Before you start decorating your windows consider the different aspects of your rooms that will assist you in choosing style, colour and fabric that will best suit. Decide on what is the best feature of the room, it might be high ceilings, an arch, the view, the shape of the window.

Conversely, draw attention away from the negatives, if the view from your window is an ugly fence, block it out, if the room is dark, use light warm colours.

Kitchen

When you consider that usually, the walls are covered by cupboards, the room is subject to moisture, heat, steam, smoke and fat, you need to select a treatment that is hard wearing, washable, or able to be cleaned regularity. Refer to your basic consideration of privacy, light control, and lifestyle. The kitchen is the most used room in the house, it is becoming increasingly an entertainment area. Blinds are ideal, they can be drawn up and away from the splatters of cooking and water, venetians can be wiped over, an austrian in a washable fabric would work, or a cafe style curtain, in washable fabric might be another consideration. If privacy and insulation is not a consideration, you might choose a top treatment only.

Bedroom

Consideration should be given to - light control - noise - privacy - furniture placement - bedcoverings.

Ideally select window coverings and bed linen as a joint project, enabling you to co-ordinate fabrics. If this is not possible add items in the same or co-ordinate fabric to tie it all together, such as cushions, lampshade, table topper set.

Curtain lining will block out light, reduce noise,and give privacy, you can use block out lining if you require a dark room. The added bonus of lining is that it helps your curtains to drape better, and protects your fabric from the effects of sunlight.

Choose a window covering style that won't restrict the placement of furniture, if you need to position a chest of draws directly under a window drapes may not be your best option.

Nursery

The same considerations apply in the nursery as with other bedrooms, but added to them, you need to remember that your baby will out grow the nursery before the furnishings need to he replaced.

When selecting fabrics, you may choose a plain fabric for drapes and introduce a nursery print for tie backs, valance, cushion, lampshade, change table, etc. As your child grows out of the nursery style you simply change the nursery print items, this time co-ordinating with the bedcovering, selecting a fabric in colours that will work well with the plain drapes.

Lounge & Dining

Is your lounge and dining one large area or two separate rooms? If two rooms, do you want to carry the same theme in both? Who uses this room/s? If you have young children who use this area regularly, you need to consider the serviceability of fabrics and colours. Are you starting from scratch or will you retain existing colour and furniture?

In the dining area, you may choose drapes with a top treatment, such as pelmet or valance, while the lounge area may not be able to accommodate drapes due to furniture placement.

You could carry the same theme into both areas using the same fabric or a co-ordinate fabric for just the top treatment, or the top treatment with a different style of window covering (if privacy, and or light control are a consideration). Cushions, lamp-shades, table cloths, and upholstery in the same or co-ordinate fabric will create a totally co-ordinated look.

Family Room

As with all the other rooms, consider your requirements for insulation, light control, privacy, etc. Add to that other considerations such as - is the family room adjoining your kitchen? If so, co-ordinate your window coverings, you may choose the same or co-ordinate fabric but select a different style. Furniture placement and age of people using the room are all considerations to bear in mind when selecting style of window covering, type of fabric (washability) and colour.

Bathroom

As with the kitchen consider - humidity and moisture - size, usually the bathroom is one of the smallest rooms with small windows, which are usually frosted - large expanse of hard surface.

Privacy isn't usually an issue, but to soften your bathroom you can add towels, shower curtain and window coverings. If for instance you have a timber vanity, timber Venetians may look great, or perhaps an austrian, or top treatment in a washable fabric