Curtain call

Windows are focal points in your home, but selecting the right treatments can often turn into major design challenges. Whether you are ready to make an investment in custom treatments, or want to cover a bare window with a simple drape, curtains make a major difference in your room décor. Before you buy, take the rest of your home décor into consideration so that you can focus on textures, colors, and designs that will best complement your personal style. We picked six of our favorite styles to help inspire your decorating and design projects.

CAFÉ STYLE

If you want to cover your kitchen window to afford your family some privacy without losing your view, think about café sheers and a matching valance for a generations-old look with a contemporary style. Café-style curtains have a clever combination of tiers that add volume to your window pane, along with a fabric valance that provides privacy and allows natural light. We love the that lends elegance and class to any kitchen.

EMBELLISHed

If your home décor is mostly understated, use your window treatments to bring a little bit of pizzazz into your space. Look for shades that offer a little sparkle, such as a beaded trim. For a cleaner, classic look, opt for curtains with ribbon or bow adornments such as the Ticking Stripe Ribbon-Tie Curtain from Pottery Barn.

PARISIAN PLEAT

Also known as European-style curtains, Parisian pleats, which are tacked at the top, lend an updated look to traditional pinch pleat curtains. Known as one of the more sophisticated curtain styles, Parisian pleats are a great choice when outfitting decorative side panels or functional, traversing draperies. The Christopher Lowell Parisian Pleat option from Smith+Noble is a simple, classic way to achieve elegance in an understated way.

BRIGHT & CHEERFUL

Window coverings sound like a bore compared to the great outdoors,  try a colorful, vibrant window covering like the Ikea Wilma design in bright green. Not only will they brighten up your windows, but they’ll let some natural light in, making them ideal for common area living spaces like kitchens, family rooms, or dens.

GO GREEN

If you want to cover your windows without a lot of fuss and with a little compassion for the environment, consider the EcoWeave Collection from Hartmann & Forbes. They offer outward visibility while filtering up to 99 percent of the sun’s harmful rays. Be kind to the environment and your home, because EcoWave shades are free of silicon, halogen, and PVCs (which in industry jargon means they are GreenGuard certified).

A LITTLE BIT VINTAGE

For the more formal rooms in your house, such as living and dining areas, think elegant and think vintage. We love the Vintage Velvet Drapery from Restoration Hardware that offers windows a soft, romantic look without overwhelming the rest of your home décor. Choose from one of 12 colors to match—or contrast—with the rest of your home.