Have you ever watched one of those home decorating shows and heard a designer remark, “Those window treatments are so outdated!” If you’re like me, you look at the window treatments and try to figure out what’s wrong with them. If they look fine to you, then chances are your fashion sense needs a bit of fine tuning. This article will provide you with a crash course in modern window treatments so you’ll know what to do to bring your home into the present.

The newest thing in window treatments combines clean, simple lines with eco-friendly materials, because the trend in home decoration is emphasizing comfort and relaxation as well as eliminating that over-dressed, cluttered look. When we’re talking clutter here, we don’t just mean the toys scattered around the room. We’re talking about the remnants of past redecorations including bulky, heavy window coverings and the fluffy balloon valances you were so in love with 20 years ago.

Modern window treatments emphasize the basic, from clean lines to basic fabrics. That isn’t to say that you can’t create an eye-popping look for your room, but just leave all the flowered and ruffled curtains in the store. Choose something simple, whether in a plain color or a lively pattern, and find some wooden or metal rods to hang them on. All you need to do then is add some creative tie-backs, and you’re good to go. Blinds are still an excellent choice, too, but not the metal blinds of the ’80s. Look at samples in home improvement stores to get an idea of what’s being used now.

With environmental concerns rising to the forefront of our society, many people are choosing modern window treatments made from eco-friendly materials such as bamboo and hemp. They are also using natural fibers in home decorating, like cotton and linen. Blinds made of wood, faux-wood, and bamboo give your home a more comfortable look than the old, bland aluminum ones did.

The scope of modern window treatments is somewhat limited by the selection of natural products available, but these modern amenities are more of a sign of our times. Window treatments no longer try and take over a room. They work in harmony with the other furnishings in your home to create the uncluttered look and feel of a modern home.

Do you want to know more about window treatments? Covering Your Windows also has information on faux wood blinds.

It is very possible to combine several types of window treatments, traditionally homes would either put roller blinds or timber blinds, curtains & sheers with pelmets or swags & tails.

Now with the ever expanding range of products consultants will always recommend using several applications on windows if suited. Your home can now have plantation shutters intermingled with roller blinds, blinds and curtains.

One of the most interesting facets to window treatments is that many material suppliers have seen the advantage of expanding their range of sheer treatments. Many new materials have been released onto the Australian market over the last 6 months, following heavily behind the European soft furnishing industry.

It is now very possible to have a roller blind or blind recessed into your window frame and then have a modern sheer material over the top to soften the look and feel of the window treatment. The sheer curtain can be fixed or generally using a pencil pleat finish can be installed onto a track that allows the curtain or sheer to open and close.

Timber Venetians , Shutters and Plantations shutters also can have an extra tailored look utilizing a pelmet or swag and tail effect. This effect allows the blind or shutter to remain the main feature buts adds an extra finish to the window .

So remember when considering your blinds or curtains that many applications can be applied to one window. The same concept can be applied when combining different designs in curtain materials and blind designs. Plain or textured.

Curtain Court

One significant component of a house interior is how modern windows are being treated. Modern style of windows adds beauty to a room. Picking a wrong style or design may spoil the entire interior of a house. There are a variety of options which can be considered by a homeowner or the designer in preparing a window. Some homeowners and designers prefer contemporary designs and some usually go for the conventional look.

It is up to the homeowner how he will beautify his home or up to the designer how he will make a home attractive. One of the challenges with regards to contemporary window treatments is how to give a casual room a laid-back window treatment. To prevent windows from having such odd appearance, here are some options that one may consider:

Prefer a formal look. Elegance and luxury is reflected in a window with a formal look. When giving a window a formal look, the draperies must be floor-length or quite long. The symmetry of windows is one of the most distinctive features of a home that is adorned in a formal style. The window’s top treatment typically gives the final touch. So, if one is in search for a modern look, consider a straightedge that comes across the top.

Formal window treatments are usually applied to wide rooms which have tall windows and high ceilings. A room will appear to be out of proportion if the same modern-day window treatment is utilized in a narrow and small room. There is no need for the window covering to be broad in order to show a solid impression.

