One of the most overlooked and misunderstood pieces of interior design amongst typical home owners are curtain poles. You may not be inclined to believe it, but the right choice of curtain poles can dramatically improve the whole look of a room. As any designer will tell you (and they ought to know; designers spend much of their time thinking about exactly these sort of issues), those little accents make a huge difference.

Curtain poles come in a much larger range of varieties than you may realize. While wooden poles used to be the norm, metal poles in an array of different finishes are becoming more and more common these days. Some burnished or artfully brushed metal curtain poles can really brighten up that drab kitchen and give the entire room a different look.

One common mistake with curtain poles is mistaking the poles themselves and the finials. Finials are the pieces on the end of curtain poles, and can have striking effects in and of themselves. Changing the finials on poles can completely change their look, and provide yet another way to accent the decor of a room. Like brackets and curtain rings, these are a great way to add a little extra flair to any room in your home.

You can find curtain poles in nearly any look you could want; they can be matched to any sort of decorating scheme you or your designer have in mind. Steel, brass and copper among other metals are available in many different finished. Finial shapes add excitement to these poles, coming in variations such as torch, sceptre, teardrop and more intricate shapes such as knots and geometric formations. Obviously, the classic standby, wood is still available and suits many decors well.

Rosewood and teak are both popular and attractive choices. Wooden curtain poles may also be found in an array of differing colors and finishes and with varied finial shapes.

Before choosing curtain poles, you'll want to carefully consider the look you want for the room in which they will be mounted. This will help you make a more informed decision about material, finish and what sort of finial will best suit the design scheme for your home. When making your curtain pole purchase, choose a a shop that can offer you the widest range of design options; you'll want to see and compare before making your home design decision.