Home Decorating with Curtain Rods

Moving to your new dream home soon? Then, no doubt, you long for all the praises from your friends and neighbors for the home decor you planned for years. Certainly, there are several things to be done before you flaunt it.

Moving to your new dream home soon? Then, no doubt, you long for all the praises from your friends and neighbors for the home decor you planned for years. Certainly, there are several things to be done before you flaunt it. Giving a gorgeous look to your living room or bedroom requires a nicely dressed up window frame. Window frame, curtains, rods all plays a big role in dolling up your home. If you have not decorated it gracefully, something is going to amiss. And, definitely, you don't want to settle down with something that is less appealing to your lovely home!

You have decided on the stylish curtain panels and draperies to complement your beautiful window casing; and the next step is selecting the right curtain rods and brackets which match your interior design, layout and color. Things look seamless only if you strike wise dealings and right choices!

Find out a curtain rod design which goes well with your interior design in general.

Gone are the days where people go for some simple straight poles. Now, all of us know, there is a huge variety of trendy and smart curtain rods to decorate our window case aesthetically. You can find them in all classy and modern designs and colors. There are stacked square and stacked round models. You can also find ball, trophy and kamrak shapes drapery rods. Pick up the best design which well integrates with your other home decor articles.

What is the dominant color of your home decor? Just keep in mind this factor when you select your curtain rod as it has a lot to do with the overall color theme. If you don't want to mess it up, choose a color which harmonizes with your interior.

Another thing that gives you considerable menace would be getting a drapery rod that fit into the height and length of your window frame. You can get rid of this pest by paying attention to the dimension of the curtain rod you want to purchase. Your problem is solved when you choose curtain rod which can be stretched or dwindled.

The next point is, never ever compromise with the quality and durability, you may need to search for a sturdy curtain rod as some of them wobble and fail to give a good support to the heavy fabrics used for curtain panels, valance or draperies. You may want that heavy material for your window curtain just because you look for a perfect look and elegance! Therefore, when you go for selecting these curtain rods prefer a reputed online store that cater to interior designs and home decor.

Plus, you can go for other decorative fixings like stylish finials, chic drapery hooks and rings to add more flair to your living room or bedroom on the whole.

Choosing the Suitable Curtains for Your Kitchen

Drapes can set off any window. Whether it is a bedroom or day room, the choice of curtains helps to create a certain ambiance in a room. Kitchen curtains compliment the decor created by the cabinets, table tops, counter tops, and flooring, while also creating privacy and blocking beams of blinding sunlight. Kitchen curtains come in several sizes, styles and prints to match any theme.

A common theme found in many kitchens is the country theme. This theme creates an at-home feeling and inspires home cooked meals and dining. Finding a curtain theme that will match your table top settings, table cloth and dishes is important. Most country themed kitchen designs are plain or flowered patterns that come in red, blue, yellow and green. Kitchen drapery includes window panels and valances to match. Most window panels are tie back in style.

There are also kitchen curtains made of embroidered or lace material. Because kitchen windows are generally smaller than other windows in the house, they are usually set up as tiered panels or valances. With the tiered panel, the top panel will expose some of the window to allow sunlight to come through. There are endless themes to choose from at any curtain retailer.

Many manufacturers sell kitchen drapery at wholesale prices. With a slow economy, the Internet leads in sales of all types and curtains are no different. Many online distributors offer curtains at discounted prices such as Swags Galore and Budget Blinds. Because of the elimination of overhead, online stores are perhaps the most affordable option in buying drapery and rods. Make sure to measure your windows and purchase curtains that will adequately cover your kitchen window. Kitchen valances and curtains can be a great addition to top off the decor of all kitchens. They will help create any atmosphere you desire.

Window Blinds or Curtains

When it comes time to buy new window coverings, whether as part of a renovation, building a new home, or just redecorating a bit, one of the things you'll need to decide is whether to use window blinds or curtains. A big part of the decision is aesthetic, but there are practical considerations as well.

There are so many types of window coverings to choose from these days, that it can be a tough decision. And the costs can vary greatly, so the choice you make can have a big impact on your overall budget.

The first thing you need to decide is whether you like window blinds or curtains better. Practicality aside, choosing the coverings that you like better is important since you're going to be looking at them for years to come.

The reason for the window coverings should also be considered. Are you looking for light-blocking, privacy or noise-blocking, or maybe some combination of the three? Some types of window coverings are better suited to each than others.

Generally, window blinds or shades are more effective at blocking both light and sound than curtains. Curtains can have good light-blocking properties in some cases, but it depends on the material used and whether or not they have a liner. No matter what, curtains are generally not the best for blocking unwanted noise.

Another factor to keep in mind is where the windows are and how they're going to get used. If they're in a high traffic area, and are going to be opened and shut on a regular basis the cleaning and maintenance requirements should be considered. This is especially true if you have kids or pets in the area, since they tend to create messes quickly.

