To Drape or Not to Drape: Are Window Coverings Necessary?

Try these ideas when decorating with drapes! Source: Home Life by Rose Ann Humphrey

Many people think of drapes as functional window coverings that help keep out drafts, but they’re also a decorative element. They come in a variety of colors, patterns and materials, and you can use them in areas other than windows.

When decorating with drapes, consider the following ideas:

• Choose colors carefully. The right color can bring a room to life or weigh it down dramatically. For rooms with a touch of a bolder color, such as red, choose red drapes to pull everything together. If the room features a bolder color as the main tone, choose drapes in a neutral or lighter color to avoid overdoing the bolder look.
• Combine mirrors and dark drapes. You don’t have to shy away from dark drapes out of fear that they’ll make a room seem too heavy. Instead, hang mirrors in the room to make it seem more open. This balances out the heavier effect of the dark drapes.
• Go natural. Drapes in a floral or leaf pattern can make rooms feel more light and airy. They can also complement views of the natural surroundings outside your windows.
• Use drapes in other areas. When decorating with drapes, you can hang them from a four-poster bed to create an elegant, upscale look, or hang them around a patio or other outdoor area.
• Combine drapes with blinds. If you want more control over how much light enters a room, hang up blinds and drapes. You can pull the drapes aside and let in as little or as much light as you want with the blinds. Make sure you pick blinds and drapes that go together.

Need help finding the perfect fit for decorative drapes in your home? Contact Rose Ann Humphrey at Home Life, and follow us on Facebook.