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[C1338]Curtain And Window Treatment

by Terry Henman, Ter

Pretty pastels are a great way to bring a subtle touch of warmth to a room without being overpowering. A mixture of duck egg blue teamed with pastel shades of rose pinks and sage greens are ideal colour combinations to use if you want to achieve a sense of harmony and tranquillity to a room. As these are pale shades they are the ideal solution of creating the illusion of more space in smaller rooms or in rooms which have limited natural light.

Trendy interior designs have coordinated chocolate tones with duck egg blue and ivory tones to inject colour into window dressings and soft furnishings. The latest trends of having a neutral shade for the main body of a curtain with stripes of different complimentary colours offer a look which is chic and elegant, especially when the curtains are full length and just skim the floor.

Designs are also integrating the practicality of using curtain headings which are completely hassle free and yet provide stunning looks to windows. Tab tops and eyelet headings can quite literally be brought home unwrapped and hung within a matter of minutes, which meets the needs of today's consumers who want instant stylish looks with the minimum amount of fuss.

Modern homes can use stylish metal curtain poles, which are available in a wide variety of colours and textures. This season gun metal greys and polished silver are extremely popular and are the perfect choice if you use eyelet style curtains as the eyelets are predominately silver tones rather than bronze or gold.

Another great advantage of using poles rather than the more traditional style of curtains tracks is the ability to add some wonderful end finials which coordinate with the other furnishings in your rooms. The shepherd's crook style remain popular, however beautiful glass finials which have a swirl or bubbles of coloured glass within them are truly striking and offer to enhance your window treatments quite effortlessly.

Whatever the colour scheme of your room there are wide varieties of different styles of ready made curtains to suit. Of course, if you prefer there are vast ranges of curtain fabrics available for you to make your own curtains, blinds and soft furnishings.

When choosing ready made curtains it is imperative to get the right size! Measuring guides are available from online curtain retailers which provide advice and guidance on how to measure your window dimensions correctly. These retailers are also able to provide you with free samples of fabrics to ensure the colour and quality of the fabrics meet your requirements.

Opt for curtains which have a neutral colour with trendy stripes of different widths across the top third, as this will offer you versatility with the type of furnishings and remain in style should you decide to re-decorate the room. Select Harvard curtains with their coordinated plain tie backs and matching cushions which bring a contemporary yet practicality to your home.

Selecting new window coverings for your home can be a daunting task because there are so many options to choose from. Materials, colors, and designs vary so much that narrowing your choices down can be overwhelming. Knowing that you have to live with your choice for a long time also adds pressure in making the right decision.

In order to make your task easier, first look at the rooms you want to work with. What is the style of the room, and what is its purpose? Answering those questions prior to shopping can make this process much less taxing.

Contemporary rooms tend to be minimally decorated. Clean lines and solid colors are typical. Choose window coverings that follow the lead of the rest of the room. Avoid curtains unless they are solid and sleek. No frills allowed. Simple shades are your best bet, as they complement the design and architecture of the room.

The traditional look is one that exemplifies class and comfort. Beautiful good quality drapes work best in this type of room, as they create a sense of warmth and formality. Be sure to buy the best materials you can afford, or you risk cheapening the look of the room.

In casual living spaces, shades and blinds are good bets. You want functionality and durability. High end tapestries would look out of place, and simple neutral shades may make the room appear cold and uninviting. Select colors that are vibrant and go well with the rest of the decor, and be sure to pick a material that can be easily cleaned if you live with pets and children.

In terms of the purpose of the room, look at what you use the room for on a daily basis, and then consider what your window covering needs are. If privacy is an issue, then consider heavy curtains or rolling shades. Partial privacy allows for the option of horizontal blinds in either metal or wood finishes. You also need to keep in mind the demands that you will make on the coverings in each particular room. The bedroom for instance will likely offer little wear and tear on your draperies, but the bathroom and the kitchen will see a lot of heat and humidity. The materials that you choose need to be able to withstand these conditions.

Also keep in mind temperature. Do you want to keep light out, but hold heat in, or vice versa? Wood based window coverings such as blinds and shutters are the most versatile in terms of usability. They cool your house down in the summer, and hold in heat during the winter. Wood is also easy to clean, and is able to stand up to daily demands. Wood products have a long life expectancy, and are available in a wide variety of colors.

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About Author

Both Terry Henman & Doug Jones are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Terry Henman has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Family and Marketing. Terrys Fabrics offer a wide range of fabrics and curtains, including contemporary styled