Selecting the Best Window Treatments

That's a good question to ask. Do you really need - and want - window treatments. Not every window has to be cover and there's a case to be made for no window treatment at all, especially if you have a magnificent view. The questions you need to ask yourself are:

*Do I need the privacy?
*Will it complete my décor?

Even if you decide you don't need to cover your windows completely, you may want to add some details to give it a finished look or to emphasize architectural details. Valances or swags are two great solutions.

Before you buy new window treatments, take a look at the style of your window. The best window treatments are the ones that work with your home architecture. If you wide, decorative moldings, it would be a shame to cover them up with a full set of draperies. And if you have something ugly (including a view) maybe covering them up is the best thing to do. You'll also want to consider material, lined draperies and the overall decorating style.

The basic of all window treatments are curtain panels. And even among those, you have a lot of choices.

Ah, what's in a name? In this case a curtain might be a drape and drape might be a curtain. One thing is for sure, they both window coverings.

Curtains are generally considered to be lightweight panels. They might be called curtain panels or rod pocket panels. These flat panels might be lined (or not) and have a pocket or heading at the top that's threaded through a curtain rod.

Draperies are generally made from heavier fabrics and lined (they may not be, but the lining gives them weight and body. They're also pleated at the top (and there are lot of variations on a pleat) and hand on a traverse rod that opens and closes the drapes with a pulley system.

While lacy curtain panels or Traditional-looking draperies look really great, sometimes you want something simple. Blinds are the perfect alternatives and probably one of the most used. There are a variety of blinds, from affordable vinyl mini-blinds to wide-slate wood blinds. They're great topped with valances or swags or framed by simple curtain panels.

Another alternative is Roman shades. These are generally fabric that works on a pulley system that pulls them up like blinds. Popular offshoots of these shades are ones made from bamboos and other natural materials.

Fabric or mini-blinds don't do a thing for you, it's okay. There are still plenty ideas. Three favorites are shutters, stained glass or privacy film. Each can bring beautiful and unique look to your home.

Shutters, along with animal skins, were probably some of the first window treatments. And shutters are still popular today. And there's a variety here, too, including solid panels, louvered shutters in a variety of widths and shutters that use fabric or glass inserts.
Stained glass panels are a beautiful and elegant alternative to window treatments, but a can be pricy. That why a lot of folks like faux stained glass designs the can add to the windows themselves.

Privacy film is a new alternative is a simple to apply film that's added to the windows with water. They stick by themselves. Designs are as varied as stained glass, lacy looking patterns.