Your window treatments should be functional as well as stylish. They should reflect your personality and blend well with the interior of your home. Changing draperies is one of the easiest and most affordable things you can do to instantly change the look of your room or house. And depending on how much sunlight you want blocked out, it can even save you some money on electricity bills. So, some serious considerations should be given before you buy or choose your drapery.

Here are some tips for you:

1. Fabric - In choosing the right fabric, try to find one that fits your individuality. You might use heavy cloths with embroidery or sheer and lacy fabrics. Whatever you end up buying, it should match your existing furniture and artwork at home.

2. Opacity -Do you want to block or lessen the intensity of natural light coming through your window? Get an opaque drapery to keep it down. This is mostly recommended in your TV room or media room.

3. Pattern - After considering the fabric and how much light you want to have in your room, think also of the pattern of your drapery. As with any other accessory in your home, it should blend well with the rest of your interiors. Patterns are the first clues to your personality. Do you like bold colors and heavy lines? Simple stripes are also commonly available.

4. Layers - Controlling natural light in your room is easy with layers of drapes. Try to consider sheers beneath heavy opaque drapery for when you want to relax by the window and read a book. It also gives a dramatic silhouette at night.

5. Measurement - Before buying your curtains, measure your window to know the length and width you would want to cover. Just always remember that your drapery's length should be from the curtain rod (and not the top of your window) to two inches above the floor.

6. Hardware - Finally, before hanging, consider the hardware you will use for your drapery. There are different curtain rods for different styles of window treatments. You might also want to check out the different curtain rings that go well with your hanging. Think about using stylish finials in your draperies. They are fitted at the end of the curtain rod and are sometimes the only visible part of the rod. They come in wood, metal, or glass. There are also holdbacks available. These are the ones keeping your drapes open. They come in different materials and vary from simple to intricate designs.