Selection And Care of Custom Drapery

Custom drapery can be an elegant design statement for one’s home. In order to keep it looking smashing, a bit of TLC should be given to selection and upkeep. This is true of curtains, as well. Curtains and drapes are similar in that they are both window treatments made of fabric. Curtains tend to be lighter weight and may cover smaller windows such as those in a kitchen. Draperies are lengths of fabric which often extend from close to the ceiling to the floors. Drapes may be lined in order to add another dimension of sun shielding, insulation and privacy. The type of material that drapes or curtains are made from will play a large part in the care that they require. Here are some things to think about:

- Direction of window: Because sun’s rays can fade or break down the fibers, special attention should be paid to those facing south or west as these are the ones that receive the most direct sunlight. In areas of high sun exposure, curtains and drapes shouldn’t be made from materials that are too fragile. The homeowner might also think of adding some sort of shade treatment to the décor as well. This could be in the form of mini-blinds, an outdoor awning, protective UV film or sunscreens.

- Colors: When selecting a color, homeowners should remember that darker colors usually fade over time. Lighter hues are often good choices when it comes to retaining their color.

- Durability of fibers: The most durable fabrics include polyester blended textiles. The more fragile products include cottons, linens and gauzy fabrics. Lining them may make them last longer and add a layer of insulating factor to the equation.

- Custom vs. off-the-rack: Having custom draperies made gives the decorator lots of advantages including uniqueness and exact fit. While many window sizes are standard, the ways they’re placed within a room are not. When choosing this component of a room, a designer should take the entire composition of the space into consideration. For example, smaller rooms might need a treatment that would add dimension yet not chop up the space too much.

- Hanging devices: Fabric may be hung from the rods and poles in a variety of manners. The hangers can be relatively invisible so that only fabric is visible or the hanging devices can be part of the fashion statement. Hooks can come in wood, metal or fabric. They can be hoops or crafted into a decorative shape. Some drapes skip the pins and hooks and simply have a series of button-hole openings to weave the rod through.

- Keeping it clean: Some materials are machine washable while others must be professionally laundered. Homeowners should check the labels and follow directions to the letter. In between launderings, the fabric can be tidied up by vacuuming them with a wand, shaking them out in order to remove any dust or dirt that may have entered through the window.

Custom drapery can add a lush layer of beauty to one’s home. With proper selection and care, they will look gorgeous for years.