There are some very unique and fashionable curtain rods designs available today. Many of the major high street stores have a large collection of cheaper models that are typically imported from the far east. These are mass produced for the western market and while they may look the part, the quality is suspect at best. You get what you pay for as they say. The materials used are generally plastic and inferior wood that will start to show signs of wear quite quickly. Cheap wood will grain as the rings slide across from constant use, and can even splinter and chip, making opening and closing your curtains much harder. If the curtains snag on the wood it is easy to start pulling too hard on the fabric and cause damage.
Better quality rods are made by the smaller independent stores who hand craft their goods to order. The cost is a lot more but you will getting a quality item that will be far more durable and pleasing on the eye. It is also more satisfying to know you have a bespoke rod that someone has taken the time to create. Popular choices are made from ash, oak and maple wood. These are hard wearing and can be shaped into all sorts of intricate styles to suit the room they will be going into. Waxing and varnishing protects the wood and allows for deeper, richer colors to come out. Matching the rings is a good way to complete the overall package.
Wooden finials are the most elaborate part, and you can custom order the way they will look. Exciting creations can be made by talented craftsmen, and wood is easy to work with. The results can be spectacular, and are worth the expense. If you choose this route then try to get someone who is recommended, or at least ask to see some of their past creations. Many online specialists have catalogs and photos to browse through, which makes this process easier, and there usually customer testimonials that highlight their work. Just bear in mind that any online retailer is not going to put up any bad reviews of their products, it would not be very good for business would it?
Looking after any wooden rods is quite easy. If they become damaged you can always try to repair them yourself. Regular varnishing will help them last longer and keep them looking the part as well. It is also possible to change the finials, they are only screwed on and you can take them off in no time. Changing the finials is a quick way to create a new look, and on their own they don't cost so much. If the colors don't match exactly you can always paint or varnish until they do match.
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Probably one of the most overlooked features of window are the curtain rods and finials. For a lot of people this is the last thing they think about if they’ve chosen a curtain that covers most (if not all) of the curtain rod anyway. Who cares what it looks like? Well, someday you may fall in love with a curtain style, such as a button tabbed curtain, that prominently displays the rod underneath. You don’t want a $2 tin stick beside your adorable window treatments, you need something that makes a similar statement as the curtains.
This overlooked feature can really bring pizzazz to your décor and needs to complement both the window and the curtains you have chosen, as well as be appropriately functional.
Hardware for window treatments is available in a wide variety of styles. Some curtain rods are designed to be covered by the curtains, while others are best displayed prominently due to their highly decorative nature. If the rod is meant to be featured you could hang the curtains from decorative rings sewn into the top panel. Considering both the curtain and the rod at the same time will save you the disappointment of having pieces that don’t complement each other.
Today’s Lesson: Do you know what finials are? They are the decorative ends on the curtain rod. I didn’t know their official name for several years. I just called them “ends of the curtain rod.” They can be wooden, wrought-iron, glass, or plastic.
The most standard types are:
* hook
* the onion (or ball)
* the swirl
* the dagger
Finials can range widely in price, from the $2 plastic pieces to $100 very heavy fancy pieces. Consider your budget but also know that what you choose will make a certain statement in the room and that statement will last longer than the effects of spending a little extra money. You also have to be sure the finials will fit where you are hanging the curtain. Consider the shape of your window and the molding around it. In some cases there just isn’t room for large fancy finials, nor is it always appropriate for the style of curtain you’ve chosen.
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Curtain rods are the foundation for window treatments in the home. Knowing how to spruce up your windows with decorative curtain rods can transform a room. Curtain rod styles range from traditional to contemporary and add a finished quality to a living space. By adding these simple window decorations, you can change a room’s style quickly and inexpensively to make a casual or elegant statement with window treatments and accessories.
Much like a large painting, your window can become the focus of your room. Treated like a functional work of art, your windows can draw attention away from any flaws in the room and focus on outside views, or on the framework of the windows curtains, rods, valances, and other accessories.
You can choose from a large selection of colors, finishes, sizes, and materials of decorative curtain rods to match the style of a home and window treatments. Featured finial designs for decorative curtain rods from The Curtain Rod Store are hook, torch, onion, beaded ball, twist, ball, leaf, and glass onion. Most styles are available in black, nickel, antique white, and antique brass finishes. Matching holdbacks are available. All rods include hardware, and come in complete sets. The rods are easy to mount, and are durable and adjustable. Sizes are available in adjustable lengths from 28 to 120 inches.
