Drapery Panels Are Perfect In So Many Places
In recent years, we’ve seen increasing use of drapery panels as window treatments, replacing swag treatments or valances in popularity.
Most drapery panels are used to add warmth to a room. Most are stationary panels that also serve as something of a palette, letting people add patterns, textures, and colors to their rooms to create their own special look.
Simplicity is the trend in drapery panel design. The eye-catching details are in the fabric itself or in the pleating – or perhaps decorative hardware is the design element that adds the “wow” factor to the window treatment. The design itself is clean and simple; it’s the extras that express creativity and individual style. (See Image above)
Drapery panels in urban homes are almost always stationary and often combined with shades or blinds for privacy. The pleating styles most frequently used include French pleats (sometimes called tacked-top pleats), or two-finger pleats, which is my personal preference because they look awesome and so very rich. Ripple folds also are a favorite in urban homes because they stack so well and allow more “view exposure,” which is especially important in high-rise condominiums where the view is sacred!
Ripple fold draperies (Image found on line)
In the suburbs, however, most clients like a bit more decorative flair in their panels (at least this has been my observation), although some clients do request simplicity to complement their “clean look” design style.
Suburban home. Drapery panels mounted on boards
Horizontal banding in one or more contrasting colors can be fun, as are buttons, unusual pleating, decorative hardware, and “breaking” on the floor, which is very trendy at the moment and preferred by many clients. One reason for the popularity of panels that break on the floor is because it’s frequently seen on television programs, such as HGTV, and in home décor magazine.
Illustration showing drapery panels and the many ways they can touch the floor. (found online)
The variety of beautiful fabrics available in the market today is astonishing. Fabrics with shiny stones, sparkles, modern embroidery, and shimmery elements are all very popular. And all kinds of textures can be woven into the fabric, which makes them special and unique!
Various drapery pleating
The use of short rods on each side of the window is growing in popularity, and panels are even sometimes mounted on boards instead of on rods.
short drapery rods
Dressing up windows with panels enhances the height of the space and gives it a finished look. Consider some of these fun drapery panel projects I have recently completed, and give me a call with ideas of how YOU would like to dress up YOUR window!
For a free consultation call (630)854-9082.
