Choosing Draperies

Drapes can be the one thing that can cause your rooms to look complete. Color, fabric and measurements are the things you must first consider. Many interior decorators recommend using a color or pattern the is used in at least three places in the room. If you are having the drapes custom made, use some of that fabric in at least two other places in the room to bring about a cohesiveness.

The type of fabric can be decided upon by knowing the attributes of different fabric. There are two general categories of fabric. Natural fabrics are cotton, linen, wool and silk. Silk is the most delicate of the natural fabric. Synthetic fabrics include acetate, nylon, rayon and polyester. Each one has their own unique thickness and texture. Ultimately, you want them to be the "finishing touch" of the room, but draperies can do so much more at the same time. They can be effective in keeping your home cool, blocking out unwanted sunlight, and for privacy. Pick a fabric according to what you want your drapes to do.

It is not necessary to have the drapes custom made. Buying ready-made drapes from the hundreds of stores in your neighborhood and on the Internet is much less expensive. Ready-made drapes come in different pre-set measurements of width and length. You want drapes wide enough to cover the window, while the length is completely up to you. Longer drapes are more formal. Your next big decision is the type of hardware you want to use to hang the draperies on. Look them over carefully and ask for opinions from others. Some styles are casual and some are very formal. You will need to choose a type that fits the style of your drapes.