Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Decorate Walls With Drapes

A silky curtain on the wall can enhance an Asian decorating scheme.


Decorating your walls with drapes not only brings color and texture to them, but it also helps hide flaws or cover walls when you're not allowed to paint them. There are many ways you can use curtains to decorate. The method you choose will depend on what visual motif and materials you use. It can also be influenced by the decorating constraints placed on your living situation, as in the case of a rented apartment. Limit your efforts to just the walls or extend the idea so it includes all the wall structures in your space, including false ones. Does this Spark an idea?


Instructions


1. Paint the walls. Give your curtains a rich colored backdrop to provide visual contrast between the walls surrounding the curtains and the drapes themselves. For example, if you've chosen a red drape, paint your walls a golden yellow.


2. Add more visual interest to the walls by stenciling on a pattern, especially if you've chosen see-through curtains. A fleur-de-lis, paisley, stripes or polka dots will catch the eye but still look subtle because they'll be covered by the curtains. Show off the pattern behind the curtains by choosing a matching curtain tie-back, as well. Open them once in awhile to display the pattern on the wall.


3. Create a focal point using your drapes by hanging them on a wall you'd like to draw attention. Some possible examples are the wall across from your couch, behind your grand piano or even your built-in bookcase. If you opt for the latter, hang the drapes so they cover the front of the bookcase.


4. Use curtain rods that go with and enhance your decorating style. For example, buy curtain rods made from wrought-iron for a Tuscan-style look, which is a common material in this style of decorating. Paint them with your decorating colors and hang them on curtains that hang from long straps.


5. Use drapes that match the decor and the curtain rods, too. A light cotton curtain works well with shabby chic flair, whereas a plain silk curtain enhances an Asian look.


6. Use interesting-looking clips or hooks to attach the curtain to the curtain rod. Look for hooks that have shells on them for a sea theme or use clips with magnets on them for an industrial look. Try clothespins for a Western or country look.


7. Extend the look of the curtains on the wall by draping matching curtains over the top of decorative divider screens or half walls. Leave space in between each curtain you drape over the divider screens; you can hang pictures here for a more decorative look, as well.


8. Create a visual tie between the curtains and the furniture by having curtains made from the same material as your couch and chair upholstery. Get matching pillows made, as well.







Tags: curtain rods, divider screens, made from, your couch, your decorating, your walls