Do You Know How To Use Window Coverings?

Window coverings serve an important role in your home,giving you privacy and also protecting your furniture anddécor from the harshness of prolonged, direct sunlight.But the range of choices is so wide, including blinds,shades, shutters and curtains, that some homeowners have ahard time deciding which they prefer, or whether they canmix their window coverings according to the room where theyare installed.

There are no hard and fast rules about what you should use,versus what you could use. The decision is up to yourtastes, preferences, and what works with your decoratingscheme. What you decide is great for one room, may not fitin another, so you switch from blinds in the bathroom towindow shades in the bedroom, and that is just fine, aslong as you are happy with the way the décor looks whenyou're done.

For example, the living room is where most people entertainvisitors and family, and because it is often a "public"room, people tend to go for more distinguished or strikingwindow coverings, that may include shutters or curtains,and occasionally a combination of both.

A beautiful set of lined drapes, with sheers underneath,and topped by a decorative swag, are not only functional,but very decorative and can be coordinated with thefurniture, or serve as an accent to the overall scheme of aroom. Sometimes simplicity creates an equal impact, with aset of antique slatted shutters that fold out fromunderneath a pair of brocaded lined drapes.

Window coverings are an expression of your personal tastes.The attention you give the details and accessories that gointo making them a part of your home décor, shows yourcreativity and sense of style.

Sarah Peters works at home, and spends most of her freetime on various home improvement tasks. Over a few years,she had all her house windows replaced. In this series ofarticles, she shares her experience and advice.