The modern home has many window treatments to choose from, though frankly most window treatments have been around for a long time and are still sought after. Some homemakers, for example, will never give up their allegiance to heavy, velvet drapes tied back with tassels and with shirred curtains beneath them. Here are some other, popular window treatments:
Shutters
Shutters have been around for hundreds of years and once were the only way for most people to regulate the heat, light and varmints that came in through the window, as glass was prohibitively expensive. Today, shutters are largely decorative, though many of them do come with louvers that can be opened and closed. Shutters can be painted to match the decor of any room. The best way to paint a shutter is to put it on a saw horse, spray paint one side, wait for it to dry, then turn it and spray paint the other side.
Blinds
Blinds can be pulled up or their slats angled to let in whatever amount of light the homeowner desires. Venetian blinds have two inch wide slats that are held together with cotton tape or cords made of nylon. Mini-blinds are just slenderer versions of Venetian blinds. Like shutters, they can come in all kinds of colors to go with the room’s decor. Many people find vertical blinds to be a particularly modern touch for the home. The slats are wide and can be made of fabric, wood, painted aluminum, PVC or plastic and some have grooves in which the homemaker can insert wallpaper or fabric strips that can complement the rest of the room.
Draperies
Draperies can come in all kinds of fabrics and the hardware and rods they hang from can come in all kinds of materials. Drapery rods can even be hung at several elevations. They can be hung about a quarter or the way down a tall window, or half way down a smaller window. They can be hung at the ceiling or hung at the window casement. Drapery panels can also be hung different ways. They can come with a rod pocket and simply be threaded on the rod. They can be hung on drapery rings and hung on ribbons tied with pretty, feminine bows. Draperies can come with valances, swags or pelmets and can be decorated with loops of chains, tassels or crystal beads. They can be hung over French doors with a cornice and held back by decorative medallions. They can be made into stacking panels, which are a good solution for large windows that don’t quite work with other treatments. Lining draperies protects them against sunlight and adds another layer of insulation to a room.
Curtains
According to some people, the only thing that differentiates a curtain from a drape is that a drape usually has a lining. So, many people think of curtains are made out for sheer fabrics and are simply there for decoration, though curtains can be made out of heavier fabrics. Still, curtains generally don’t keep out noise, insulate the home nor keep out a great deal of light the way draperies do. But they can be rolled up and down in ways that draperies usually aren’t.
The variety of window treatments seems only limited by the homemaker’s imagination!
