Soft Window Treatments

Light and privacy controls are important elements to consider when choosing your window treatments. Many window treatments can be combined to provide the effect you are looking for. There are four categories of window treatments that provide varying light and privacy control:

• Sheers with ascot valances.

  Sheer soft window treatments are very popular. Sheers are used to accent an open, airy feeling found in most of today's newer home designs. They can be layered and combined with other printed and/or plain sheers to create a fresh look. Sheers provide the maximum amount of light to enter when the curtains are drawn, but the least amount of privacy. In order to get the best of both worlds—privacy and maximum sunlight— combine sheers with a hard window treatment such as a roller blind. Sheers come in cotton, silk, lace, and bronze, pewter and gold metallic.
  



• Semi-sheer panels with a gathered valance.

  Semi-sheer soft window treatments diffuse light for a little privacy. It is important to remember that during the day people will not be able to see in the room, but at night, when the interior lights are on, they will. Semi-sheer window treatments include heavy and layered sheer fabrics with designs and lace.
  
  
• Semi-opaque window treatments provide partial blockage of light when the curtains are closed. At night you can only see shadows on the inside from the outside. Semi-opaque products are the most widely available and include most drapery fabric and a few hard window treatments.
  

• Opaque panels with two ascot valances.

  For the person who needs privacy and maximum light blocking, opaque is the window treatment to select. Opaque treatments include most hard window treatments and lined curtains.
  

Two examples of tab-top curtains

Many different styles of curtains and drapes are available in a variety of fabrics.

• Tab tops are very popular, and they highlight the decorative hardware used to hang them. Tab top curtains are available in valances, café style, and drapes and can be used in every room of the house.
  
  




• Tiers in the kitchen.

  Tiers, also called café curtains, come in several different styles. They are short in length and are often used in kitchens and baths. Tiers cover the lower half of the window using a tension rod and can be beautifully combined with a swag, valance or top tier.
  
  


• Full-length rod-pocket or pole-top panels are a mainstay in soft treatments and can be constructed with different sized pockets to accommodate varying rod styles. They can hang straight or be tied back using fabric ties or decorative hardware, depending upon the look and function you want.
  



Ascot valance

Layered sheers with a scarf.



• A valance hangs across the top of a window, usually covering a third of the window glass. Often used to hide drapery hardware, it can be draped, gathered, or pleated. Valances can be used with or without a curtain underneath.




 

 

 

 

• Swags and Scarves

  Swags and scarves add a striking accent to curtains. Layering a printed swag or scarf over coordinating solid curtains will bring all of the colors of your room together to create a romantic focal point. If privacy is not an issue, swags and scarves can be hung alone on a rod or through a sconce for a distinctive look.

Here are a few basic hardware items from which you may choose:

• Rods
• Pole ends/finials (leaves, twigs, spears, fruit, etc.)
• Holdbacks/tiebacks
• Sconces
• Rings
• Hooks
• Brackets
• Curtain clips