drawn like a curtain or drapery on the other hand they can be control with cords and wands.

Shades and blinds are ideal for kitchens, patio, bathroom and can be used in family room also. They are available in variety of colors and prints. Famous types of shades and blinds are wood woven shades, venetian blinds, roller shades, roman blinds, vertical shades, horizontal shades etc.

Panels

Panels are like room dividers which can be used as window treatments, originally from Japan, they are made of rice paper, bamboo, wood, vinyl and nowadays stained-glass ones are famous. They can act as a decoration component in any room.

There are two types of panels, folding panels like screens and panel tracks which runs on a track like sliding window panel. Ideal for interiors, they can be used in any room. Panels provide a stylish yet luxurious effect in any space.

Soft window treatments

Curtains

Curtains are made of soft materials like fabrics. When talking about curtains certain things comes in mind as Will curtains keep my room warmer or will they keep it cooler?

One should know that curtains are versatile as they can control light provide privacy, add as a decoration element solely or a functional element like hiding an unwanted view. Curtain types are pleated, pinch-pleats, eyelets, ruffled, sheer fabric and café curtain etc. They come in many different colors and prints for interiors; they can be as formal and as casual accruing to your choice. Some curtains require a lining for blocking a light properly, some don’t.

Draperies

Draperies are made from heavier fabrics like velvet, jacquard. Draperies are for formal areas as they are made of fine fabrics like satin, silks and velvets. Draperies need high maintenance. They act as a main focal point in any room when mix with other types of tops and headers. Come in many colors and prints according to taste Like curtains, drapes are available by length and width. For both, it’s necessary to have the right hardware for hanging them, including curtain or drapery rods.

May draw across the rod or remain stationary on either or both sides of the window. They add sophistication and elegance to any room. Ideal for interior formal zones like dining and living areas.

Window stickers and films

If you are looking for a low-cost window treatment, window films and stickers are for you. They come in different types like decorative, frosted, stained glass, etched plain, opaque ones to full bright floral and animated ones. With vast variety of patterns and color choices.

They can add oomph factor to any room. Window films come with adhesive on one side you can just peel and stick it on windows. Some are water proof. easy to maintain and clean. Ideal for bathrooms, kitchen and kids’ room.

Combination of both hard and soft window treatments

Soft window treatments like roller shades can be combined with hard window treatments like cornice and Valances to give a layered and more complete look. Both combined can add some design elements to your windows, you can add shades with sheer fabrics or drapes with cornice on top to hide hardware. These are available in assorted colors and designs, so you’ll want to go with something that matches the theme of the room.

First thought that crosses a mind when think about installing curtains is “How curtains work?” and that followed by “How curtains are measured, what curtains go on track, how curtains should be hung?”.

To answer all these enquiries, we have gathered simple and easy to follow thumb rules of instructions on how to measure and install a curtain.

Grab a metal tape and let’s start by measuring the window to get accurate measurement for the curtains.

TO MEASURE CURTAIN WIDTH:

Using a metal tape measure the width of the window using an existing curtain track. If there is no curtain pole or track than window recess can be measured.

TO MEASURE CURTAIN LENGTH:

First decide where you would like your curtains to fall

1. To the window sill (15 to 20 cm below the sill)
2. To the floor (1 cm above the floor)
3. Above the radiator (2cm above)
4. To add flare on the floor. (12 cm to desired length)

Using metal tape measure from the top of the curtain track to the desired length. Add required seam allowances for different types of curtain styles like eyelet curtains or pleated ones. Once the length and width are measured now comes the part to measure a curtain fabric. First select a finest quality fabric and choose the lining carefully to protect the fabric from fading.

Now to measure the fabric curtain pole or track should be in place because measurement without a pole will be inaccurate. Always double check your measurements.

For best curtain lengths it is advisable to drop the curtains a centimeter or half above the floor. For curtain measurement do not use window width instead measure the curtain track.

Single curtain track: if you have a single curtain track, simply measure the total length of the track from one end to the other with the metal tape.

