Curtains are one of the finishing touches in any space and they can have a major impact on the atmosphere of the room. However, they are much more than simply decorative window dressing--they serve a practical purpose, as well. Curtains not only affect the amount of natural light that enters a room, but also the amount of privacy. With the seemingly endless array of fabric, color and stylistic choices, finding the right drapes can seem a bit complicated. However, simply determining a few things ahead of time will make the shopping process much easier and much more fun.
To begin, decide if you want the curtains for decorative purposes only, to block out bright sunlight, for privacy or a combination of all three. Many people choose to have decorative fabric curtains with a sheer layer or opaque panels. The sheer fabric allows sunlight to filter into the room while preventing anyone outside from actually seeing in the window. During the day, the curtains can be pulled back with fabric pulls or simply pushed to the side of the window. At night, the curtains can be closed for complete coverage.
The curtains can either blend in with the rest of the room by matching the wall color or they can stand out as an accent piece similar to a pillow, rug, blanket or bedding. When hanging the curtains, position the rod above the actual window to make the window, ceiling and room appear larger. A matching or contrasting sash, scarf or valance can be placed above the curtains for added effect. For instance, solid curtain panels can be given some extra pizzazz with a printed sash, and the fabric can be adjusted according to the season. In the colder months, a thicker fabric such as velvet or velour will work well, while in the summer months you'll likely prefer a light, breezy fabric like cotton or silk.