Drapes can help create the perfect aesthetic in a room, but a few common mistakes can take them from breathtaking to an eyesore. Fortunately, these mistakes are easy to avoid. Our experts at Potomac Paint & Design have a few secrets for hanging drapery in any room beautifully to share with you.
Choose the Right Position
The first mistake most people make is to hang the rod too low. You want to hang your drapes high and wide for the best look. A high rod will make your ceiling look taller and give your drapery a more stylish appearance. Hang them about 6 inches above your window for the best look. A second mistake is closely related to the first. Many people go with a rod that is too narrow. Most people open their drapes at some point during the day, and if the rod isn’t wide enough, the stack back from your curtains will block sunlight. A rod at least 8 inches wider than the window is ideal.
Choose the Right Fabric
Choosing the proper fabric for the room aesthetic and the function you’d like your window coverings to have is essential. Lighter materials, such as silks and linens, give rooms a more casual and airy feel. Thinner fabrics filter light more than block it, which can be precisely what you want in a sitting room or kitchen. Heavy fabric like velvet or wool is the way to go if you wish to increase light control, privacy, and sound absorption. Denser materials are also best suited to a more formal room setting. Once you’ve selected the perfect fabric, another thing to avoid is drapery that is not full enough. Drapes are meant to have a full, luxurious appearance.
Choose the Right Length
Always avoid “high water” curtains. Shorter is never better unless you’re getting cafe-style curtains. If you're going for a romantic, elegant feel, you want your drapery to fall to the floor with some puddling. If you’d like to avoid puddling, have your drapes stop less than an inch above the floor. They’ll look great, and you won’t have to worry about the fabric getting dirty or worn from touching the floor. Another tip is never to skimp on the hardware. Purchasing a rod that is not sturdy enough will lead to sagging in the middle, which is never an attractive style.
Our final bit of advice is to always start with samples. Hang them near the window where you’ll be hanging your new drapery, and view them at different times of the day. Varying amounts of natural light will affect how the color and fabric appear, and you want to love your window treatments at all hours of the day.
Contact Potomac Paint & Design
As a family-owned business, customer satisfaction is one of our top priorities. We carry premium quality Hunter Douglas window treatment products, and our professional design consultants can help you bring your window treatment vision to life. We are also your local resource for interior and exterior paint and wallpaper services. Contact us today to get your project started. We have locations in Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church, VA, and are pleased to serve the surrounding areas.
