The Art of Hanging Drapes

We all know that the best Designers can create amazing spaces from humble beginnings. But how do they do it? Well here are a few “Insider Secrets” on how to flatter your windows that you won’t find anywhere else.

Dressing your windows is as important to completing your perfect space as anything else you do. Many leading Designers actually think it is the Most Important feature of a room that should not be over-looked.

If you are dressing a window in a space with a lower ceiling it is important to create the illusion of more height. It’s very similar to fashion, if you’re a short framed person you probably don’t want to be wearing Capri pants. So with low ceilings it’s best to hang your hardware close to the ceiling and let the drapes puddle onto the floor. The longer drape and more fabric will give the illusion of a taller ceiling.

Conversely, if your home has higher ceilings and taller windows you can easily get a more tailored look by having the drape fabric just touch the floor or even hover an inch above it. This is a great “mid-century” look that is becoming very popular in many of the boutique hotels. Like a “slim-fit” suit, this tailored look is very fashionable and flattering, but you’ve got to have the “tall, long-lines” to get away with it said Amy Pearce a Design Consultant at DrapeStyle in California.

Speaking of the “Boutique Hotel” look, you may want to also consider adding Blackout Lining as well. Blackout blocks about 99% of the light from penetrating the room which is perfect for a bedroom or den where you may want added privacy. Blackout is also popular in media rooms, “You can close the drapes in the middle of the day and create a perfect atmosphere for watching a movie” Pearce said.

Another great practice with taller windows is to get wider panels and “stack” them off to each side. “When you stack the drapes on narrow windows you can really give the illusion of a grander more dramatic space”, Pearce said, “the added fabric also absorbs more of the ambient noise and makes the room much more intimate and comfortable”, Pearce added.

The final consideration you should make is that of the insulating factor or “R-Value” that drapery can have. “Most People don’t realize that adding drapery that is well lined and interlined can reduce the energy loss through windows and walls by as much as 40%”, Pearce said. Well made drapes can actually pay for themselves over time.