In addition to decorative curtain rods, you can elegent up your windows with sheer curtain panels, valances, window curtain hardware, decorative curtains, magnetic curtain rods, magnetic blinds, curtain rod rings, decorative accessories, and magnetic shades.
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When you are doing the interior decoration of your home, you have to take care of the minutest of details. Not that you had to be told about this, but here is a check list that might just help you to effectively manage the decoration of your home. Decorating one's own home is a very exciting and pleasurable activity. One can derive immense joy in creative thinking and placing various kinds of objects strategically – right from the furniture to the walls to the curtains and even the curtain poles. Here is how you can start off:
You may or may not have a fair idea before starting the project of home renovation. Hold on! Before you decide the wall colour, it is better you decide a theme for your room, or just visualise how you want it to look like. A vague vision is also acceptable. Next, depending upon the vision you cherish, you can select a wall colour that will go along with your plans. Probably you want a bright room with a little ethnic touch, or you want to go for a modern and chick look where less is more.
Having decided the wall colour, you can then go for the furniture, fixtures and fittings. But hold on before you select the curtain poles. Before getting the curtain poles, it is better you decide on the curtains. Select a material and print that best suits the theme of the room. Then accordingly select the curtain poles. You can buy curtain poles that match with the curtains as well as the walls or look similar to the furniture. This makes the curtain poles look in line with the whole room.
Curtain poles may be just another piece of fixture in your room, but they have a critical role to play too. If they are a mismatch, then they will stand out and look out of place. This can spoil the entire beauty of the room – so be careful while you select your curtain poles.
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Arched windows, bay windows, bow windows - they look so beautiful in any interior. But when you need to choose window treatment for such windows, you may face a big dilemma: to cover, or not to cover. On one hand they add a unique charm to your room, but on the other hand they look bare without dressing. And besides, sometimes you want to keep your privacy and reduce light, coming outside, don't you? If you are facing such problem, don't worry - curved curtain rods can be a wonderful solution if you consider adding draperies, valances or window scarf to your non-standard windows.
Besides, there are several variations of drapery hardware for curved windows. There are a number of companies that produce various types of curved, flexible and bendable drapery rods and tracks. They may vary by materials and price, so do your search and you will definitely find a solution for your curved windows.
Before looking for the drapery hardware, decide about window treatment style that you would like to add to your curved window. Do you want to hang draperies? If so, what kind of them? Will it be heavy weighted draperies or light sheers? Maybe you need a set of draperies? Are you going to add also valances, pelmet, or swags? Or, maybe you plan only to put decorative window scarf above the arched window to enhance its beauty? For every of these choices you may need a different type of curved window rods.
Options you may consider for your curved windows:
- Custom curved rods - you can get traverse rods or wrought iron rods. Traverse rods are usually made of aluminum and may vary in how much weight you can hang on them. Iron rods are sturdier and look more attractive. It means that you can use them for heavy weighted draperies and can do without valances or pelmets - iron rod itself can be an eye-catching element of your window treatment, especially with decorative finials. White or colored draperies or window scarves will look very attractive with black or painted iron rod.
- Bay window curtain rods - these curtain rods are designed especially for bay windows. They are usually made of metal with white finish. They come in variety of sizes and can be adjust to your specific bay window. Keep in mind that there is a limitation of how much weight they can support. Check it out when you shop for them. You have also an option to get double bay window curtain track if you need to hang a set of draperies or draperies with a valance.
- Flexible traverse curtain tracks - a wonderful solution for many kinds of non-standard and curved windows such as corner, bay, bow and arched windows. Some companies sell them by foot, others - in rolls or as a single wide track that you can cut and bend for your specific window. A minimal radius is usually 12". These metal tracks can be standard, medium duty and heavy duty - for light, medium weighted and heavy weighted draperies.
- Bendable curtain rods - are good for arched, oval and eyebrow windows. They become invisible under curtains because they are made of clear plastic. Like a flexible metal track, they can be easily cut and bend for your curved window. You can get a window hardware kit that includes the rod, parts and instructions for installation.
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It's funny; most of us don't think we're creative, especially when it comes to decorating our homes. We've all heard someone say, "Oh, I just don't think that way. I'm just not creative!" But you know they are - everything in their lives proves it. And you know if they had to pick a new curtain rod they wouldn't be as overwhelmed as you.
Don't laugh - curtain rods are an important part of your decorating scheme. They're like wardrobe accessories: they finish the outfit, make the room pull together and give your windows a completed look. Just start looking at photos of rooms and imagine different curtain rods for the window treatments - you'll understand. It really is important to choose the right curtain rod! Let's break this process down into a few fast and east steps. Here we'll address that imagination thing - how to know what will fit best in your room.
