Dear Expert: I need window coverings and I don’t like shutters. Are curtains out of style?
A. Well, the word “curtain” is out of style, but if you call it a window treatment, you are perfectly safe! The first priority in window treatments is to determine what you want for light and privacy. Options range from a simple sheer all the way to a full black-out. Decide what will work best for you. The key to any window treatment’s success is the “stack,” referring to the amount of space the treatment takes when fully opened. You don’t want the fabric to stack into the window glass—you want to be able to see as much of the window as possible. Floor-to-ceiling panels should stack either left or right of the window and shades should pull up and off the window completely to maximize the light and create the illusion of a bigger window. Factors include the height of the window and thickness of the material. Tall windows and thicker materials result in longer stacks.
Expert Note: Window treatments are a wonderful way to bring color, pattern, and warmth to your room. Consult your interior designer for the right treatment and fabric for your space.
—Brandi Hagen, principal, Allied ASID
Eminent Interior Design