Overlap track:  if you have an overlap curtain track first measure the rail that is above and then measure the overlap. add both measurements together. Don’t measure the decorative curtain ends.

TO MEASURE THE VALANCE:

Measure the width of the valance rail, which is mostly 30cm wider than the curtain track because it returns on either side.

INSTALLLING A CURTAIN:

To hang the curtain, select a curtain track that is wider than your window width doesn’t go too narrow because this will not be enough for the curtain panels to hang on either side of the window. It will also fail to cover the complete window.

Wider curtain rods also trick the eye into thinking that the window is larger than the actual size. It is advisable to go 10 or 12 inches wider than the window. Use plenty of fabric to give a fuller look because when the curtain is drawn it will fully cover the window. Hang high, the height of the curtain rod makes a window look taller this is why the curtain rod is installed closer to the ceiling. For guidance install curtain track 4 to 6 inches above window frame.

FOLLOW THESE THREE STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO HANG A CURTAIN:

1. The first step is to install the curtain rod by marking the bracket location on the wall. Double check the placement by hanging the rod and always check the rod is balanced with a level tool.
2. Drill holes for screws and fix the brackets and attach curtain pole then fix the other bracket and put one curtain ring one each end of the pole before attaching curtain finials.
3. Hang the curtains according to your window treatment and the instructions for the rod. Tighten the screws and install the finials of each rod.

Choosing a curtain can be a devastating and a time-consuming task. The options and variations are practically endless. Don’t get lost on curtain styles and issues on curtain selection topic like which curtains for bay windows? and sometimes the problem is what curtains go with grey walls? and don’t fret on curtains terminology. The main purpose is to choose the type and style of curtains according to the window placement and the theme of your house.

Here are a guide lines to go through while choosing a perfect curtain for your space:

First step: choose appropriate length

The decision to choose the length of the curtain or draperies is up to you.

• Longer curtains or drapery length signifies formal and more dignified look. Whereas shorter length implies informal and relaxed mood.
• Short length curtains are used for more casual areas.
• Length of the curtain till the floor is more formal
• Length of the certain making puddles on the floor is considered to be romantic.
• Length of the curtain to the window sill is more casual and active.

These thumb rules are useful when choosing curtains room by room.

1. Formal zones:   in formal zones like dinning drawing and dressing rooms, the curtains are advisable to touch the floor. Extra-long curtains that drape on the floor looks elegant for private zone areas.
2. Work zone: work zones like kitchen laundry areas the curtain length should stop just below the window sill. Never hang long curtains in work zones. As these are the busy and fussy areas specially avoid hanging curtains near the cooking areas like stove.

Second step: texture selection

Texture plays an important role in room décor. when choosing texture for the curtains the question arises in mind is “Will curtains keep my house warm?” or “Will curtains keep my room cooler?”. To satisfy this curiosity, one should be careful while choosing the texture as It provides a visual texture to an overall plain furniture or it can balance out existing textured upholstery. For this considering the mood and aura of the room and the theme of the interior will help and guide you to select the right texture for the curtains. For formal areas heavy weight fabrics like velvet jacquard and heavy silk are ideal because they are seldom washed and dry-clean-only option.

For work zones easily washable fabrics with textures like cotton, sateen, silky rayon is more practical. Cotton and its variations have a crisp texture that brings a neat and sleek look to the room and is easy to use and maintain.

Third step: select color

People often underestimate that the color is a powerful design tool. It can bring life to a dull décor or complements a bland theme in a space.  For curtains color selection is as important as it can be for any other thing, if you want curtains to blend with the décor, follow the main color scheme of the designated room.  For blending the curtain colors can be selected a few shades lighter or darker of the main hue. Complementary curtains pop out and bring a vibrant change to a room. A bold color can create a wow factor when chosen against a neutral color scheme.

Step four: pattern and prints

If the furniture has an elaborate pattern or is printed, curtains should be chosen plain or solid with one tone. If the bedding or furniture have solid color it is advisable to select patterned and printed curtains.

Patterns also help to create textures in a plain room. Like from a distance small prints like dots and checks or even herringbone pattern gives visual texture