The trick to choosing a curtain rod knows your style, your window, your room . . . your self. Now don't panic, we're going to explain how you can do this without losing any brain cells or sanity. It can be as easy as just looking around your room.
So let's start there: look around your room. Do you know your style? Define it, and name the items in the room that match it. Want to take this a step further? Ask yourself: if you could, what would you add to the room to make it even better? This will sharpen your focus while you look for a curtain rod.
That didn't help figure out your style? It's okay, that's why we're here, to help you figure it out. Let's go back to the room.
Sit down in the room and make a list of everything in it you like. Now take a close look at the list. What do all these things have in common: color, style, texture? This exercise may be all you need to get a good idea of what your style is and lead you easily to the next step of picking out a curtain rod: deciding on the right type curtain rod.
Or it might not. If you're still not sure go to your clothes closet and take a look. What kind of clothes do you prefer? Now the key word here is preferred. Lots of us have a closet full of work clothes but they may not be what we put on Saturday morning. So look at the clothes you like - or love - to wear. Are they all-dressed-up fancy, casual, grungy, themed (you know, like sports)? What color is most predominant?
Now think. Do your rooms and clothes have anything in common? If they do you're set, and ready for the next step in narrowing down your selection of curtain rods: choosing that right type curtain rod.
Still not sure what your style is? We get it - for some people there are just way too many other things in life that are more important. That's okay. But you're still reading this, so it's time to move on and figure out your style for your new curtain rods!
Here's a simple strategy: go to a bookstore or library and get a stack of decorating books - ones with lots of pictures. Sit down in a comfy chair and start thumbing through. Make notes while you're looking. What do you like in each picture? Maybe it's the color of the walls, or the combination of room colors. Do you like the trim style? Perhaps it's the furniture that's grabbed you. Maybe there's nothing you like, or something you really don't like. When you're done look at your list: what do they all have in common?
By now you should feel a lot more confident about what your style is, and picking out your new curtain rods will be so much easier! And don't worry: if you're thinking you're still totally un-imaginative and this just won't work for you, hang in there. You might be one of those people who has to go through all the steps before the light comes on and you understand. So just keep moving forward.
And congratulate yourself - you've taken the first step toward choosing those new curtain rods. You've got your style nailed down, or at least loosely gripped, and it's time for the next step: deciding what type rod will work best for your window treatment. Are you ready?
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Windows are important components of a home. They provide occupants of a home a view of their outdoor environment. Windows also allow sunshine to get into our homes and provide the natural warmth we so desire especially during cold weather.
As they are staples to any home, windows deserve to be given utmost attention notably when designing an interior space. Whether they're large or just the regular size, they have to be properly designed and covered with the appropriate materials according to the wishes of the homeowner.
For those who love to hang curtains and draperies, curtain rods are a must. Curtain rods have to be sturdy and made from durable material in order for it to last long. These can be used in the living room and bathroom. Curtain rods for the living room usually have decorative finials or brackets at the end of the tubing while those used for the bathroom are self-fixing.
Curtain rods today come in different styles and made from various materials such as wood, plastic, cast iron and metal. They can either be the straight rods or the curved type to fit a curved shaped window. These curtain rods are further enhanced with other accessories such as clip rings, wall finials and tassels for a lovelier window.
Keep in mind that a living room is the first area visitors get to see when they step into your home. It should reflect the homeowner's personality and style hence, make sure that windows are not ignored when decorating your interior space. The bathroom can also be one of your family's favorite spaces and so hanging curtain showers on a beautiful curtain rod can make the space more stunning.
Did you know that there's even a national curtain rod day celebration in the United States? Yes, there is and it's commemorated on December 16 of each year. Last 2008, the annual celebration marked its third year.
Installing a curtain rod should be easy. You just need to screw the brackets using a power drill and a screwdriver.
Once your materials are ready, choose the proper position for the brackets. To make your room appear spacious and your ceiling look higher, it's best to put your curtain rod nearer the ceiling. If you want to create a wider look for your window, position your brackets away from the sides of the window frame.
The next step is to mark the position of the brackets as well as the holes for the screws. Drill the holes and then attach the bracket but make sure not to tighten the screw too much. You may also chip the paint of your wall when drilling the holes but that won't be much of a problem as the bracket will cover it.
Once you've installed the bracket and curtain rod, take care not to put too much weight right away.
In choosing your curtain rod, ensure that the material you buy will be able to carry the weight of the curtains. If you want to use heavy draperies or if your rod is longer than the regular length of 48 inches, a center bracket may be needed.
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