Window Curtains Easily Redefine Rooms

Window curtains are your framed view of the world from the inside of your home. They define your homes décor, augment your furniture colors, allow you to control the mood of the room and frame how you gaze out into the world.

Curtain and window treatments are not the first thing you normally consider when designing or redesigning a room. Truth of the matter is with the correct window curtain panels, and fit you can make the space radiate.

One of the most difficult tasks if you decide to buy window curtains and install them yourself is making the proper measurements. Follow these basic guidelines and hanging your curtains will give you the results you want:

• The recommended measurements are six inches above the frame of the window, three inches outside the window frame and three inches below the bottom of the frame.
  
• Measurements can vary depending on the window design you select. Once you decide the style of curtain you wish to hang you can better gauge the floor length required.
  
• Curtain rods should generally be hung about six inches above the window frame. Hanging it lower or higher is acceptable. Rods hung higher make the window stand out more visually as a room’s focal point.
  
• Side measurements should be measured to hang beyond the window. It is a good rule of thumb that the curtain should be twice the width of the window. This standard ensures that when they are fully drawn, no light coming through the window is blocked.
  
• The length of the window curtain panels is determined by the length you buy. If you want the curtains to drape on the floor, then they need to be long enough to gather about twelve inches of material.

As you consider these guidelines, be creative. You can certainly make the window a bit more striking by simply adding a valance to the window. Including valances to your window is an easy way to upgrade with little cost and minimal effort
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Window curtains valances can greatly alter the look of your windows. A valance is a swag or scarf that matches the drapery. It is floated across the top of the curtain over the curtain rod. This swag could be installed as a boxed design to cover rods and hardware or be draped across the top of the window opening to create interest.

As you consider your window design pay attention to the fabric you select. Fabrics like velvet and silk come in rich-colors and are often heavier and more lustrous. They can be manipulated into prearranged folds to fashion a formal look for your window.
 
If you prefer a more relaxed and spacious feel to the room then subtle colors or lighter weight fabrics are the better choice. Polyester and voile layered sheer curtains provide a casual and breezy feel to the space, while layered sheers add dimension to a window. So take these preferences into consideration.

Curtains and window treatments that include the use of valances, window curtains panels, layers, sheers and other fabrics are sure to inspire a design that fits your window decorating space.