Significance of a suitable decor. It is necessary to have a decor that is appropriate not only for the room but also for the windows to have a formal look and feel. Modern day window treatments are plain and simple yet chic and stylish. A homeowner may consider the use of a shutter, shades, blinds and curtains in different designs. Finishes and colors may also be considered to suit all diverse decors.

Partial treatment also contributes to the aesthetic, elegance and quality of the room. In the past, a fabric’s own texture gives life to the cloth. The current trend is towards the utilization of least drapery.

To explore more options in window design, visit: http://www.fayetteville-windows.com

How you dress your windows is an important piece of your overall design and a lot of thought should go into the style and fabric used for your bedroom window treatments.

How do you know which window treatment is right in your bedroom?

There are 3 basic types of window treatments that can be used alone or in combinations. Here’s some tips on these basic types and what style of room you might choose them for.

Curtains and Drapes

Curtains and drapes are a style of window treatment that most of us can recognize but there’s many variations on this old standby. If your bedroom design is simple, you might choose just plain sheers as these will go well with many themes including a romantic theme, a modern theme and anything in between.

Valances can be used to soften the top of the window. They are great if you don’t want to cover up a great view but also don’t want the window to look too bare. Typically valances are made from fabric but you can build them form wood and decorate them with an aged or stencilled paint to go with your Tuscan or French country design. Fabric valances can go with almost any bedroom decorating theme depending on the fabric you choose and can be used in conjunction with sheers to give you a bit of privacy.

Drapes are an elegant bedroom window treatment. If you have a romantic, French or Victorian theme some heavy drapes in rich fabrics can transform your bedroom into one fit for a queen. Heavy drapes look best on tall windows, but if you short squatty windows like most homes built in the 60’s - 80’s don’t let that deter you from using great drapes. You can always just keep them closed to hide the window behind and no one will ever know the difference!

Wooden Shutters and Blinds

Indoor wooden window blinds are a great way to add privacy to your bedroom and can be used alone or with curtains, drapes or valances.

There are 2 styles of shutters - plantation shutters and café shutters.

Plantation shutters cover the whole window and have louvers which can be opened and closed to let light in or provide privacy. These shutters go great with a plantation style look, a country look or a coastal cottage look.

The café shutters are the kind that cover only the bottom half of the window and swing open to let light in. These also look nice in a country or beach style bedroom and are perfect for a Paris apartment style as well.

Fabric Blinds

Fabric blinds add a nice touch to any bedroom and can be decorated and embellished with whatever you want. Fringe, pom-poms and ribbon are just a few of the great ways to make these bedroom window treatments stand out.

Roman blinds work well for childrens rooms and informal styles such as cottage or beach style decor. These shades fold up to expose the window during the day and roll down at night.

Festoon blinds are puffy with lots of fabric. They are quite ornate and work best in a romantic style bedroom such as a Victorian, French or Italian motif. Festoon blinds look best on wide windows and might not be good for small rooms as they can tend to be a bit overwhelming.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.bedroom-designs-and-decorations.com where you can learn more about popular bedroom decorating styles.

Contemporary window treatments, are a very important element of the interior of the house. It adds to the beauty of the room. A wrong choice and the entire interior will be spoiled. There a number of options. Some people prefer the conventional look, while some will prefer the contemporary designs. It’s more a matter of personal choice. The biggest blunder will be when you select a casual window treatment for your casual room. To avoid such weird looks let’s see what can be the different feasible options.

On one hand if you prefer a formal look, it will reflect luxury. The draperies in the formal look are pretty long and are floor-length. The window treatment has a mere layer under it. There is heavy drapery. This drapery is tied behind. The final touch is given by the top treatment. In fact it is the top treatment that will set the entire mood of the interior. On the other hand if you are in search of a contemporary look prefer a straightedge that comes across the top. As long as you are not looking for a traditional look don’t have a top treatment that is scalloped and jabots on the ends.

