Selecting New Curtains
By: Cinta Detisur

Deciding what type of curtain or window treatment to put up in your home is not always an easy decision. Many things need to be considered before making the choice. Factors such as sun exposure, type of room, and interior decor play a big part in choosing what will be best for your windows.

When a room faces east or west it gets most of the direct sun exposure in the home. If you live in an area that is very hot in the summer, you should choose a curtain that will block out a lot of these rays so that you won't heat up the room so much. There are curtains specifically designed to deflect rather that absorb the sun's heat.

In bedrooms, some people choose to use what are called room darkening curtains. These can come in a variety of types, like cellular shades, for example. These kinds of curtains in the room darkening variety are great especially for windows that face east, to keep the maximum amount of morning sun out of the room. Curtains like these are available in a wide array of colors, to it is very likely that a color is available to suit just about any decor. Since this kind of window treatment is used to cover the window, it is an option to also put up some other kind of curtain to dress the window up, like sheer panels or a window valance.

Kitchens are traditionally rooms that are full of natural light and warmth. However, you may also have concerns about privacy. One suggestion is to get blinds that allow light in when it is desired and can be closed for privacy. Then, hang a simple decorative curtain over the blinds to give the kitchen a finished, homey look.

Sliding glass doors present a different challenge. If the sliding glass door is one that you will be using frequently, you may not want a full length curtain that will be getting in the way. This is where vertical blinds are helpful. You can also decorate the top of the door with a swag, valance or cornice in colors that complement the room and decor. If the door is not used often you can choose to hang a curtain as long as it is one that can be moved if it is necessary to use the door.

In the bathroom, depending on the size of the window and whether or not there's a privacy issue, some people choose either cover the window with a light curtain on a rod, cover the window with a vinyl shade or something similar, or even not cover the window at all.

Curtains can give your home a lot of personality and appeal. They can also provide you with privacy and even energy savings. Choosing curtains should be a matter of careful consideration, but also a matter of creativity and fun.