So you are ready to select contemporary window treatments for you home. What are the options? There are many contemporary window treatment ideas to consider. The main categories of contemporary window treatments are drapes, blinds, and shades. Shades or blinds are acceptable on their own in your Kitchen, Bathrooms, or Home Office; but in your Living Room, Dining Room, and Bedrooms, you will need drapes to make the space feel finished and full.
What drape types are considered contemporary window treatments?
Take into account the elements of fabric, drape style, heading, and size. To get good quality contemporary drapes, you will likely need to go with custom window treatments. This is a huge advantage in giving you the flexibility to select each of the elements that are right for you.
FABRIC
Contemporary drapes can be made with solid colored fabric or patterned fabric. If you are drawn to patterns, be sure to look for patterns with two colors. Three or more colors in a pattern are more indicative of traditional styles. Be sure you are using good quality fabric. It doesn’t matter how beautiful the pattern is if it’s on cheap looking fabric. When the fabric looks cheap, both your drapes and your space look cheap. Nice looking fabric doesn’t have to be expensive. You just need to find a good resource, which is often through an interior designer who has access to trade resources or ordering custom window treatments online. If you go the online route, be sure to order fabric samples to look at in your space and verify the quality.
DRAPE STYLE
When it comes to the actual style of the drape, you want to look for a style that will add interest to your room, often incorporating more than one fabric in your drape. Color blocking is a great way to bring an updated look to your drapes. Not only does it make your drapes an important visual element, but it creates a custom contemporary design that adds a high-end sense of luxury to your room.
HEADING
The heading of your drape is critical when it comes to getting the style right. When considering contemporary window treatment ideas for your drapes; be sure to avoid pleats and the traditional rod pocket. You want to select grommets, rings, or a hidden rod loop style. If you have a large span of glass and need to close your drapes daily, you could consider a ripple fold style.
Drape Heading with Grommets
Drape Heading with Rings
Drape Heading with Hidden Rod Loop
SIZE
Make sure your drapes go to the floor. Don’t stop them at the bottom of the window. You also want to extend them above your window. If you have 8 or 9 foot ceilings, your drapes should extend as close as possible from floor to ceiling. A mistake often made is with the width of drapes. Whether you are going to close your drapes or not, they should appear wide enough to be able to cover the entire width of the window when closed. Getting the size right creates a custom contemporary design that will transform your room.
The impact of drapes is often underestimated. However, they commonly have a greater visual value than furniture, flooring, or artwork. Be sure you are getting the vital design element of contemporary window treatments right in your space.
Design Team
The Contemporary Curtain
A brand of PKB DESIGN LLC
