Simple Ideas for Contemporary Curtains and Window Treatments

by Don Miller

Adding curtains and window treatments to your home can not only bring a lot of character into the room but also can pull together your entire décor style. Sometimes you are still comfortable with your old curtains or window treatments but want to update the look to be more modern. There are several things you can do whether you are looking for entirely new curtains or just updating the ones you have.

If you do not want to use a valance with your curtains and window treatments then you should be aware that the hardware of your curtains is going to be visible. That is all right if you make the hardware itself part of the decoration. One of the easiest ways to do that is with decorative curtain rods. Along with the curtain rod you can attach your curtains to it with copper or brass rings that will add more appeal to your curtains and window treatments. If you don’t wish to use curtain rings you can use flip-toppers instead. Flip-toppers are like curtain rings but are made of fabric. You can use either the same fabric as the curtains or a contrasting fabric to add more visual appeal.

Another thing that most people don’t think of for modern curtains and window treatments are floor length coverings. Most people may think that this is not a modern look at all, but they are making a comeback in home design. They add a lot of elegance and a more formal look to a room.

Using tiebacks with lace for your curtains and window treatments can add a wonderfully modern look and a whimsical one as well. For this you need two curtain rods and for the lace panels of the curtain to be at least two times the width of the window. This tie back lacing look works with floor length drapes and offers one of the most elegant looks possible.

One of the simplest techniques if using a draped fabric for an updated look. The basic idea is to take the curtain fabric and create swags around the curtain rod and some like to add pleats to the curtains so the swags have a more pinched look. While you can easily use raw fabric for this, it will need to be at least 3 times the actual window size in order to get the right look across the width of the window.

If you are looking for an even easier and simpler way to update your curtains and window treatments then you can simply buy printed curtains and install those. Depending on the print you choose they will be appropriate for anything from a child’s bedroom to your formal living room. There are prints to match almost any theme and are usually very affordable too. Just change out the curtains and you get instantly updated curtains and window treatments.

Modern Ideas for Window Treatments

These days it can be a hassle to get the best window treatments and there are so many designs and styles that are both popular and easy to adjust to your own personal taste. Modern window treatments tend to focus on one of two things, clean and minimal lines that don’t interfere with the rest of the room décor and do it yourself designs that are completely unique and tailored to your style. Since these two things are completely different in nature you will need some ideas for window treatments.

For a modern look you should look for solid fabric curtains that have a very stylish fabric like suede or satin. Another of the ideas for window treatments with a modern style is to pair sheer curtains with a soft and luxurious silk curtain that will give your home a comforting and soothing feel.

No matter what most curtain ideas for window treatments will include matching the color of the fabric to the rest of the color scheme in the room.

If you prefer to look for ideas for window treatments that do not include curtains you can find plenty of unique ideas there as well. For a more minimal design or if you have elaborate molding that you wish to showcase then you can opt for bamboo shades that will be fairly inexpensive and very unique.

These kinds of shades will allow light into the room but can maintain your privacy at the same time. One of the more popular ideas for window treatments right now is the use of decorative window film, which is both modern and completely personalized.

You can also opt for a more personal touch in your ideas for window treatments by doing it yourself and being creative. For example, not all curtains need to be paneled and trimmed and layered in a certain way to be stylish.

You can just as easily purchase a large piece of cloth that appeals to your sense of style and drape it over a curtain rod. If you layer this creatively with a sheer sheet of fabric underneath it then you have easily given yourself a look that no one else in the neighborhood will have.

Or perhaps in your quest for ideas for window treatments you want to go a step farther in bringing a natural look to your home. Find a wooden curtain rod, or even a tree branch that you have stained to match your décor and you will have a window treatment that you simply cannot find anywhere else.

Sometimes ideas for window treatments need not include curtains or blinds at all. A lot of the time you can simply spruce up the windowsill with a little contrasting paint and it will give the room an entirely new look. Find a stencil that appeals to you and stencil a design or words around the windowsill to make your window treatments entirely your own.

In the end your ideas for window treatments should reflect your own sense of style and what makes you feel the most comfortable in your home.

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