Different Curtain Styles for Different Home Designs

The basic role of curtains has shifted over the years. They are still used in part for their original purposes, privacy, insulation, soundproofing and light control. However, with the advances made in glazing technology, these functions are no longer so important and all window coverings have taken on a more decorative role.

Although the words are often used interchangeably, there is a distinct difference between curtains and drapes. Drapes tend to be more formal, floor length affairs, with a heavy lining, that can be opened and closed with a pull cord. Curtains are their less formal relatives, often made from a lighter fabric, with or without lining. They are generally suspended by hooks, rings or even tab tops from a pole, and are opened and closed by hand. While drapes are usually stand alone, curtains can be used with blinds or shades, and in this case are sometimes tied back permanently to the window edge and never closed at all.

If you are choosing curtains as part of your home design project, you should consider three basic types. Panels are the simplest and most often used, being basic panels of material, hemmed top and bottom, gathered at the top to produce soft folds, and hung by hooks or rings from a pole.

Café curtains are an alternative style, hung from the centre of the window on a wire or cord, leaving the upper part of the window exposed. As well as decoration, this style provides privacy for people sitting near the window, whilst letting in light at the same time. These can generally be found in kitchens and breakfast rooms.

Tiered curtains are the third option. These are hung in such a way that a base panel covers the bottom half of a window, and a top panel, protruding further from the wall, covers the top half and overlaps the base panel. This is a decorative feature, rather than having a practical use, although you could tie back the upper panels to let in light, while maintaining some privacy.

You should consider the most appropriate length for your curtains. Some can sit just above the window sill, giving the impression of fitting neatly into the window space. These are ideal when you have a radiator under the window, so you don't lose all the heat up through the window behind the curtain. If you want your curtains to rest just below the window ledge, be sure your curtain pole is mounted far enough from the wall to ensure that curtain can hang freely and does not touch the window sill. Floor length curtains should finish just before the floor so they don't drag. If they touch the floor they will become dirty very quickly and may be stood on and ripped.

Finally you should determine if you need your curtains lined or not. Lining can add considerable expense you your curtains, but it is worthwhile if you need the extra privacy, insulation or soundproofing that lined curtains can provide. You can also buy interlined curtains, with a third panel of insulation fabric between the curtain itself and the main lining. Lining can also make your curtains hang better if they are made from a lightweight material.

Being very excited about blinds and window coverings, Kenneth Morris was authoring quite a few detailed papers on the subject. His observations on blinds and curtains [http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com/curtains.html] are published on his web publications .

Pelmet Designs and Curtain Pelmets For Window Treatments

Pelmets are in vogue and really change the whole appeal of the curtain and give the room and window a distinctive look. There are various pelmet designs that you can pick as curtain pelmets for window treatments. But if we look at the pelmet designs broadly then it can be categorized into stiff pelmet and pelmet valance. The stiff pelmet is made from the pelmet board on which the fabric is pasted so there is no frills or pleats here. But in case of valance pelmets the fabric has the pleats that flows downwards. Although there are now rollers and blinds but both the styles of pelmets are in and used by many.

Curtain pelmets are chiefly used for window treatments but these are also used to stop the excess of light above the curtain head and the light that is coming from the top of the window. You can also dramatize the whole interior with the marvelous curtain pelmets designs. 

Curtain Pelmets Designs
In some cases of curtain pelmets for window treatments, the pelmet is used alone without curtains. Here stiff pelmets are used. The pelmet design can vary according to the window. Craftsman can show his or her creativity by giving different carves and angles to the wood.

But in other case the pelmet board is completely decorated with the curtain fabric and with swags and tails of the same fabric. The number of swags vary and depends upon the size of the window or where the pelmet curtain is being used. Even the frills and pleats are also given. To further decorate the curtain pelmets the lower end of the frills are then embellished with braids, beads or fringes.

Curtain pelmet color can be similar to the color of other textile furnishings like bed covers, cushions, bed sheets etc. The coordinating colors look really good if used properly. More balance should be provided by combining dark and light colors. Even the dark color pelmet can be used to lower the roof if your room has high roof.

Wooden Pelmet Designs
Wooden pelmet designs are made from wood and the length is custom made. The color choice is also based on the selection of the customer. All types of contemporary and traditional wooden pelmet designs can be checked that look very elegant. These have the carving of wood so there is no need of fabric to decorate it further.

Contemporary Pelmet Designs
Contemporary pelmet designs are different from the traditional in prints, bulkiness and type of fabric used. In the contemporary styles the fabric used is generally very light and soft in color with small prints or plain. In this the pelmet is covered either by frills or swags. The swags of the pelmet curtains are mostly sewn so that whenever you need to wash these you can do it easily without damaging the pelmet curtain design and its style. Swags are mostly done for the tall windows to add style and touch of royalty. But there is no hard and fast rule of doing so. You can use swag on any window where you want to do it but make sure that room size should be considerable as with swags in pelmets the room tends to appear small.

Curtain and pelmet designs compliment with each other so must be selected accordingly.

Curtain pelmet design can be made from the carved wood which is the original style of the pelmet. You can use the curtain of different tone. Even the scalloped curtain pelmets are in vogue. You can also consider the molded ceiling cornice pelmet designs as well, which again is a traditional curtain pelmet design. This pelmet does not look individual and looks like a part of the ceiling.

Pelmet designs also involve the used of elaborated upholstery. In most of the formal dining room it is easy to see these pelmet designs having too many curtains, swags and tails. With this type of pelmet design generally the height of the roof is lowered to give room a balance look.

So in this way you can create a beautiful pelmet designs and carry curtain pelmets for window treatments.

R Oberoi is associated with Textile Furnishings and recommends http://www.textilefurnishings.com for further reading & information on textile furnishings, which is a B2B marketplace for home furnishings items, their sellers, buyers, manufacturers & suppliers.