How to Make Ready Made Drapery Look Custom on Tuesday Tidbits

Typically, I do custom drapery for my clients, but there are times

when clients want rooms done so quickly there isn’t time to order fabric and get

custom made window treatments made by the time we need them. Don’t get me

wrong, given the preference, I choose custom window treatment every time, over

ready mades, but if time is of the essence, or the budget doesn’t allow, there

are good options out there for a variety of budgets. The trick is to use trade secrets to making the ready mades look custom.

First, let’s discuss places to buy ready mades options.

Restoration Hardware offers some good options. Their drapery are made from good quality fabrics and are available in many different fabrics from sheers and burlaps to silks. Their styles range from rod pockets, which are the cheapest to french pleats, which are the most expensive and some options in between. The colors available are based on paint colors, that have proven to be popular, so typically you can find something that will work for your room. Most of their options are solids or tone on tone, but there are a few stripes in the mix.

The Shade Store

The list can go on and on. I am only listing a few that are readily available to the public. Now there are many companies selling ready made panels. There are some “to the trade” options that designers knows about,

that I am not even listing.

If ready made drapery are used, how do we keep

them from looking ready made?

First of all, you must measure properly for your window treatments. Most companies selling ready made window treatments, give directions for measuring on their websites if not you can call them or google how to measure. Getting the measurement of your window is the first place to start. There are issues they don’t mention that can make a world of difference in the finished look of your window treatment. Let’s discuss these issues first, because they must be considered before ordering your panels.

1) Want to make that window treatment look custom?

Don’t skimp on the fabric.

Once you measure your window’s width, let’s say your window is 100″ wide. Do you need a drapery that will cover 100″?

Did you know a custom workroom typically measure a window and then either multiplies by 1 1/2 or 2 times the width of the window to determine how much fabric to use? Taking this into consideration will mean not just “covering” the window. There is nothing worse than a thinly made drapery panel stretched across a window. (Cheap!) Consider using double the amount of panels you think you need. If the company you are purchasing from offers double width panels, this is best, but if not, buy double width and sew the two panels together to get the fullness needed.

2) Consider your stack back space.

What is stack back? It is the wall on either side of your window where your drapery can hang. Click here for a couple of standard stack back formulas. This is a guide but you can vary depending on preferences. Stack back makes the window appear larger, which can create a great illusion, especially in a breakfast room or bedroom, allowing more light into the room. Make sure you take the stack back into account when ordering your rods. Again, no skimping!

3) Rod Pockets do not belong in living rooms, dining rooms or any space you want your drapery to look really professional!

There, I said it! If you want to take the cheaper route, and buy rod pocket panels, at least buy the rings and attach via drapery hooks, for a more finished look. Take these two photos for example:

The first example is a rod pocket panel from Ballard Design, straight out of the box, hung directly on the rod….

4) Make sure your drapery rods will hold your panels.

If you buy heavy panels, make sure your drapery rods will hold them!

Nothing is worse than having a dinky rod that is weighed down in the middle.

If you have to buy extra brackets to re-enforce your rods, do it!

5)Make sure your panels are long enough

Nothing is worse than high water drapery, floating mid-way your wall!

Again, take into consideration where you want your panels to hang. If you want them to be wall mounted or trim mounted, if you want them 4″ above the trim or 6″, also what type of rod and ring you are using. Do the Math! Add all these together. If you are using holdbacks add 4″ to the overall finished length. You might think you need 90″ panels, when actually you need 108″

6) Mount above your windows

I know I said above to decide if you want wall mount or trim mount but actually I feel that there is only one way….Wall mount! Don’t you want those windows to feel taller? I am a big fan of mounting as high up as you can, especially if you have 8′ or 9′ ceilings. Of course this changes if you have vaulted ceilings or really tall ceilings. Look at your windows and decide how high you can go, then add the inches to the equation. You will be happy with the results.

7) Customize the Ready made Panel

Adding a trim, fringe, braid or band of fabric to the edge of your panel will instantly elevate your ready made to custom level. No longer are you staring at a plain panel that anyone can purchase. You suddenly have something that co-ordinates with the rest of your room and fabrics. You can be creative with this too. If you want, you can paint a border on or cut fabric apart as the designer did below on the panel shown.

via

All in all, drapery add a finished look to a room. If you can afford custom drapery, by all means opt for that! However, if your budget doesn’t allow and you can only afford Target drapery, take into consideration the suggestions I have given you. I used Target Drapery in my beach house bedroom and everyone always wants to know who made the drapery, so

it is possible to get a custom look even with Target drapery.

The secret is to following tricks of the trade.

Have you used ready made panels? Any tricks you care to share?