Whether you call them curtains, draperies, or window treatments, what you put on your windows can completely change the look—and function—of a room.

Fall is a great time to take another look at your windows and think about what you need from them. Depending on where you live, that might mean adding insulation for colder weather, darkening a room, blocking strong sunlight, or simply adding more privacy. As the days get shorter and the lights stay on longer inside, privacy can become something you notice a little more.

Start With What You Need

Before you start thinking about fabric or style, think about what you need your window treatments to do.

Do you need privacy? Are you trying to keep a bedroom darker? Would additional insulation be helpful? Do you want to filter sunlight without completely blocking it?

Then think about how you'll actually use them. Will you open and close them every day, or will they remain open as decorative panels?

What Do You Want Them to Look Like?

Now comes the fun part. Do you love a tailored pleated drapery? Something soft and full? Simple panels? Grommets?

Take some time to look at different styles and see what catches your eye. Pinterest, decorating magazines, fabric websites, interior-design sites, and even hotel rooms and restaurants can be great places to find ideas. Save the looks you love—you may begin to notice a pattern in the styles you're drawn to.

Now Look at Your Windows

You've found some ideas you love—but will they work on your windows?

Take a good look at the window itself and the space around it. Does your window have trim, or no trim at all? Is there enough wall space above and beside the window for the treatment you're considering?

Will your treatment be mounted inside the window opening or outside it? Do you want it to extend all the way to the floor, stop at the window sill, or fall somewhere in between?

Also look at what's around the window. Furniture, heating vents, doors, handles, deep window sills and other features can all affect what will work in the space.

You don't need to have every measurement figured out yet. At this point, you're simply making sure the window treatment you've fallen in love with makes sense for the window you actually have.

Think About Fabric and Lining

Once you have an idea of what you want your window treatments to do and how you'd like them to look, you can start thinking about fabric.

A beautiful fabric may catch your eye, but also consider how it will hang and whether it's appropriate for the style you're creating.

Then think about lining. Your choice of lining can depend on what you're trying to accomplish—privacy, light control, insulation, or simply giving your finished draperies more body.

Don't Forget How They Will Hang

How your window treatments hang is part of both the function and the finished look.

Will they hang from a decorative rod? Rings? A traverse system? Will they open and close regularly or stay stationary? Are you creating pleats, using grommets, or making simple panels?

Thinking through these decisions before you begin can save a lot of frustration later.

From Inspiration to Planning

Once you have a good idea of what you want, it's time to measure, calculate and start planning your project. How wide is your window? How long will your finished treatment be? How much fullness do you want? And how much fabric will you need?

Having the right tools can make this part a whole lot easier. Fabric calculators can help you determine yardage, while drapery and grommet tapes can help with consistent spacing and placement. The right measuring tools, sharp scissors and cutting mats can make construction easier and more accurate.

At Home Sewing Depot, we have many of the tools that can help you along the way, from the first measurements to the finishing touches.

Take your time, plan before you cut, and most importantly, enjoy creating something that works beautifully for your windows and your home.

We'd Love to See What You Create!

Share your finished window treatments with us—or even better, send us your before-and-after photos. We always enjoy seeing how your projects come together and how a new window treatment can transform a room.