However, there are some steps you can take to help prevent your window dressings from fading.

1. Consider using sheer panels or rather than curtains in white or cream as these will help to reflect the sunlight more than darker colours as dark colours absorb more sunlight they will fade faster than neutrals or whites. If you do want to use darker colours team you sheers with blinds or use voile curtains with a lining.

2. Adding a ready made lining is a very effective way to help protect your curtains. Look for ready made curtains that include a lining or add a lining separately. The lining will also help your curtains or drapes to hang correctly along with being a great way to give another layer of insulation during the winter.

3. If you use blinds look for the styles which have had a protective coating applied which is designed especially to help prevent fading. This is more commonly found on ready made blinds in wood, PVC and stiffened fabrics used for vertical blinds.

4. Roller blinds can also be found which have a fade resistant coating. If you’re making your own Roman blinds add a lining as this will work in the same way as a curtain lining.

5. If you have south facing windows you may like to consider adding a protective coating to the glass, solar tinted glass or clear glass coverings can help reduce the UV rays from entering your rooms without affecting the amount of light, if you go this route you can choose any types of window dressing you like without having to worry about it fading.

6. Window dressing combinations of blinds and curtains not only look stylish the blinds will act as a barrier, helping to prevent fading of your curtains.

As well as helping to prevent your curtains and blinds from fading you should also consider your flooring and furniture, again especially if on south facing windows, as the harsh UV rays can damage these and you don’t want to have your curtains closed for the best part of the day just to help protect them.

There’s a number of aspects which need to be taken into consideration when choosing and hanging curtains, although colour, style and pattern play important roles without the correct hanging they’ll soon turn a room from chic and stylish into an ‘oh dear, couldn’t have tried harder!’

First and foremost you need to choose the correct type of track or curtain pole to suit the style and design of the curtains. Tab top curtains and eyelet curtains are designed to be threaded straight onto a curtain pole.

Pencil pleat, goblet and other fancy curtain headings are predominately hung from curtain tracks, although you can hang pencil pleat headed curtains onto curtain poles using hook and rings.

The next step is to make accurate measurements of both the width and length (drop) of the curtains. Don’t forget that the vast majority of ready made curtains are sold in pairs, although you don’t want to scrimp of width measurements as the curtains simply won’t look their best.

Adding a curtain lining will help your curtains to hang neatly at your windows. There are no real hard and fast rules as to how much width allowance should be made, but in order for the pleats to hang correctly and evenly it’s recommended that the curtains are double the width of the window.

The length of the curtains can vary depending on where you want them to finish. Shorter curtains, for example kitchen curtains that sit on top of the window sill, or full length curtains which sit neatly on top of your floor.

It’s easy to shorten the length should it be too long, but you won’t be able to add any fabric if your measurements are too short! Full length curtains which puddle onto the floor create a stunning look but aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, so make sure you measure accurately to save any fuss or hassle.

Café styled curtains are hung half way down (or one third up from the window sill) and should be an exact size, the width allowance is only slightly more than the measurement of the inside recess of your window – this allows for a chic look which shows the embroidered detailing or printed image.

Obviously if you have or are trying to achieve a Retro style you’ll be able to use curtains and blinds which come as an ensemble. For a newer and fresher look you have a couple of options open, both give stunning end results and you can tweak the colour combinations to suit your décor.

Firstly, the basics of the timeless classical look is bought up to-date by choosing ready made curtains with a modern print; these can be teamed with plain roller blinds by selecting one of the colours with the curtain fabric.

The second way is to use curtains and blinds in coordinating or matching fabrics, but rather than using them both on the same window you dress one window with the curtains and the other with the blinds – of course you’ll need a room with two windows to achieve this look!

Still think ‘twin-sets’ are out-dated and old fashioned? Here’s 5 ways you can make them work in your home.

1. If you use curtains and blinds together you’ll be giving your windows a double layer of insulation – meaning that you can potentially make savings on your fuel bills.

