Window treatments are more than a decorating decision; they are also a very practical one. Curtains, shades, blinds, shutters or any combination of these window dressings must also serve a functional end: to admit or block sunlight and to provide privacy. Window treatments need to do far more than look good. They must work well, in addition.

Before deciding on a style or look for window treatments, homeowners must first analyze their needs. How important is privacy? First-floor living and dining rooms facing the front of the house, with a street view, require a greater privacy shield at the windows than rooms to the rear or upstairs. What direction is the room’s exposure? If it’s to the south or west, window treatments that screen or block intense sunlight may be desired. In cold climates, windows with a northern exposure may need a window treatment with a high thermal factor for energy efficiency.

And some windows require one additional practical consideration: the window’s architecture. Some windows are inherently more attractive than others. When the window itself detracts from rather than adds to the space whether too thin, devoid of appealing wood trim, or awkwardly positioned the window dressing can camouflage the architectural imperfections, making the window a more visually appealing feature.

At the opposite extreme, some windows are the grandest architectural statement of the room. In this case, the modernist “less is more” philosophy can be embraced, even if the room’s design is 18th-century traditional. It’s a shame to hide the beauty of a window under scads of swaged, draped, and puddle fabric. An overzealous window treatment can even overpower the architecture. If leaving beautiful windows bare is not an option, they can be dressed in more understated treatments that complement the architecture

Once the windows’ utilitarian needs are addressed, the fun begins: How to make the solution sizzle with personal style, enhancing the overall decor of the room. Perhaps the windows can even make the strongest decorating statement as the room’s piece resistance.

First, decide on the room’s style: contemporary, traditional, country, or eclectic. This will provide parameters for finding the appropriate window dressing. Damask draperies ornamented with velvet braid, silk fringe, and decorative rosettes obviously are not a consideration for a streamlined, contemporary style. For a traditional room, vertical blinds may be too contemporary a solution, unless a touch of contemporary’s clean, unfussy style is desired. In a country room, treatments that carry forth the style – tab curtains, simple panels made from retro fabrics, or nostalgic lace panels – can be effective.

Make sure window treatments inject the appropriate texture to balance a room. Too often, texture is overlooked as a consideration, even though it can entirely change the look of a room. For a hard, predominantly wood-filled space with few upholstered pieces, select soft curtain fabrics. In a carpeted room with plain drywall or plaster at the walls, consider wooden blinds or shades to inject the warmth of natural wood tones. Or create a mixture of textures in a single window treatment to provide textural richness and depth. After applying window treatments, you can use decorative things to decorate it also like ribbons etc.

When both practical and decorative issues are addressed, window treatments become one of the most effective design statements in the home, expressing the personality of the owners while working to meet their lifestyle needs. In the pages that follow, you’ll learn how to strike the perfect balance between necessity and design, creating beautiful and functional window treatments that will make any room beautiful.