Not sure how to dress up your windows? Here are some creative window covering ideas that can help transform a window into a fantastic designer showpiece.
To make a living room window look more formal try adding layers. Start with sheer casement curtains that hang from the top part of the window. Over that overlay a thicker heavier drape in a heavier fabric such as velvet or damask that hang from a high valance. A nice touch is to have the thicker heavier drape lined with a fabric that compliments your sheers. From here on in you can add a dramatic piece of cloth that twists around the valance or a fabric covered swag. Other nice touches are thick corded tiebacks with heavy tassels.
To make a bathroom look clean and crisp consider installing vertical or horizontal blinds. Most of them are made of materials such as polyvinyl that make them very easy to clean. Polyvinyl is also able to withstand the high humidity levels that are found in a typical bathroom. The reason that blinds can work so well in a bathroom is that you can buy them so that they open only at the top instead of the bottom. This allows you to keep the top of the window open while obscuring the view inside.
For an unusual, dramatic look try installing Roman shades. Roman shades are made of flat slats that are covered with your choice of fabric. This means you can match your shades exactly to the fabrics on pillows, furniture or bedding. These beautiful shades can also be augmented by swags that drape down to soften the look of them.
Not all windows need a real curtain, especially if you live in the country and the window is high enough. However a window without a curtain can sometimes look a bit naked. In this case you might just consider decorating it with a colorful swag or simply draping a vivid fringed scarf that is folded in half over a curtain rod to perk up the look of it a bit.
If you have a complicated looking window, like an arch or a casement that needs covering then you can always dispense with the idea of shades, blinds or curtains altogether and consider affixing laminate translucent paper to the window instead. This not only strengthens the window in case it breaks but it also allows a nice white soft light inside the room while still maintaining your privacy.