The last consideration I'll mention is the aesthetics of the window coverings. Some types of decor suit blinds better, while others suit curtains. For example, if you're decorating a room in an oriental style, bamboo blinds or shades are going to be a better match than curtains. Make sure you choose window coverings that will suit the room they're going to be used in.

Making Quick Set of Curtains and Valance for any Window

Making a quick set of curtains and a valance is something that you can do even if you don’t have much sewing experience. It’s just a matter of thinking through the process and calculating for fabric needed and knowing how to use a sewing machine.

Tools needed: calculator, pencil and paper, tape measure, yard stick, pins, scissors, iron, thread and sewing machine.

Decide what color or pattern will work best with your room décor now. Going to the fabric store is always one of my most fun times, I keep my imagination open and get swatches of fabrics (and prices) the first time to see what all my options are. Take swatches home and start eliminating them by laying them next to major parts of the already decorated room (couch, chair, tables, walls, etc). Once you’ve decided on your fabric start measuring.

To measure for material, decide how long you would like the valance to be. Where will you place the curtains in the window? Will you do them café style or halfway down the window? Maybe you only want a small space between the valance and curtain, use your imagination, draw a sketch of the window and do some placements on it to see what looks good.

Once you make these decisions, measure from your top reference point (top of window, top of rod) down to where you want the valance to end. Add additional 7” for top and bottom hems (this will give you 3” for top hem, which rod will go through and 4” for bottom hem). Let’s say you want your valance to be 10” long, add 7” for hem and you have 17”. Now measure for your bottom curtains. The same goes here, measure from top reference point (where your curtains will start) to just below or above the windowsill. Add the 7” to this length. Example: 32” bottom curtain length, add 7” = 39”. Write all this down. For width across, measure across window from outside to outside molding. Depending on how “full” you want the curtains, will be the deciding factor on how much material you purchase. Normal fullness recommendation would be twice the window width, or at least ½ again as much. We are going to be very basic, let’s say a normal window is 36” across X 60” length. This means you will need to calculate double the width for the valance and curtains, but remember the curtains are split in the middle. Most material will run 36”– 44” (regular material) to 60” (drapery & upholstery material) in width. If you choose a fabric width of 36”- 44”, it will be easier to just use the width doubled. If it's wider cut a little off the ends if needed.

Now it’s time to go get your material! Take your swatch, sketch and measurements with you! I would recommend a pliable fabric that is easy to work with (cotton, broadcloth, etc). Have your material store sales person help you with calculating the amount, and give you any details in laying out, especially if it has a design going a specific way or has a nap. In most cases, 3-3½ yards should be plenty per window.

Pre-wash the material if you choose. If you do not pre-wash material and wash the curtains later expecting them to be the same length, you may be surprised! If you have pre-washed your material, take it out of dryer, fold in half, wrong side out (if you can tell), like it was previously from store off the bolt, and lay it on your surface and smooth it out (table, floor, etc.). Do the same for all widths of material; this will make it easier to handle. You may want to touch up with an iron.

Time to mark the fabric and cut! Your material is now laid out (not many wrinkles). You’ll want to get an even line across the top using your yardstick. Mark a straight line with a pencil along the top (if darker material a pen will work or even chalk if you have it). Eyeball it to make sure it looks even, sometimes the fabric store will not cut it even so it’s up to you. This will be your starting reference point (this will be a cutting line for you). Get your calculations for the length for each: valance and curtain. Now measure from that straight line down for valance length needed, do this twice because it needs to be doubled for fullness (unless 60” width fabric). Make a mark. Do the same halfway across and on the folded edge. Now put your yardstick across from mark to mark and draw a line (this will also be a cutting line). Do the same for curtains. Each curtain side gets its own length (unless 60” width fabric). Grab a couple of pins and pin just inside the edges and lines of each section you marked. Cut along lines. You should have 4 pieces cut, 2 for the valance and 2 for each curtain side.

Once again were going to mark, this time on the right side of fabric. Open up your pieces, right side of fabric up, lay them out straight, using a pencil, lightly mark 3” down from straight top on each piece, make several marks across. Use yardstick to connect marks to make a straight line. Do the same on the bottom, 4” up from straight edge. Mark 1” in on both side edges of each piece. Mark all pieces. Make sure all marks are lightly placed on outside of fabric, but dark enough so you can see them. Sew two valance pieces together, so it's one long piece. Press seam flat. Fold under side edges of all pieces turning under ½” twice (will be 1” all together, pencil line should be on outside edges), press & stitch along inside folded under edge. Press up hems to inside of material along all marked lines. Fold them under ½ of width and press again. Stitch along that folded edge on inside. Holding fabric as you stitch to make sure fabric doesn’t bunch up. You should have a 2” bottom hem for each piece and a 1½” hem for top hem to slide curtain rods through. Make sure to backstitch when you begin sewing and at the end to reinforce stitching from coming out.