Ideas for Custom Draperies

Thankfully, we now have central heating. Custom draperies no longer fill the odious task of keeping heat inside the house. This means the heavier fabrics can be discarded, and options for window treatments are wide open. With the new year upon us, it’s time to update the draperies that have come to depress you. The latest trends  include less bulk, more geometry, and innovation on hardware.

Make Them Less Intimidating

Pleats of weighty drapes and puddles of fabric on the floor are a complete bore. Just sitting in a room with multiple windows outfitted this way can give a feeling of … heavy. It isn’t relaxing or inviting. If you aren’t ready for a drastic change, try changing the length of the drapes to just a few inches off the ground. In addition to making vacuuming easier, it will also reduce the intimidating factor of the drapes.

Choosing the Fabric

A more advanced variation is to replace the fabric in a similar color scheme, but in a thinner fabric and same shorter length. Or try a reversal on a popular trend – throw a sheer fabric in front of the heavier one. This layering will still afford the energy efficiency needed in colder climates provided by the thicker fabric, but the sheer will break up the weight of the entire ensemble.

Bring in a Valance

To bring back a sense of formality to the room after removing the bulk, bring in a valance. A simple wooden box covered in the fabric of the drape is a solution. This geometric style brings in clean lines and keeps the effect of simplicity. Updating an older drape may mean the original fabric is no longer available. In that case, choose the darkest solid color fabric that picks up an accent color from the original print.

Hooks and Rods

If changing the fabric isn’t an option, due to tastes or budget, a hardware switch out may be just the thing. Shifting from traditional drapery hooks, to rings on a stylized rod also opens up a custom drapery to the eye. Finial style options have boomed in recent years, with many home improvement stores offering multiple finishes and designs. You might even get lucky and find an ending that highlights a style element of existing furnishings in the room.

Give the Draperies a Makeover

There are lots of ways to update tired and uninspiring draperies. For a complete make over, cut the length, trim the bulk, and change the fabric thickness. For a formal room, keep the décor appropriate by adding a valance. Think of the valance as the equivalent of crown molding for the window- it draws the eyes up. Perhaps an entire do over isn’t going to work. In that scenario, capitalize on the vast offerings in drapery hardware, and move away from drapery hooks. The open space created by the rings will also break up the bulk, and bring in a well needed breath of fresh air.

So make a few changes, drastic or not, and enjoy new year in your seemingly new room!