Ever wonder how the window treatments in magazines and on TV always look so amazing? They’re flawless right? They always seem to make the room. Well I’ll let you in on a little secret… It’s not magic. It’s just a bit of proper planning and knowing a few key things that can make or break the design. Ready to learn the 5 secrets that decorators use to make window treatments look amazing? Let’s get into it!
 

5 Secrets Decorators Use To Make Window Treatments Look Amazing, #1: Know What Kind Of Window You Have!

Now before you say, well duh.. Hear me out. Not every window requires full drapes to make them look amazing. Depending on your style of window you might want to 86 the 84 length panels in favor of cellular shades or maybe another type of window covering that compliments the style of your home or highlights the architectural detail of the window frame. For example, you would not want to dress a clearstory window, those high windows that are usually above eye level toward the top of the wall, with long panels on either side.  
 

The general rule of thumb that I follow is form follows function for dressing windows. What I mean by this is think about how the window itself functions. Does the window have cranks that you need to access to open it? Does it open from the bottom up or slide one side to the other? All of these things will factor into how the window is dressed and how much fussing needs to happen in order to make to the window function as it should. My advice would be to choose a treatment that minimizes the amount of fussing with in favor of window function. There are lots of beautiful window treatments that look great when installed but still give you the function required. 
 

Here’s a handy graphic that shows some of the most common types of windows in homes today. 
 

5 Secrets Decorators Use To Make Window Treatments Look Amazing, #2: Know How To Measure Your Window.
 

Getting the measurements of your window down before you buy your treatments is essential. This is where ALL great window treatments start and it is the “make or break” step. If you go out and find a ready made set that you love and find that they are too long or too short once you get them home that can be very disappointing. Not to mention, what if you base your upholstery, wall colors, or any other significant factor on the colors of your window treatments and they don’t work? That is an expensive bummer. So to help you avoid buying the wrong treatment from the get go, here is a handy little diagram that shows you exactly what measurements you need to know when shopping. 
 

First begin by drawing a sketch of how your window looks. For this example I used the good ol’ double hung. If your window doesn’t look like this, that’s okay. The measurements all apply anyway. Simply record the measurements from 1 to 9. This is very helpful for finding your own amazing ready made panels or if you enlist the help of a professional to create custom treatments.  
 

5 Secrets Decorators Use To Make Window Treatments Look Amazing, #3: Know Exactly Where to Install Your Drapery Rod.
 

There is definitely a sweet spot for placing the drapery rod above the window. My rule is you NEVER want to mount your hardware on the windows themselves. This is especially true if your casings are beautiful or a legitimate architectural feature in the room. Instead attach your drapery rod or hardware directly onto the wall. I like to go above the window four to six inches and at least the same distance outside of the window frame to compensate for the fullness of the panels on either side. Placing the hardware or rod higher than 6 inches runs the risk of making it look awkward. On the bottom, you want your panels to break about an 1” above the floor or they should just touch the floor. Here’s a little graphic to illustrate what this looks like.
 

5 Secrets Decorators Use To Make Window Treatments Look Amazing, #4: Make Your Windows Look Larger By Adjusting The Fullness Of Your Panels.
 

This tip is a bit more specific to drapery panels as opposed to window treatments in general, but I do love a good panel so I think it is worth mentioning. I see a lot of windows in my line of business and it is actually pretty rare that The windows are gigantic focal points. I have seen my share of show stopping, focal point, windows too but the majority are pretty regular, functional windows that aren’t all that spectacular. The way that I like to make a smaller window look amazing is by doubling or tripling the fullness of the drapery panels. This, of course, depends on the amount of wall space on either side of the window, but it really does the trick to make the window look larger. 
 

5 Secrets Decorators Use To Make Window Treatments Look Amazing, #5: Always Iron Your Panels.
 

Think about it this way: You’ve found the most beautiful panels and you can’t wait to get them home and you know they will look amazing. You’ve done your homework by measuring and you know these amazing drapes will finish off your room to perfection! In all the excitement, you run home and put them up without ironing them. Once they’re all up and you’re exhausted from wrestling with the rods, maybe climbing up and down on a ladder.. You step back to take in the view and all you see is the fold marks on the drapes. My friend, there’s nothing worse than having to take all your hard work down to iron out the wrinkles only to have to install them all over again. Not fun!
 

There you have it, 5 secrets that decorators use to make window treatments look amazing! Now go out and make an amazing window cover design of your own. I’d love to hear how yours turn out. Leave a comment below and feel free to send me some pictures at hello@michaelhelwiginteriors.com  
 

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Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.