Style- Style is a major consideration, achieved by a subtle balance between fashion, period, personal taste, and practicalities.

Period- the decorative style you choose and the architectural period of the room and furnishings go hand in hand. For example swags and tails don't look right hanging on a cottage window and frilly chintzes are inappropriate among modern furniture.

Rooms- What function does the room have? Is it a day or evening room? Kitchen or bath room? Depending on the function of the room you may need special window treatments. For example in a bathroom or kitchen curtains which can be easily taken down, have no lining, and are washable should be used.

Light - Before starting any drapery project ask yourself how much light will be excluded?

Heat-Curtains play a key role in keeping a room warm or cool according to the season. Interlined curtains retain heat and exclude drafts. Some energy conserving measures that can be taken are:      
                -using thermal wallpaper
                -using filled bookcases on an outside wall to act as insulation
                -using large decorative rugs, tapestries, or fabric wall hangings on an outside wall
                -using carpet with a good pad underlay to help reduce transfer through floors
                -using furniture with skirts to help reduce drafts
                -using a reversible ceiling fan to pull the air up in the winter to circulate the warmer air and push air down in the summer by reversing it.

Privacy- Ask yourself how much privacy do you need? A bathroom window would obviously need more privacy than a kitchen window.

Colour- Certain colours will make a room look larger or smaller depending on their use. Warm colours (yellow, orange, red) advance or make it look like it is moving towards you. While cool colours (blue, violet, green) tend to recede.

Fading-In sunny windows avoid fabrics that tend to fade or rot. Click here for a chart on drapery fabric durability.

Cleaning & Maintenance- Depending on how often you plan on cleaning your curtains or drapes should be considered when choosing fabric and style. For example kitchens and bathroom curtains will need to be cleaned more frequently.

Personal Preference-Choose a window treatment that will make you happy. You may have to live with the treatment for many years to come. Your preferences will last longer than the current fad.