Choosing the Best Window Treatments for Your Home

Outfit your home with designer-inspired window treatments that are just as practical as they are pretty.

By: Brian Patrick Flynn

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©Sarah Dorio Photography

Relaxed Roman Shade

Roman shades are an excellent alternative to blinds or drapes. The shades help soften a window's harsh lines while also helping control light and heat. Relaxed Roman shades are characterized by the curvature of their bottoms. These shades are an ideal fit for traditional-style rooms or those packed with feminine decor.

Flat Roman Shades

Flat Roman shades are the most common style of Roman shades due to their ability to work with both masculine and feminine spaces, as well as a wide array of design aesthetics. They're characterized by the straight edge along the bottom of the fabric.

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Functional Panels

Anytime you're estimating for window treatments, it's important to first decide if you need functional or stationary panels. Functional panels, or those used for privacy and light control, require enough fabric to be drawn open and closed and are higher in price than stationary panels.

Stationary Panels

Stationary panels are strictly decorative and used to soften a window's hard edges. Since these panels are stationary, they require significantly less fabric and labor to make than functional panels.

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Cartridge Pleats

Pleating is a stylish way to tailor window treatments to a specific design style. The drapery panels used in this living room were constructed using cartridge pleats, an ideal fit for traditional, formal and transitional interiors.

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Soft-Top Construction

Soft-top drapery panels are hemmed and lined yet void of pleats altogether. The result is a much more casual look which fits coastal, bohemian, eclectic or rustic design styles.

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Drapery Rods

Drapery hardware, although often overlooked, makes a big impact on window treatments. When choosing drapery rods, consider those with returns which curve along their ends; this seamless look adds a tailored, architectural touch to windows.

Drapery Lengths

The term "break" refers to when the bottom of a drapery panel meets the floor. High-traffic rooms with children and pets are best fit for a 1/4-inch break which leaves the bottom hem of the panel slightly raised above the floor. This type of break makes everyday cleaning much easier since the hem never comes into direct contact with the ground. Formal spaces with low traffic are ideal for puddled drapery breaks in which extra fabric is added along the bottom.