As any decorator will tell you, curtains make a room—but only when chosen correctly. When it comes to window treatments, it's a matter of color and fabric, length and lining, and custom-made versus off-the-shelf. With so many decisions, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, so we asked the pros for advice on narrowing down the options and selecting the right curtains for your home. Fabric is an essential part of choosing curtains, since the material will dictate how well your curtains function and hold up over time. "If they're too heavy, they may not fold crisply when drawn; too light and they may not fall well," says designer Suysel DePedro Cunningham of Tilton Fenwick. Lana Lawrence, who is vice president of Anthony Lawrence-Belfair curtain fabricators and who works with designers like Alexa Hampton and Katie Ridder, suggests holding fabrics up to a window, even in a fabric showroom. "Pleat it like an accordion at the top and let it drape," she says. "If it starts to flare like a piece of crinoline, then it's not going to fall nicely on the window."

Work with a big sample, at least 2 yards, since a smaller piece may not show the fabric's true drape. Sunlight will fade fabrics over time. If the room gets a lot of light, it's smart to avoid bright colors, since they tend to fade faster. "Still, if you like to change out your rooms often, you can be less concerned with fading," says Alice Guercio, vice president of product development at Kravet. Delta Vacuum Cleaner HoseCunningham suggests going with neutral colors, since they're less likely to fade and more likely to blend into a room's decor. Dell Laptop Screen Brightness Windows 7Linen, silk, faux silk, and velvet are best choices to use for window treatments since they tend to hang the best, says Guercio. Akon T Shirts"Faux silk tends to be the most durable," she says.

And in a particularly sunny room, faux silk doesn't deteriorate as quickly as real silk. Some fabrics can help keep out the cold. Many hotels use suede, velvet, tapestry, or tweed since their weight helps block light and keep heat in. Still, nearly any fabric can be interlined with bump, a thick, insulating felt material. And interlining—a piece of fabric slipped between the lining and the face fabric—can also help prolong the life of the curtains. "If silk is unlined, it will rot," says Lawrence. Adds Cunningham: "Lining and interlining are what give curtains their body and fullness." Before you take out the tape measure, decide how high above the window you'd like the curtains to begin. Keep in mind: "Hanging panels higher than the window will give a sense of height to the room," says Cunningham. Designers often hang curtains about six inches above the window frame, but for a dramatic look, some go higher. Measure from the top of the window (plus the added inches of height where the curtains will hang from) to the floor.

For a more traditional look, with the curtain slightly puddled on the floor, you'll want to add another two or three inches to your length. For a modern, crisp look, have the panel fall flush with the floor. When measuring the width of your window, be sure to add four to eight inches on both sides and double the total number to ensure curtain fullness. "Then you won't block a lot of window glass when the curtains are open, and they won't get in the way," says Lawrence. If you plan to use the curtains to shut out the sun, those extra inches around the perimeter of your window frame will also help block out any creeping light. Off-the-Shelf vs. Custom Window TreatmentsCustom window treatments offer many benefits: You can customize the dimensions to your window size and create a tailored look, like a perfectly fitted suit. Custom panels come in endless design options, from material to header style. With these options though, comes a considerable price difference from off-the-shelf curtain panels.

If custom curtains just aren't in your budget, Cunningham suggests spending a little more money on high-quality retail window treatments. She and her partner, Anne Maxwell Foster, like Restoration Hardware's Heavyweight Textured Belgian Linen Curtain Panels. Lawrence says that the ready-made curtains at ABC Carpet & Home are also a great choice for high-quality window treatments.Working with a Professional Interior Designer, will most likely streamline this entire process, but for those consumers who want to be a few steps ahead of the mainstream, we are going to discuss, "Textile Education 101." The photos that are posted in this article are primarily to show a current installation, using "outdoor fabric" on interior applications. Fibers and textiles, don't look like they used to, 10 or 15 years ago. It's incredible to understand the capabilities and specifications, which the textile industry has made possible. Industries like the airlines and hotels are forced to meet such high standards, to keep the consumer safe and comfortable.

Safety is required to help eliminate fire and health problems. Codes have been established, to help the consumer understand what expectations to have about the products we buy. The labels manufactures provide are required by the US Government. All products which are sold have these manufactures' labels. They advise us consumers, as to the contents which a product is made. The tags indicate “how to care for the product” and “life expectancy.” Along with care and maintenance advice, there usually is an explanation of warranty. Most representatives, including a knowledgeable sales person, should be able to advise the consumer, as to the best choice to make, when buying something. In this case, it is very important to define the purpose of the fabric. For example, How will the fabric need to perform? Then, it becomes easier to determine which fabrics are suited to achieve this function. Let’s just back up a bit, to understand the history behind “Outdoor Fabrics” and what they were originally designed to do.

The main purpose of the outdoor fabric was to resist water. They were designed to hold up and retain their color in extreme conditions of moisture and long hours of direct sunlight. Companies, like Sunbrella, became recognizable brands in the marketplace. They designed fabrics which could be used for outdoor furniture, awnings, for the marine industry and many similar applications. For years, these fabrics were appreciated for the specific challenges, which they were successfully able to undergo. Today, it's very difficult to see or feel the difference between a textile that is classified for “outdoor” application, and one which can only be used, inside. The photo with a close-up of the window covering, is specifically to illustrate an outdoor fabric being used on an interior application. The “hand” as we call it, is significantly very soft, and extremely pliable. No one would visually be able to distinguish this fabric from a silk or a polyester. Polyester, rayon and nylon fabrics, all used to make us cringe.

But, that's not so today. The main concept to understand, in regards to textile application, is to be familiar with the consumer labels attached to everything we buy. It is a good idea to know what to look for? And, it certainly doesn’t hurt to understand what these labels mean. “Solution dyed” is the buzz word today. When the fabric is solution dyed, it can undergo extreme conditions in both inside and outside applications. I can honestly say, that solution dyed fabrics, are Pet friendly, Kid friendly and even Clorox friendly. "Solution-dyed" means it will not fade in direct sunlight. You can wipe the textile, all the way through, with products like Clorox. And, it will not change the integrity of the fabric. This is pretty cool, as far as, this Mom can say. There are many manufactures that are producing textiles, both fabrics and carpets, which will meet the conditions to be sold for outdoor application. These fabrics and carpets, definitely add value to our purchases for our homes and offices.

Check out Kravet Soliel fabrics, Perennials’ Fabrics, and Sunbrella. Most of the larger fabric manufacturers, have a portion of product that is specifically designed to withstand difficult situations. Some fabrics are made which don't look like they can withstand very wet conditions, and extreme conditions of direct sunlight. Fabrics which are classified as “solution dyed,” and/or "outdoor fabrics," are definitely worth becoming familiar with. If you're working with an Interior Designer, or any member of "the trade,” discuss this type of construction with them. They should be able to direct you to many manufacturers, which offer products, at all different price levels. These fabrics significantly add more value. They are easier to keep clean and they will retain the original color under much more difficult situations. It's worthwhile to look into this product type, before selecting a new fabric to reupholster an old piece of furniture. And, I wouldn’t consider buying new, without exhausting the possibility that there is a fabric, in the right color and with the specific texture, which defines the look you're trying to achieve.