Curtains galore! Find the right ones for you!

Curtains add style to any room!

Are your rooms looking drab and boring? Have you lived with the same interior decor since Dynasty was prime time Thursdays? Replacing furniture and floor coverings is a costly solution, so think curtains! They are a fast and affordable way to update your room. Coordinate your new curtains with fun new rods and finials and your room will be transformed.

However, before you start shopping, there are a number of things to consider. What is the style of your room? Country style has timeless appeal and is characterized by lots of wood, check or striped fabric and rustic pottery. Look for lace or tab-top curtains in rough, unbleached cotton. If your tastes run toward the trendy and experimental, have some fun with half-length café curtains or bamboo. A classic décor calls for more traditional fabrics, such as silk. Layer your traditional curtains with a valence for a formal look.

Another important consideration is color. Of course you want your new curtains to “go with” your furnishings, but color has seasonal connotations, too. It makes perfect sense to update your curtains winter and summer. In the winter, rich reds, deep browns and bold blues add warmth to a room and set off holiday treasures. The airy, bright days of summer call for whites, florals and pastels.

And don’t forget that curtains are totally functional too. Beautiful sheers or lace curtains add privacy and elegance while letting the sunlight filter through. They protect your wall-hangings and furnishings from the damaging affects of direct sunlight. Heavier-weight curtains act as an insulating layer in colder months. Bamboo and beaded curtains make fabulous room dividers.

A final consideration is where to get your new curtains. Simple cotton curtains are a snap to sew, but remember, for curtains that are lined, gathered or of a particularly textured material, the effort required to DIY may not be worth the savings. Most department and box stores sell curtains. Some interior design companies can tailor make the perfect curtains for you. Or there is nothing like internet shopping for convenience.