Doors and windows come in all shapes and sizes. The style of window covering you choose may be governed by a number of considerations

• Shape of window, i.e. arched, triangle, etc. These shapes will restrict your choice of style

• Drapes will stack to side. If two curtains with centre opening, curtains will stack on either side of the window / door when opened. Blinds stack up, you can install inside window frame, so stack up is over the window, or install high enough above the window allowing blind to clear the window completely.

• If window or door opens into the room, window covering would need to clear the opening, either draw to the side onto the wall, or draw up above door. You need to ensure there is sufficient room for this to be achieved.

• Sliding doors, again window covering needs to clear opening, either draw to one side across fixed panel of glass or draw high enough above door to enable movement through.

• Wall to wall windows / doors and floor to ceiling windows / doors. Consideration needs to given to the installation of blinds or curtain tracks, also stack up and side stacking of blinds or curtains.

• To eliminate light coming through above and to the sides of the window covering; installation of track or blind needs to go higher and wider than the window frame. Returns on ends of curtains, pelmets and valances will bring the curtain back onto the wall, further reducing the light filtering through, it also give a better finish.

• When choosing tracks remember that when curtains are open your track is exposed, a standard rail track may detract from the overall effect, a better result would be achieved using a top treatment, or a decorative track.

• On a wide expanse, timber poles require a centre support bracket, this means that your curtains will not meet in the centre, and if made as one curtain, you will be restricted to opening from sides, meaning curtain would need to stack to the middle of the window.