Formal Ideas for Curtains

Curtains offer diversity for the home.

Curtains help create an atmosphere and formal curtain designs vary within rooms. An elegant curtain works well for a living room or dining area, but may not work for a bedroom or bathroom. Using colors and fabrics that stand out and work well for the room help shape a room's decor. For better results, have the wall paint and furnishings picked out before choosing curtain fabric.

Living Room

Tiebacks are a decorative way to hold back curtains.

Pinch-pleated curtains are good for living rooms because they open up easily to let in light. They're made from heavy fabric so they block out drafts and sunlight when needed. Hourglass curtains also work in living rooms. Hourglass curtains are made from lightweight fabrics. Tiebacks add a formal look to any curtain.

Kitchen

A valance adds a charming touch to kitchen windows.

Reverse roll-up shades are useful for windowsills in kitchens because they can be rolled up and down easily. They are made in contrast fabric, so the underside is a plain fabric while the front is a decorative fabric. A valance can also be used in kitchens because they are short, aloowing in some light. You can install a valance by itself or over other draperies.

Bedrooms

Bedroom curtains can be elegant and stylish when matched to bedding.

Tab-top curtains, an attractive drapery to conventional casings, are easy to thread through curtain rods. Matching the curtains to your bedding provides a formal, uniform look. Tab tops allow for lighting during the day and privacy at night. Cornice and valance combination curtains offer the convenience of a valance and drape sewn together to make one set of curtains.

Library or Den

Curtains can help create a sense of privacy for your library or den.

A balloon shade is a curtain that offers fullness, but still allows light to enter the room because the curtains are often made from lightweight, sheer fabric. Add a draped valance over a balloon shade in dark, rich colors completes the formal look. This type of curtain works well in wide windows. A side drawn curtain is another option suitable for a den or library when the window is small.

Bathrooms

Bathroom drapery adds warmth.

Roller shades work well for bathroom windows. They are especially helpful for windows above a bathtub because they can be rolled up to your desired length. Ruffled shower curtains give your bathroom a romantic atmosphere, and can be matched to the bath rugs or wallpaper for an effective formal bathroom look.

Nursery

Match drapes to nursery decor.

A child's room should have drapes installed that are easy to maneuver. A drape that blocks the light effectively is important. A Roman shade blocks light, so pair it with sheer drapery. You can pull the Roman shade up when you want more light in, but want to keep the window covered.

References

• "Singer Reference Library: More Sewing for the Home"; 1987
• "Singer Reference Library: Sewing for the Home"; 1984
• "Creative Serging for the Home"; Palmer & Pletsch; 1991