T I P S
A N D
P I C K S
T O
I M P R O V E
Y O U R
H O M E
Ґ
1
H
a n g t i m
e
T a b s o n t h e
b a c k o f t h i s
c o t t o n c u r t a i n
p a n e l c r e a t e
s o f t f o l d s .
J o l i
p a n e l
$ 3 0
e a c h ;
w o r l d m a r k e t . c o m
H
o t r o d
w
S m
A t e l e s c o p i n g
p o l e l e t s y o u
c h o o s e j u s t t h e
r i g h t w i d t h . F o r
s t a b i l i t y , k e e p a
p o l e a t t h e s h o r t
e n d o f i t s r a n g e .
A l l e n
+
R o t h r o d ,
$
3
S ~
4 5
> l o w e s . c o m
* V
*
Q & A
How can I make standard
curtains energy-efficient?
Choose panels that extend well
beyond the window frame on all sides
to reduce sunlight in the summer and
air flow in the winter. Even better:
Team up panels with a cellular
shade mounted inside the
window frame.
Q2
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
MAY 2011 I B1IG.COM
P a n e l
D i s c u s s i o n
Ready-made curtain panels
in fresh patterns and colors
offer an easy way to perk up
a room. For quick hanging, choose
tab-top or grommet style. Upgrade
simple rod-pocket panels by adding
clip-on rings. Most off-the-shelf
rods come with mounting hard-
ware, so hanging is a breeze.
1
GO TO GREAT LENGTHS
T o g e t t h e m
i n i m
u m
p a n e l l e n g t h ( n o t
i n c l u d i n g t a b s o r r i n g s ) , m e a s u r e f r o m
t h e f l o o r t o j u s t a b o v e t h e w i n d o w c a s i n g .
O n c e y o u b u y p a n e l s , m o u n t t h e r o d t o m a t c h
p a n e l l e n g t h —
r a t h e r t h a n t h e o t h e r w a y
a r o u n d a s y o u w o u l d f o r c u s t o m - m a d e p a n e l s .
ENJOY WIDESPREAD APPEAL
F o r t h e b e s t l o o k w h e n a s e t o f c u r t a i n s
i s c l o s e d , m a k e s u r e e a c h p a n e l i s
a t l e a s t a s w i d e a s t h e w i n d o w . M o u n t r o d
b r a c k e t s
6
i n c h e s o u t s i d e t h e w i n d o w f r a m e s o
p a n e l s c a n b e p u s h e d a w a y f r o m t h e g l a s s .
ADJUST YOUR THINKING
W
h e n u s i n g r e a d y - m a d e p a n e l s s o l d
s i n g l y , m e a s u r e e a c h b e f o r e h a n g i n g .
M
i n o r d i f f e r e n c e ? H a n g b a s e d o n t h e l e n g t h
o f t h e s h o r t e s t o n e . I f t h e r e ' s a n o t i c e a b l e
d i s c r e p a n c y , y o u m a y n e e d t o h e m .
LET IT SLIDE
P a n e l s o u t f i t t e d w i t h g r o m
m
e t s o r
r i n g s a r e e a s i e r t o s l i d e a l o n g r o d s
t h a n t h o s e w i t h t a b s . A r o d - p o c k e t p a n e l i s t h e
m o s t d i f f i c u l t s t y l e t o o p e n a n d c l o s e .
PHOTO: MARTY BALDWIN; STYLING: HEATHER HARDT
