Walking into a room where the windows themselves and their cohesive treatments seem harmonious always feels elevated and sophisticated. If you’re wondering how to bring this vision to life in your home, our team at Hunter Douglas Design Gallery by White House Designs for Life has compiled a guide on layering drapes and window treatments like the professionals.
What Are the Benefits of Layering Drapes and Window Treatments?
There are several benefits you’ll enjoy when you layer drapes and window treatments, including:
- Enhanced insulation and sound absorption.
- Improved light control.
- Increased privacy.
- Upgraded UV protection.
Our Best Tips for Pairing Your Drapes and Window Treatments
Here are our tips for pairing custom drapes with Hunter Douglas window treatments for results that look like an interior designer just left your home:
1. Consider the Room’s Function
Before thumbing through a book of fabric swatches, consider the room’s function and how it interacts with the window. Is it a bedroom where you need to block out the early morning sun? Or does the afternoon sun blaze into your home office, causing screen glare to disrupt your workflow?
2. Select Your Window Treatment Style First
After determining the goal of a room, you’ll want to choose corresponding Hunter Douglas window treatments, such as:
- Sheer shades paired with heavy drapery panels to create an airy yet anchored feel.
- Roman shades tucked under stationary drapes for that tailored look you see in interior design magazines and blogs.
- Interior wood shutters with side panels for those crisp, architectural lines of the wood, softened by the fabric.
3. Choose the Right Fabric for Your Drapes
Choosing the right fabrics, colors, or textures for your drapes is based on your personal preferences. However, it’s best to review fabric swatches under different lighting conditions, such as bright afternoons, cloudy mornings, and lamp light.
As a helpful tip, if you’re unsure about pairing colors correctly, warm whites tend to associate with other warm whites. Cool grays pair well with silver or crisp white accents. If you have natural wood shutters or blinds, lean into those oatmeal, flax, or camel tones.
4. Determine the Fit at Your Window
Once you have your dream drapes and window treatments selected, it’s time to choose the hardware and how to hang them. For drapery hardware, choose materials that complement other hardware in the room, such as drawer handles, cabinet pulls, or doorknobs.
Hang your drapery rod high, nearly touching the ceiling for that interior design aesthetic. This technique makes the whole room look taller and more open. Then, aim for the drapery’s fabric to just “kiss” the floor.
Additionally, you may want to consider the ratio between how much window you can see inside the room and how much of your drapery is covering them, which designers refer to as drapery stack back. This method begins with the length of your drapery rod; the longer the rod goes past the width of your windows, the less drapery blocks the window.
Discover Your Hunter Douglas Dealer Near Paramus, NJ
For more ideas for pairing drapes and window treatments or to sample styles and fabrics in person, please call (201) 809-3012 or schedule a consultation online with our Hunter Douglas Design Gallery by White House Designs for Life in Paramus, NJ.