Formal window treatments are in fact meant for rooms that have high ceilings and the windows are tall. The room should be huge such that the draperies are long and proportionate to the room’s size. If the same contemporary window treatment is used in a small and narrow room it will look out of proportion.

It is not essential for the window covering to be huge in order to give a solid impression. Partial treatment also adds to the beauty and elegance of the room. In the past it was the nature of the fabric that gave life to the cloth. The rooms used to have so much drapery that it was difficult to see each other in the same room. The present trend is towards the use of least possible drapery. The room and drapery speak for themselves. At times they speak about each other and direct us.

Visit us for more tips and ideas on contemporary window treatments and bedroom window treatments.

Windows can add variety to your home by bringing the natural beauty of the outdoors in. But sometimes that is not enough. There are various problems that some homeowners face with their windows. And these problems demand a solution.

So let’s discuss some of the problems and what their solutions can be.

Problem: The hardware of your primary window treatment is unappealing. This is something that happens very often because some very useful window treatments have unsightly hardware. This can turn your window into an eyesore.

Solution: Don’t limit yourself as to what window treatment to use because of this. Choose the window treatment that is right for your home and individual situation. You just need to add a valance you love to cover up the hardware; and you have the perfect window treatment!

Problem: You would love to have beautiful soft treatments like drapery but the room is too small and you are afraid that drapery will be too overpowering for it?

Solution: A valance is a more appropriate window treatment solution for a small room than sumptuous drapes because it makes it feel more open and airy. Valances are like mini draperies, they have the beauty yet they lack the volume. Similar to draperies, valance styles can range from simple to elaborate; and they can be made with the same designer fabrics, unique hardware, and intricate trimmings as draperies.

Problem: You love draperies but you feel that they’re just too pricey.

Solution: Some types of valances require very little fabric which makes them considerably more budget-friendly.

Problem: Your window is in a place where privacy and light control is not an issue and you prefer not to block the view; yet you do not feel comfortable leaving your window bare.

Solution: Dress your window with a valance. You will give it a finished look without blocking the view.

Problem: You have two different sized windows on one wall. It makes your room look lopsided.

Problem: Your window is disproportioned; either tall and narrow or short and wide.

Solution: Place or size your valance strategically to change the size or shape of the window.

As you see valances are very useful when decorating your home and they solve a lot of decorating dilemmas involving windows that you might have. Now all you have to do is to decide which valance style you like best and your problems are solved.

The Window Treatment Information Center is a full resource for window treatments. Here you will find a lot of information on window treatments like how to decorate specialty shaped windows and unique window treatment ideas. For various styles of valances you can use to decorate your windows go to http://www.the-window-treatment-expert.com/valances

In the old days, people hung curtains over their windows to hide themselves from the eyes of the world. Some might even hang one of those clangy old metal blinds with the tangled strings underneath their curtains to block the light. In short, windows were boring, because people were looking for functionality rather than aesthetics. Now however, people have almost an infinite number of choices when selecting window treatments. Do you want blinds, shutters, drapes, or shades? Do you want blinds made of wood, faux wood, or metal? What color of tapes do you want on your faux wood blinds?

Using Shutters Inside

After years of being used on the outsides of houses, people are bringing shutters indoors as attractive window treatments. They come in a variety of styles and finishes, are easily opened and closed, and make it easier to control the amount of light coming into a room. In addition to being an attractive addition to your home, they also ensure a great measure of privacy when closed. By using different sizes of shutters you can produce different effects. You can also have the center control section of each shutter removed and fill the area with fabric to match your room for a coordinated look.

Roman Shades

Although no one seems to know if Roman shades are historically accurate, they are a nice alternative to more traditional window treatments. Roman shades are made from fabric, and almost any fabric you could choose can be made up into one. You can achieve different looks by the type of materials you choose. Solid colors and tone-on-tone patterns give you a cleaner look. You can even get Roman shades made of grasses like bamboo, reed, and hemp which will make your room feel very natural and more casual.

