This guest post comes to us from Liz at Bolster Studio. She’s an ASID professional designer who helps everyone (apartment dwellers! people on budgets!) make their home gorgeous. Check out her awesome Pinterest boards or her pretty Instagram.I’m back this month to talk about an aspect of design that often makes me a little batty… window treatments. Exquisitely detailed custom silk draperies make my heart swell when they’re done right, but the cost associated makes my eye twitch. Most of my clients aren’t in their “forever homes,” so I feel like it’s a disservice to use a big chunk of the budget on expensive window treatments that likely won’t work in their next place. But, most off-the-shelf drapery panels leave a little to be desired. So I’m here to discuss some the land of the middle. Before I get into the details, I have one demand: just say “no” to heavy, swagged, multi-layer draperies that are out of place anywhere other than a legit mansion. Simplicity goes a long way when it comes to window treatments.

Start by thinking about what sort of fabric you want to use. If going the ready-made route, stay away from faux satins and silks since they tend to look cheap. Cotton blends are my favorite. If you need to blackout or insulation properties but are gasping at the cost of lined drapes, order some Roc-Lon instead and add it behind your panels.tab top voiles argos If going the DIY route and sewing isn’t your bag, source wide fabrics with pre-finished edges. ikea uk merete curtainsSheets, drop cloths, table cloths, duvet covers, and burlap are all great options when finished out with lining. commonwealth home fashions ultimate blackout curtain liner

Drapery clip rings are the quickest way of securing the fabric to the rod. Most bathroom, kitchen, or windows with a sill high off the ground can get a shade. Skip the mini blinds and go for a bamboo stick-shade or roman fabric shade. There isn’t much of a cost difference if you get them from the right place. Cough cough, IKEA, cough. ikea curtains vilborgOr, you could craft a faux shade out of any piece of cloth… placemat, scarf, pillowcase, or your old Coachella shirt.ready made curtain kamdar If you’re working with a series of windows, consider using long rods and individual panels for each window. made to measure curtains garstangAgain, it will make your ceilings look taller! And there you have it!

I’m happy to answer window treatment questions in the comments. Sources: 1. Window Treatment Ideas  // 2. Window Coverings // 3. Lombardy Lane // 4. Young House Love // 5. Jan Hiltz Interiors LLC // 6. Ashton Woods Master Bedrooms // 7. Philadelphia Penthouse // 8. Small room, big curtains // 9. Lynwood Remodel // 10. Modern Interior Design //  11. Just as there is no single all-purpose household cleaner that does everything, there is no single insulating material right for all drapes. One of the first questions a drapery maker asks her clients is "What do you want the drapes to do for you?" The answers the client gives leads the drapery maker to the right product for her clients. Follow the process drapery makers use and, with some product knowledge, you will find the best product for you, your design, and your budget. Determine Your Needs Meeting yours specific needs is your goal, so identify your needs first. Make a list of what you require from your drapes. For example, your main concern may be keeping the room's heat in the room, rather than allowing it to pass through the window;

or your main concern may be keeping UV rays from entering the room and damaging floors, drapery and furniture. Perhaps privacy is a concern in conjunction with sunlight control. Keep Heat Out Blackout lining is made by adding two or three layers of acrylic "paint" to a thin fabric base. A two-layer lining is a "two pass" lining; three layers is a "three pass." Depending on the manufacturer, the two-pass allows some light to filter into a room, the three-pass blocks most, if not all light from entering through the drapes. If you can keep sunlight out, you will keep the room temperature down; the lining is insulating against heat gain. Keep Heat In The U.S. Department of Energy states that up to 25 percent of our heating bills goes out the windows. If you need to reduce the heat going out the widows, layering linings provides the best insulation. A three-layer drape is made with the main fabric facing into the room, a lining facing the window, and an interlining between the two. An effective interlining is medium to heavyweight cotton flannel, and is well suited to combining with heavy cotton flannel-backed drapery lining.

This combination of fabrics insulates well against heat leaving the room, while allowing some light to pass through the drapes. Moisture Control Warm, moist air from a room contacting the cool surface of a window is the cause of condensation on the window. This moisture can cause rot in the window frame. Adding layers of lining to drapes does not solve this problem. If removing moisture from the room is not possible, adding a vapor barrier interlining to the drapes may help insulate against the moisture buildup. Vapor barrier typically is clear lightweight plastic sheeting available at home improvement stores. Combinations Adding black flannel for the interlining creates a "French blackout" drape. It is insulating and reduces light transfer. Adding three-pass blackout lining and a flannel interlining to a single-layer drape removes light transfer, and provides maximum privacy and maximum insulation. Budget Savers The key to high insulation is the layers. If you cannot sew your drapes yourself, or your budget does not allow for custom-made drapery, consider adding layers with separate curtain rods or add-ons.