Boring, old drapes aren’t often even noticed in a room. But with funky, bold drapery design ideas you can make drapes key to the look of your home.

Drapes are inexpensive ways to change how a room looks. They’re also great in helping draw attention to the spectacular views outside. Or they can help with privacy from passers-by.

Change up your home and windows with some new drapes.

Here are 6 drapery design ideas to get you thinking. You just might find the inspiration to go drape crazy.

1. Light and Sheer

For airy, contemporary style choose drapes made of light and sheer materials. Drapes like these work well in rooms with high ceilings and large windows. Sheer, lightweight materials allow the light to come through into the room even when the drapes are closed for privacy.

2. Dark and Heavy

Deep blues, vivid purples, bold reds. Choose dark, heavy and colorful material for statement rooms. Match the drape color to the wall color for an even bolder statement.

Dark and heavy materials work well with lower ceilings. The drapes will be open most of the time because they will block almost all light into the room. So, it’s important to consider how the drapes will hang when open.

3. Patterned Drapery Design Ideas

For fun drapery design ideas, consider a pattern. Fruit and flowers for the kitchen. Geometric patterns for the office or teenager’s bedroom. 

Patterns are intense so think carefully about where you put them. Make sure the decor in the rest of the room can handle the slightly over-the-top nature of a striking pattern in your drapes.

4. Modern or Traditional

There are traditional and modern styles of drapes. Most of the difference can be seen in the pleats and folds. Choose a style that matches the room. You don’t want a striking contrast between a contemporary room and a traditional style.

Modern drapes include chic, inverted pleats, deep-folded grommet style, and the Euro pleat that has a waterfall style to the drapery.

Traditional drape styles include rod pockets that allow the drapes to hand directly from the rod. There’s also the elegant and sophisticated goblet style. Or choose a box pleat that has big, deep folds and lots of material.

5. Complementary or Contrasting

Another choice to consider is whether the drapes should match or contrast the rest of the room.

Color is the most obvious way to complement or contrast when thinking about drapery design ideas. But patterns and material choices should also go into your design decisions.

In rooms with a strong design ethic of their own, the drapes should complement the overall design. If the room has a more eclectic look then a contrasting style will work better.

6. Hardware in Drapery Design Ideas

Something that many people don’t think about when considering their drapes is the hardware.

Hardware isn’t just the curtain rod. There are rings, brackets, and even tiebacks to think about, too. Metal has increasingly become the go-to material to use for the hardware. 

For fun in your drapery design ideas consider metals such as stainless steel, copper, antique brass, or wrought iron. Choose a metal that suits your drapery material and room. Because the hardware is less obvious than the drapes themselves you can be a bit bolder in your hardware choices.

Don’t Forget the Drapes!

Drapes are sometimes a functional afterthought. But with this guide to drapery design ideas, you now have the inspiration to make your drapes the stars of the room.

Think about colors, patterns, and materials and how they will work in each room. Whether you complement or contrast you still want the drapes to fit the overall look of the room.

We’ve been treating windows as the star of the room for a long time. So, give us a call to talk to a design expert. We can help you make your windows shine whether it’s with drapes, blinds, or other treatments.