When you're decorating a room, it's important not to overlook the importance of drapes as a decorating tool. In addition to controlling the amount of light that is or isn't able to get into the room – which can be an important decorating choice in and of itself – drapes add depth and texture to the overall look of the room. Choosing the right colors and patterns is an important part of decorating with drapes, but it's also important to hang them properly if you want to get the desired effects. Take a look at some mistakes to avoid when choosing and hanging your drapes.

Choosing Drapes That Are Too Short

An important part of choosing drapes that will work in the room you're decorating is making sure that they're the right size. You have to measure not just your windows, but the distance between where you intend to place the curtain rod and the spot where you want the drapes to hit.

It's a common mistake to place the drapes directly above the top of the window. However, for a more flowing look, you should place the rod higher, close to the ceiling. This is especially important in small rooms with low ceilings. Placing the rod as high as possible is a visual trick that will make the ceilings appear to be higher and make the room feel larger.

You also need to know where you want the drapes to stop. For a classic and tailored look, you'll want the drapes to just barely hit the floor. This is a low-maintenance choice – the drapes will easily fall into place when you open and close them. However, for a formal dining room, you might prefer to choose drapes long enough to pool on the floor to create a romantic look. This is more work, because the fabric will need to be rearranged every time you open or close them, so it's a good choice for rooms that aren't used as often. There's also an in-between option, where the drapes have just a few short inches of slack on the floor. This modern and fashionable look is less work than the extremely long pooling drapes, and it can disguise an uneven floor.

Choosing Drapes That Aren't Wide Enough

Not only do you need to measure the window space for length, you need to measure it for width as well. Ideally, the combined width of your drapes should be two to two and a half times as long as the window space. That means if your windows are four feet across, your drapes should equal eight to ten feet across.

The exception is if you don't intend to actually shut the drapes – for example, if you have sheer curtains over the windows that you intend to use to block or allow light, and you're using the drapes simply as a framing device. In that case, the drapes need only be as wide as one and a half times the window space.

Forgetting to Iron

Before you hang the drapes for the first time, and also after any time you wash them, it's important to take the time to iron the wrinkles out. Many people think that they'll eventually lose their wrinkles while hanging, but they don't. Wrinkles are messy and lessen the impact that the drapes have on the room.

To iron the drapes properly, you need an iron that is at least 1400 watts and that produces steam while in a vertical position. You may need a clothing steamer or a handheld mini steamer. When you iron, start at the top of the panel and move gradually downward, holding the iron away from the fabric's surface. You may want to enlist a helper to hold the bottom hem while you work.

Don't forget to make sure that you have the proper hardware and tools to support the style of drapes that you choose from a shop like Budget Blinds Of Coachella Valley. Curtains that are properly measured and prepared before hanging will hang beautifully and enhance the overall look and feel of the room.