Everyone has a dream house. Every aspect of that house has a style that means a lot to you, and says a lot about you. While you spend a lot of time and energy outfitting the rooms and walls of your home, windows often get a short shrift. Most people hang a couple of curtains and forget about them.

You need to know some things before you settle for the type of window dressing that suits your home. Major factors that affect the way you dress your windows are functionality, privacy, beauty and price. Windows can be made either wholly with glass or with bars and wooden shutters. Since security becomes an issue with glass windows, you can box it in with a grilled exterior. Keep in mind that the vast array of wrought iron grills in the market may intimidate you. Once the grills are in place, you could line them with potted and hanging plants. Make use of those box grills to create a beautiful sill garden. If you are worried about maintaining the plants, just opt for low-maintenance indoor plants.

Potted plants can be used to enhance and complement the colour scheme of the house. People often install trailing plants and creepers above a window accentuating its look. Cascading plants adds a dash of colour to the window. Select the plant to suit the diverse window treatments. The spider plant is a popular choice among most homeowners who wish to give a cascading effect to their windows.
 
It is time to fantasise on ways you would like to dress up the windows. Do you want a grand look, the cool look, the classic look or the cute, lacy one? The consumer, today, is spoiled for choice in terms of design, colour and material. Let us find out what the options are.

Window trends emphasise the glamorous look with silks, velvets and brocades being fabrics of choice. Contemporary styles signal the coming of sparkling windows and stylish dressing such as blinds and shutters that set the tone for the rest of your home. “Bold, striking schemes continue to be a key trend,” says a leading designer, “from the high contrast of black and white to the luxury and glamour of metallics and shiny fabrics through racy russets and regal purples inspired by the vibrant shades of autumn.”

You could pair electric colour combinations such as purple and orange or pink and yellow, by sliding multiple rod-pocket panels onto a single pole. A subtler effect can be achieved by sewing a lining in a vibrant, contrasting colour to the curtain panel. “A well kept secret in interior design circles is that you should always aim to introduce a shot of black into a room to sharpen it up and give it some definition,” she continues. “White and black is a high impact, arresting combination. A good way to soften this look is to add accessories in another colour – a dash of red, teal or gold will add elegance. This is also quite a simple way to change the look of your room season to season, without spending a fortune.” Add drama to a black and white scheme with a bold accent wall in red. Roller blinds with a monochrome look are perfect for those who like chic simplicity. A contemporary black and white scheme can be enhanced with sleek black Venetian blinds shot through with sparkly gold.

Shiny fabrics and metallics add shimmer - another trend that we will be seeing a lot of. These looks are reminiscent of the jet-set style of the seventies where glitz ruled and glamour rocked! Where better to inject a bit of razzamatazz than the bedroom. Venetian blinds in gold give a warm glow to a room with traditional, dark wood furniture. Mulberry coloured Venetian blinds or shutters mixed with grey or striped Roman blinds are a good way to insulate your windows, while adding a strong burst of colour.

Another all encompassing trend that continues in all areas of home and fashion design is the displacement of the formal with the comfortable. In home design, it is a paring down of anything that does not suggest comfort or utility. Billowing, diaphanous yards of sheer linen, silk and synthetic fabrics bring fluidity and motion to an open window besides adding the comfort element.

Multiple coloured panels on a single pole are effective even when you tone down the colours. For example, pairing mocha, fawn, beige and white panels together would produce a calmer colour combination.

Having splurged in colour and fabric, you should spare some thought to the rods they would be hanging from. Choosing curtain hardware is a difficult task. There is an enchanting array of curtain hardware like finials and holdbacks available in the market today. Once the hardware is in place, these rods and channels will define how your pretty, expensive drapes will finally fall in place.

Other ways to dress your windows add privacy, but minimise the fuss. A folding screen, adding colour and interest to a corner of the room by day, can be repositioned in front of a window at night. For a more Zen-like space, use a freestanding or custom-fit rice paper screen.

Your artistry need not be limited to whatever you have selected to cover your windows. If your curtain rods are not flattering to the drapes after all, then there are ways to cover them. You could try different valences and frill options that camouflage any unseemly curtain creases. Once the curtains fall in place, you will have newer ideas to refresh them whenever you feel the need for a change.

1.You could use ornate tassels to bind them when you like the light to brighten your space.

2.Open up those windows to let in fresh air and natural light. Hang up a wind chime in the middle of the window. The pleasant sound of the chime, every time the wind blows can be quite refreshing. If you are a follower of Feng-Shui, opt for a Feng-Shui wind chime.

3.Try a row of pretty, scented tea lights along your windowsill. Avoid these if you have curtains, as they could catch fire. They are ideal if your windows have blinds.

4.Opt for double layers of curtains - thin lace sheers and thicker drapes over them. Tie up the drapes during the day and you will still have the daylight streaming in through the sheers, without compromising your privacy.

5.Simply drape a festive saree or embroidered satin fabric like a scarf above your curtain rod and let it hang on either side of the window frame.

6.For that carefree Bohemian look use matted blinds. You could also try Venetian blinds in laminated wood. They are easy to clean and are great if you like the country-style decor.

7.Place a large urn on the floor beside the window. Make sure the urn is at least as tall as the window ledge. The urn could be made of brass, stone or even porcelain depending on your decor.

The colour scheme and the purpose of the room are important factors while dressing the windows. Your imagination and skill will decide how comfortable you will be after your concepts are executed. Then your windows can aspire to be a wonder to everyone who sets eyes on them.