Blinds Styled for Sliding Doors

Vertical blinds are ideal for use on sliding doors or patios. Unlike old, white blinds, you can get vertical blinds in many colors and materials which will give your home a sleek, more modern look. Many blinds are made out of vinyl for ease of cleaning, or out of fabric to give a coordinated look to your room. They easily slide sideways giving you access to doors and patios.

How About Trying a Window Topper?

Window toppers are probably the simplest window treatments around. You can take a box made of finished or covered wood and hang it on the top of your window casing to make a stylish window cornice. A valance is nothing more than a piece of fabric which hangs down a short way from a rod, and scarves and swags can hang down lower on both sides or unevenly for a different look.

Just as there are all kinds of families with all kinds of tastes in window treatments, contemporary window treatments come in a huge variety of styles and designs. You can narrow the selection to a manageable level by knowing how you want to use the treatment, the colors you are looking for, how much light you want to allow into your home, and how much privacy you need them to supply. And they’ll look great, too!

Do you want to know more about blinds and shutters, and unique window valances?

Hunter Douglas is the manufacturer of many styles of high-end custom window treatments. Indulging yourself in their gorgeous shades, sheers, panels, and louvers can fill your home with unmatched style and ambiance. By choosing fine Hunter Douglas Window treatments, your taste and personality will be apparent to all who enjoy your very special home.

You will find that Hunter Douglas window fashions come in collections much like couture clothing. The Alustra collection is a diverse combination of elegant, custom window shades, sheers and blinds. Nowhere else will you find the sumptuous fabrics and exquisite details that are an integral part of the Alustra collection.

Window shadings in the Silhouette collection provide the perfect amount of shading to the décor of any room. Just enough light is allowed to filter through the special fabrics which Silhouette shades are made of. Silhouette shades are built with discretion in mind. If you want to hide them completely, there is a compartment at the top of the shades where you can do so. They can also be raised and lowered to completely cover a window or to uncover whatever part of the window you wish to leave open.

Silhouette window shadings can be raised, lowered, and tilted using the same single cord. Hunter Douglas has taken care that their shades are safer for children and pets by its use of a continuous cord loop system and remote controls for raising and lowering them.

Honeycomb shades are available in both vertical and horizontal styles. There are both vertical shades and side-to-side gliding shades that you can purchase depending on your application. Horizontal blinds are made so that you can drop the top down or raise the bottom up which gives you the option of allow light into a room and still maintain your privacy.

You can get a custom shutter system from Hunter Douglas that will cover any size window or door. They have three different lines of shutters available: Heritance hardwood shutters, Palm Beach polysatin shutters, and New Style hybrid shutters. With any of these custom styles you’ll find only the highest degree of craftsmanship, versatility, and performance, traits which Hunter Douglas products are famous for. With the custom shutter collection, you are able to close them to a point where they filter out 100% of the light This capability guarantees maximum privacy for your family.

To further customize your window treatments, Hunter Douglas offers a number of different hidden operating systems which include the open bypass system, the bi-fold track system, and the bypass rack system.

You will find both vertical and horizontal blinds that come in aluminum, hardwood, faux wood, fabric, and textured vinyl. No matter whether your windows are standard rectangular windows or feature arches, circles, or other shapes, you can have Hunter Douglas custom window treatments made to fit them. All window treatment packages are made with the high quality and craftsmanship that Hunter Douglas is known for and include superior operating mechanisms.

Window treatments from Hunter Douglas can give you the ultimate in beauty and durability. You can take pride in knowing your windows look their best from both the inside and the outside.

Do you want to know more about window treatment ideas? Covering Your Windows also has information on decorating with curtains.

Whether you have custom or store-bought window treatments, you can do something today to dress them up, make them look different, and enhance the whole look in the process.

Here are 3 quick and easy tips.

#1. Add Beads. Beaded trims are available in 100’s of choices at many local stores: from mass market to more upscale boutiques. One way to use them, is to take a string of beads and swag it over your valance. Another is to add them to the bottom of the valance or along the sides of the panels. If you don’t want to do it yourself, a local seamstress or a window treatment shop will happily add them on. Or you can accomplish it yourself through the many no-sew, iron-on options available for a DIY-er.