2. Using blackout roller blinds and bedroom curtains in combination you’ll not only have a stylish window dressing you’ll also block out unwanted light.

3. Using complimentary patterns is a great way to bring depth and character to your home. Reverse patterns will show that you have design flair and like to be different!

4. Coordinating curtains and blinds with other soft furnishings and accessories provides chic styling which can be used in all types of homes and interior design styles.

5. If you go down the made to measure curtains and blinds route your home will have its own bespoke and unique window dressing – something that makes you and your windows stand out from the crowd!

There’s lots of good reasons why you should consider using ‘twin-sets’ to dress your windows, they’re not as old and frumpy as you may think.

Swags and tails have been used as a window dressing for decades (if not centuries). This opulent look hasn’t changed mush over the years, it’s still achieved using the same principles of having full length curtains swept open from the centre and held in place with tie-backs and the curtain pole being draped with swags.

Today the swept back curtains remain on-trend while the swags themselves are declining a little, as they are being superseded by ready made curtains in luxury fabrics with modern headings rather than the more traditional pencil pleat headings.

Fancy peplumb curtains in your home? Here’s some other hints and tips on how you can make them work:

1. Another key to getting the translation from catwalk to home right is the choice of fabrics. In order to get the nipped in waistlines soft, fluid fabrics need to be used otherwise there’s too much bulk which makes the waistline look larger rather than slimmer. The same is true for curtains – use fluid fabrics so that the tie-backs provide the nipped in look without too much bulk.

2. You don’t have to solely concentrate on the centre of your curtains, long tall windows can be given an elegant and refined touch if the tie-backs are placed higher up the curtains – thing of bust line of the curtains and that’s about the area you need to place the tie-backs.

3. Once you’ve nipped and tucked your bedroom or lounge curtains you’ll also need to pep them up a little bit further. As already mentioned fluid fabrics are ideal as are fabrics with a soft sheen – these will help to reflect light and emphasise the nips and tucks further.

4. Lace, or lace trims are also being seen on the catwalks, and these too can be added to your window dressing. There’s a wide range of tie-backs available, from those which are fixed to the wall and the curtain sits behind or those which are flexible and wrap around the curtain and are help in place with a wall hook.

Dressing windows to make them sexy and alluring may not be your first thoughts, however, particularly in the bedroom curtains can be made to look sexy, curvy and voluminous in a very seductive manner!

Futuristic prints are also on-trend and pixilated designs are even hotter. Making a real statement at your windows curtains which embrace at least of these aspects offers a brilliant way to bring a new look to your windows and home. If you want to go down the colour blocking road this year’s Tangerine Tango teamed with teal, blue or greens will make a show stopping window treatment which suits modern and contemporary interiors beautifully.

This new bold prints make a welcome change from the more traditional stripes and spots and with the choice of colours, design and styles and ready made curtains you won’t have to look far to find them.

It has to be said that to ‘boldly go where you have been before’ may be a little daunting and yet if your window dressings are stuck in a time warp embracing these new trends are an excellent way of bringing your home bang up to-date.

Not sure if bold prints will suit you or the style of your home? Here’s 5 reasons why you should give them a closer look.

1. Add vibrancy by pattern and colour to your window dressing is an instant pick-up for windows in all styles of homes.

2. Bold patterns will draw attention to your windows and make them a real focal point in your room.

3. Let your colour preferences and love of prints be shown – there’s no need to try and stick to conformity, now is the time to let your hair down and show off your interior design flair!

4. Choose living room and bedroom curtains made from soft fluid fabrics so that they swish and ripple in the slightest of breezes coming through open windows to create a chic and stylish window dressing. Use blinds as well to give you the privacy you may need.

5. Modern eyelet curtains are perfect for these latest window dressing trends – just make sure your curtains brush the top of your flooring to get the look.

