Heading into the year\u2019s sunniest months is the perfect time to spend a few minutes on your windows \u2014 and what\u2019s covering them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because whether you’re trying to keep your fanciest rug and treasured photos from getting bleached by the sun, longing for privacy from the neighbors so you can ugly dance your heart out, or just eager for a style refresh that won’t drain your wallet, curtains, drapes, and window treatments are your hidden design superheroes \u2014 getting things done and rarely getting enough credit for doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today we\u2019ll do a quick review of curtains, drapes, and window treatments, learning what\u2019s unique to each and how to best use them in your home. So whether you’re wanting to come home to something out of the pages of Architectural Digest<\/em> or just come home to a space that makes your heart sing and helps your mind sleep, our time today is for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before we dig in more deeply, let’s review the key cast members of today\u2019s production at a glance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, now you have a clearer picture of the characters starring in our little production today. Let\u2019s give them each a closer look and talk about how you can use them in your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Curtains play the role denim plays in your wardrobe. They\u2019re versatile, always in style, and they create a vibe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They diffuse and filter light rather than blocking it entirely. So they\u2019re great at helping you influence and soften the light, but not shut out the world. And \u2014 of course \u2014 they’re an excellent decorative element, elevating your existing style or introducing an interesting pop of color or pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Style Lane: <\/strong>Thanks to the myriad of color, pattern, and textural options, curtains are fully style-fluid. What\u2019s your<\/em> style? Great! Curtains are perfect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Best Use:<\/strong> Really, most rooms. But especially living rooms, kitchens, and home office\/guest rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Want a room to feel <\/em>more open<\/em><\/a> and airy?<\/em> Soften the windows, diffuse the light, and add privacy without visual restraints with sheer curtains, like coconut<\/a> white linen sheer. Windows looking stark and naked in an otherwise finished space?<\/em> Try a simple, pale silver<\/a> grey striped eco-friendly curtain. Loving a room, but feeling like it needs a little special sauce?<\/em> Try curtains in elegant teal and aqua watercolor<\/a> leaves or a Tuscan<\/a> sun botanical pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro Tip:<\/strong> Curtains have a magic trick. They can make spaces feel bigger. As we’ve talked about before<\/a>, just install your curtain rod above the window frame to create the illusion of taller ceilings. Pretty cool, right? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Simply put, drapes are the heavy hitters, coming in strong with function and style. Usually made of luxurious fabrics like velvet, damask, jacquard, and embroidered fabrics, they\u2019re heavier than curtains and are often lined to enhance the blackout functionality, add privacy, and to provide energy and noise saving insulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Style Lane:<\/strong> Regardless of your overall design style, drapes are perfect for any space you want to bring more lux vibes to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best Use:<\/strong> Drapes couldn\u2019t be more ideal for bedrooms, dining rooms, and entertainment rooms. And, again, the more opulent and luxurious the better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A bedroom goes from sleep pod to sanctuary with drapes in earthy canyon<\/a> copper blackout fabric or juniper<\/a> green velvet. Your dining room gets the royal treatment with drapes in gold Victoria<\/a> pattern damask or an azure<\/a> traditional floral pattern fabric. And your entertainment room shifts from makeshift home theater to \u201cHooray for Hollywood!<\/em>\u201d with cabernet<\/a> red velvet or midnight<\/a> blue denim drapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro Tip:<\/strong> You can have both<\/em><\/strong> the benefits of privacy\/darkening and<\/em><\/strong> plenty of light when you want it, too. Use a double curtain rod and hang sheer curtains like a natural<\/a> tone contemporary patterned sheer fabric on the inside and something like a sage<\/a> green blackout fabric on the outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, \u201cwindow treatments\u201d can<\/em> refer to anything you do to decorate or add function to a window. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But the kind of window treatments that depart from curtains and drapes are things like Roman shades, sliding blinds, cellular blinds, and more. With all the above, a valance (one of those embellishments up around the top of a window) can be added as a stylish flourish, serving double-duty covering up the mechanical bits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Style Lane:<\/strong> Shades and blinds fit most styles, but they work especially well in simplicity-oriented vibes like Japandi, mid-century, and modern minimalist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best Use:<\/strong> Blinds and Roman shades are helpful in rooms with small windows, or if you have a pronounced modern vibe. Also, rooms where curtains or drapes feel like they\u2019d be too much, but you’d still like some ability to control the light or to add a bit of design flair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro Tip:<\/strong> Check out this handy DIY tutorial walking you through making your own<\/a> custom valance from our partner-in-making-your-fabric-life-easier, Aimee at Artisan Upholstery Studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Designers and enthusiasts have moved beyond just using curtains and drapes for blocking light or keeping your business from nosy neighbors. Like these inspiring ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here at the largest<\/a> upholstery fabric store online, we love zhushing<\/em> up the personality of any space with the fabulous functionality of curtains and drapes. When you’re ready to pull back the curtain on your home\u2019s next refresh with window treatments, we\u2019re here to help<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Curtains <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Difference Between Curtains And Drapes Made Super Easy <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Easy Breezy: Where And How To Use Curtains in Your Home <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Delicious Drama: Where And How To Use Drapes in Your Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Window Treatments Are \u2014 And How To Use Them In Your Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3 Creative Ways Curtains And Drapes Can Do More For Your Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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