Window Treatment Hardware Trends

The commercial market for window treatment hardware has come a long way in the last 20 years. No longer must you be satisfied with boring drapery or curtain rods such as plain metal traverse rods with the only decision being how long it needed to be!

The home furnishings niche in window coverings and treatments has evolved to offer consumers a nearly endless array of rods, finials and finishes from polished metal to iron, ceramic, glass and many types of wood, meeting whatever theme and style of décor you choose.

With so many options availalable it can be a daunting task to select the right hardware when designing window coverings these days. In a previous article, we have presented the various types of window treatment hardware available on the market today. But in this article, we’ll show you how to match window treatments and hardware for a unique look that completes your interior design style and tastes to a perfect tee.

Visible or Hidden Hardware for Your Window Treatment

First you will want to decide whether to hide the hardware that allows you to open and close your window treatment. Do you prefer a clean and uncluttered look in keeping with contemporary interior design aesthetics? Or is something a bit more bold and stylish more to your liking?

For the modern look, you can select hardware that is concealed, allowing for clean lines and a simple, yet stylish elegant window covering. But for a more formal look, you can use hardware to accentuate and complete your window treatment in high style that matches the theme, furnishings, colour and textures of your room décor.

Function and Form are Equally Important

While the style of your window treatment hardware is worth careful consideration, you also want convenience and ease of operation. Try these tips when considering the type of hardware and how you want your window treatment to operate:

• Cordless window shades and blinds give you flexible light control without exposing lift cords that may not be in keeping with the look you want to achieve
• A double rod accommodates layered window treatments quite well; with a layer of sheers over drapes, or a valance over the top of drapes for example
• It is important to match the style and weight of the hardware to the draperies or curtains selected; use heavier, sturdy rods with heavy drapery fabrics or a lightweight, thinner rod with sheer panels or silks
• The modern cable systems available are especially desirable if you have large or extremely wide windows and work nicely in a contemporary style room with straight lines and a more minimalist look; these types of controls also increase the ease of operations and flexibility for controlling light and privacy in a room

Adding Texture to Your Window Treatment

Texture is something we typically think of when considering fabric and materials to use in window coverings, but you can also add texture by selecting hardware that matches the furnishings in your room.

For instance, if you have furnishings with ornate carvings, you might try and find finials for your curtain or drapery rods that match the design of your furniture.

If you have used wrought iron, wicker or other materials in your room décor, then it will make sense to look for similar textures and finishes when selecting your window treatment hardware.

Additional Window Treatment Hardware Tips

• Since you have so many options available when selecting window treatment hardware, try to keep the following ideas and tips in mind as you design your coverings:
• If you want draperies that can be opened and closed, you will want sliding rings or a draw cord system for ease of use; stationery panels can be simply gathered onto a rod or hung using tab tops or ties
• A layered window treatment offers the most flexibility; use blinds or shades as an under treatment for light and privacy, with more decorative panels on top to give style, colour and pattern
• Unique hardware, including rods, ties and finials are the key to separating your window treatment from the usual boring design; find finishes, design elements and styles that set your overall window treatment apart and complement the overall theme of each room in your home
• Don’t forget to keep things in scale; you wouldn’t want to use heavy cornices, finials or valances in a room with low ceilings for instance; simple, lightweight panels can help add verticality to a room with such low ceilings, while a large space with high ceilings will really benefit from the more decorative look of toppers
• You can also add height and a more vertical appearance to a room by installing the rod well above the top of the window frame, allowing you to use longer panels reaching from ceiling all the way to the floor
• Choose window treatment hardware that is in keeping with the theme of your room; a country style room may be decorated with simple rods made of rustic pine, iron or a painted white finish while a more formal room can benefit from carved wood, metallic or faux-painted rods with decorative finials and draperies with fancier rings

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