Let’s start with the do’s and don’ts, shall we?

If you work shift work, DO have your drapes lined, better yet, have your drapes lined with a Black Out or Dim Out lining. This is thick and solid fabric that goes on the back of the drapery; much like you would see on the drapery of a hotel room. Lining the drapery will make the drape fuller. Unless you’re going for a coastal, billowy curtain that will float beautifully when the windows are open, I would recommend lining. The Black Out or Dim Out option would be available to you with a custom drape.

See below for a beautiful example of unlined drapery.

-Tip

If at all possible; try to keep your window with the same lining throughout your house. If this is not possible because of style purposes, DO try to keep your windows at the front of your house lined and with the same colour lining, upstairs and downstairs. This creates a cohesive appearance which is neat and tidy. Nothing throws off curb appeal like the pattern of your toddlers, blue and red, robot drapery at the front window. If you’re installing blinds, again, try to keep the blind colour and style consistent.

DO have your drapery at the correct length. Although every window and situation is different, my favourite length is to have the drapery sit one inch off the ground, or you may want to have the drapery just touch the ground. Having your drapes around 3” or 4” off the floor is not correct. This single handedly may be my biggest, decorating, pet peeve! Yes, even bigger than hanging your pictures too high! Are people still doing that?

DON’T shorten your drapes to meet your window frame. If you have a sofa or bed under your window, move the piece of furniture forward and away from the window enough to have the drapes go all the way to the floor in behind.

If you are blessed with space between your window and ceiling, put this space to good use. DO hang the rod about half to 3/4 of the way up. Your drapery will have more presence, look grand, and make your ceilings look higher. If you don’t have space between your window and ceiling, perhaps in a basement. Hang with the appropriate, ceiling mounted rod directly onto the ceiling.

Although this drapery (below) length is correct it would have been much more effective had it been hung higher.

If the space allows, DO go over the sides of your windows a few inches each way. This will trick the eye into thinking the window is wider and higher.

DO purchase enough drapery fabric to cover your window. You don’t want your drapes to look like a flat sheet was hung when they’re pulled shut. If the drapery is custom made, careful calculations will be made to ensure you are buying enough fabric to properly cover the window. There should be enough for a soft ripple of fabric even when the drapery is closed shut. If you are buying “ready mades” (curtains or drapes that are already made, off the shelf) you may want to buy multiples to ensure you have enough fabric to cover the whole window and still maintain a generous ripple. You may also want to alter or hem them, and please, please, press your ready mades before you hang them!

DON’T skimp out on your drapery rod. Proportion your rod to your drapery. Drapes with substance that have pattern and colour and hang in a large window will take on a uniform look with a beefy, thicker rod. Ensure your rod is supported with the correct amount of brackets as to not allow bowing in the centre. (Bowing rods is another pet peeve of mine.)

Big windows, big rods. I believe you should use big rods for all windows, large or small. Use large, thick rods with interesting finials. (The decorative pieces at each end of the rods) This detail will act as jewelry in a room. Even if the drapes are never closed; a thicker rod acts as a bridge from one side drape to the other side drape completing the whole package. If you already have a smaller, skinnier rods and you want to use them, use them at smaller windows.