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Windows are a natural focal point and, in modern houses particularly, they can take the place of a fireplace or chimney breast in giving architectural interest to a blank wall. Curtains, blinds and shutters come in all shapes and sizes, to suit all kinds of window, and some windows look good enough to need barely any dressing at all.

The two main elements to consider with a window are the amount of light it lets in and the amount of privacy it gives you.

Remember that the more you get of one, the less you’ll have of the other. Rooms where you spend a lot of time — living rooms and kitchens, for instance — will generally benefit from a good supply of light, and you probably won’t feel it necessary to keep the window heavily screened unless your house fronts a busy street. In bedrooms and bathrooms, on the other hand, light and privacy need to be carefully balanced.

The view framed by the window needs to be taken into account too. If there’s a pleasant outlook, you’ll want a window treatment that makes the most of it. And a less attractive view can be just as effectively hidden or disguised by careful use of curtains and blinds.

You also need to think about the structure of the window itself. How big is it and what shape? If it’s small, you want to be careful you don’t obscure it by vast quantities of fabric so that it doesn’t let in any light at all. To make it looklarger and let in maximum light, fix a long pole so that the curtains can be pulled right back on either side. If it’s an awkward shape, on the other hand, or set in an awkward position, you can use a clever window treatment to change the shape visually or improve the proportions of the room. A tall, thin window can be widened by fitting a deep pelmet with wide-set curtains. If the window is set towards a corner, you can balance the proportions of the room by hanging a single curtain on the side nearest the adjacent wall — this will give the effect of bringing the window further into the room.

CURTAINS

Curtains are as versatile as the fabric you make them from, and can be adapted to create a host of different effects. They can be cut to any length and trimmed to any shape. They can be lined, unlined or completely sheer. Don’t be put off by the thought of fiddly pleats, gathers and layers of lining: some of the most effective window treatments are the simplest to put together.

The fabric you use — its weight and texture as well as colour and pattern — will depend on the style of curtain you want. As long as the fabric has the right weight and drape to create the desired effect, and your heading and fixings are strong enough to support it, you can use more or less any fabric. If the fabric is very light — net or muslin, for instance — weighted tape sewn into the hems of the curtains will make them hang better.

The key is never to skimp on the amount of fabric: you’ll achieve a more luxurious effect with a quantity of cheap fabric than with a more modest length of something expensive. Lightweight dress fabrics are often cheaper than materials designed specifically for furnishing, and will be perfectly good for a small, simple curtain. And you should make the most of large, ready- made panels of fabric such as bed covers, table cloths and sheeting where you can — as well as saving on cost, you won’t have to stitch extra widths together!

Remember that an obvious repeat pattern will need more skill to make up, and you’ll also have to buy more fabric to match the widths. The easiest fabrics to work with are plain colours, allover random patterns, and simple checks and stripes, especially if they are the same on both sides, like gingham or ticking, so that you don’t need a lining.

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