Dining Room Curtains
Brighten a Room

Dining room curtains highlight an important feature of the dining room or area which are the windows.

It used to be that dining room was only used for Sunday dinners or for the occasional holiday dinner and in a separate room near the kitchen.

That may still be the case in your home but often the dining “room” is becoming multi functional. Either way it should be welcoming and attractive and a space to spend time in sharing meals, whether it is informal, or a gathering that is more formal.

There are many types and styles of curtains to choose, that will give you the ideal look and which can brighten, add elegance or promote privacy.

Dining room curtains can range from custom designed draperies with loads of fabric and trims to something more relaxed and that is ready made. Which way you go is going to depend on the look you want and the budget you have set.

The fabric that you choose plays a role in the overall feel of the window treatment, so choose the style and fabrics that will blend in with your furnishings and the look you hope to achieve.

Luxurious fabrics made of silk, velvet or suede are a good choice if you want a more elegant feel to the dining room and lightweight textures of linen, twill and burlap are good for a more informal setting.

Heavy chenille drapes will look out of place in a casual setting. And by the same token, gauzy sheer panels may not suit your Chippendale dining room furniture. In addition to the look you are going for, there may be other factors to weigh in your decision.

Shop around for ideas and get prices on dining room curtains to give yourself an idea on the cost. There are plenty of directions you can go, from ready-made panels to complete custom. Sometimes, if you are lucky and (especially if you have standard size windows) you can find great draperies on Ebay.

Be prepared to have your draperies for quite some time, if you are going to go with a custom look as they can be costly.

There may be a view that is not the most attractive or you may desire more privacy, but do try to allow for some natural light to filter into the room. You don't want to have to depend on artificial lighting all of the time.

Blend the style so it is in keeping with the rest of the house.

For an informal dining area it is best to just keep it simple. Roman shades in a single color or one in simple pattern, or woven blinds in light colors can brighten up a space and simple sheer panels are beauty in its simplicity. It’s possible to add some trim to add some punch.

Wood shades and blinds give the room a natural and organic feel and are more sophisticated than just installing plastic or vinyl. Blend the wood to the furniture, but it doesn’t have to match perfectly.

Fabrics used on panel drapes in an informal setting can be of a simple floral, gingham print or a monochromatic stripe.

Valences work in this informal dining room setting and a way you can be whimsical with your fabric choices. They could be a tab top, button or bow closures’ treatment.

Dining room curtains with a more formal feel, are chic, romantic or dramatic drapes that generally touch the floor with valences, swags and balloon shades adding to the elegance.

Draperies are made in luxurious fabrics and hung right at the top of the window frame, or for a taller appearance to the walls hang them from the ceiling and allow them to puddle on the floor a little.

If your dining room is dark and you don't want to block the little light you do get, use just a swag. Any fabric can be used, so long as it has a nice drape to it, giving you options for creating something special and unique.

Make your own by looping the fabric around a decorative rod a number of times for multiple swags, or just have one larger swag in the middle by placing the fabric over each end of the rod. Add a sheer if you want to soften the look a bit.

Valences can also be used and come in a vast array of sizes and lengths, making a statement all their own.

If natural lighting is not an issue, you can layer your window treatments. Use your swags, valences, roman or woven shades over side panels.

Summer or a lighter decor calls for sheers that come in a range of styles adding a gauzy and romantic look to the window. This works well when you add another heavier layer in the colder months which can be tied back during the day.

There are decorative rods for your window draperies and in choices of metal that might fit in with the informal dining to wooden decorative rods for a more traditional style room. Another great look is bamboo for an earthy and natural way to hang your dining room curtains.

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