#2. Cords and Tassels. Similar to beaded choices, decorative cords are available in your nearby mass and custom markets. They add a very special custom-looking touch to your windows. So, if you have pulled back curtains or drapery panels on your windows now, what do you use to hold them back? Is it something special like a nice and weighty tassel?

#3. Contrasting fabric. This is a little bit more involved than simply adding a tassel, but really isn’t complicated at all and can have a dramatic effect in the room. Consider pulling the colors of the room together, by adding a contrasting border to your panels. Or it can be a contrasting insert at the bottom 1/3 of the panel. Or it can be a contrasting cuff at the top of a panel or a valance. The main idea is that your existing window treatment gets a punch of another color, which happens to bring into it other colors from the room.

Why would you want to make these changes.

Here are 3 main reasons:

Window treatment looks better. It’s just as simple as that. Adding these embellishments make your treatment look more rounded, finished-off, and custom.

Décor gets a face-lift - even if it’s a little touch, is something new and extra that you didn’t have before.

Room looks more pulled-together - as your room evolves with new accessories, window treatments can stay “current” with your new additions. As an example, you’ve found a pretty beaded lamp shade - why not bring those similar beads up to the windows?

How do you know you need to dress up your window treatments?

Ask yourself these questions.

Does my room look completely pulled together?
Does it feel like something is missing?
Do I feel like a change (that won’t cost a lot)?
Do I want my windows to have a more custom look, but don’t want to spend a lot of money?

See, you get the idea.

Vita Vygovska, Owner of V2K Window Décor and More, a full-service custom window treatment company, will transform your ordinary window to extraordinary with professionalism from beginning to end. To set an appointment or receive your free Special Report: Top 10 Know How’s on Custom Window Treatments plus the ‘Curtain Call’ ezine, visit http://www.vitav2k.com

Are you looking for the latest home decorating ideas for trendy window treatments? You have come to the right place. An attractive room can be transformed to a spectacular room by simply adding an appropriate window treatment; they change the whole look of the room. The latest trends in window treatments include color, luxe fabrics, silk panels, and puddled window drapery panels.

Color

Color is a big trend. It used to be that everything was in creams and different shades of cream, such as darker cream, beige, and ivory. The color trends right now have moved to blues. There are so many different kinds of blues out there on the market. You will find teal, sea foam green, aquamarine and baby blue. And there are some really neat jewel tones in gold, orange and persimmon that are trendy. Brown continues to be a popular decorating color. So it’s no longer that drab, white room.

Luxe Fabrics
Luxe fabrics are rich and showy with bold colors and textures that want to be touched. Popular fabrics in this category are silks, velvets, damasks, fur, leather and suede. Even though the overall design trend leans toward simplicity, the luxe fabric trend will remain popular with those who are looking for embellishment and lushness. This trend includes beaded tassels and lavish trimmings.

Silk Panels

My favorite fabric right now is probably silk and luxury silks that have different designs on them or different designs sown into them. Silk can be very simple or it can be very luxurious. You can take a solid chocolate brown silk and light up a whole room with it by draping it on the window. It has a bold richness that cannot be matched!

Silk came onto the decorating scene last year and is still going strong. Silk is more expensive for window treatments, but the shine and opulence of the fabric instantly awakens a dull room. Silk is that straight streamline, mostly for anybody who wants a very sleek look in their home.

Puddled Window Drapery Panels

This type of drapery is so-called because the fabric settles onto the floor almost like a puddle. It is a very lavish and luxurious style, but is still a fashionable choice in many homes. Smaller puddles of 3-5 inches are desirable so your room does not look overdone.

To help keep your home organized, download a free copy of the ebook “The Essential Guide to Organizing Your Home”. Download it free here: Organizing Tips.

Lynn Cressy has a love for decorating and shopping for home decor. She owns a home decor web site and writes articles on home decorating and organizing your home and your life.