If you love bold patterns but have always shied away from using it to dress your windows it’s time to change your interior style habits!

However, you also need to take into consideration the style of your interior when choosing floral curtains. For example, if your style is country cottage or Shabby Chic smaller prints with a quintessential English theme is the type of floral print you should be using.

The pattern size also needs to take into account the length of the curtains. If you look at it from a clothes fashion stance you’ll see that small windows, like small people, look swamped in patterns which are too large; to make windows appear larger keep the print pattern small and proportionate to the size of your windows. If you have tall, high windows large entwined floral patterns will look stunning, showing the window off to its best advantages as the pattern will draw the eye upwards. You can also use the same technique to elongate windows, use ceiling to floor curtains.

Talking of floors, one of the trends which has had a make-over this year is curtains which are deliberately too long and left to pool or puddle onto the floor, they have been shortened and while they remain deliberately too long the amount of pooling has become more like plazzo trousers which fall just over over your shoes to create a sleek and very stylish look.

Not sure if floral curtains are right for your home? Here’s 5 reasons why they shouldn’t be overlooked!

1. Available as ready made curtains or eyelet curtains there’s a wide and varied choice of floral prints to choose from.

2. Bold colours and pixelated blooms add a striking focal point to windows in modern and contemporary interiors.

3. Floral prints never really go out of fashion; Retro prints are big this year.

4. Flora and fauna patterns add a homely warmth to homes.

5. If you want to be seen to be ‘green’ floral prints are a great way to encapsulate the theme, especially if you opt for curtains made from natural fabrics such as cotton.

Floral prints have a lot to offer and provide a smart and stylish window dressing no matter what interior design style or colour scheme you have in your home.

These lightweight curtains are the new alternative to nets; they provide privacy, style and colour to your home. Available with a standard heading tape they can be voluminous and packed with pleats to create a beautiful tailored look. Tab tops and eyelet curtains are also available as sheers; these styles are more informal, with the eyelets being threaded onto a narrow gauge curtain pole, natural wave effect pleat fall gracefully to the floor.

Slinky sheers have also been highlighted with this year’s trend of double and triple layering. With different colours, patterns and fabric weights designers are using sheers to create window dressing which offer more than standard curtains. In these instances you have standard ready made curtains and then add an additional layer of sheers over the top. This provides a sleek window dressing which has movement and style. Should you need a little more convincing here are 5 reasons you should include sheers as part of your window dressing.

1. The finest sheers will also give you privacy without preventing natural light from entering the room, and look far more attractive and chic than classical net curtains.

2. If you use the sheers as the first layer you also have the option of adding another third layer, for example blackout blinds or shutters to block out unwanted light at night.

3. No longer are sheer limited to plain white or cream. There are some fabulous colours, patterns and different weights of sheers available.

4. For a sleek and sexy look, sheers double layered over contrasting velvet curtains make the ideal bedroom window dressing.

5. For those who like to take the practicalities and functionality of their window dressing into consideration may be pleased to know that sheers are a helpful deterrent during the summer for keeping flying insects out and allowing the slightest breeze to filter through into the room.

Take a look at sheers in a new light and you’ll see just how effective they can be in your home.

Aimed at modern and contemporary interiors, vibrant pink need to be given plenty of room, otherwise the colour will simply be too overpowering, leaving you heading for the door within a short space of time! As this is your home you need to feel at home, relaxed and comfortable, so if you have any colour hang-ups you may like to dilute this colour down a few shades if you find yourself backing away!

Vibrant pink curtains need to be given large windows in which to show off their beauty. Rather than impose too much colour, vertical stripes of vibrant pink and white will help balance the horizontal width of the windows with the illusion of more height.

The way you hang your curtains should also compliment the style of your home. Sleek contemporary interiors favour hidden (behind pelmets) silent glide curtains tracks, or even fine tensioned wires from which panels of fabric, rather than traditional styled curtains, can be moved about (electronically) to provide privacy and light control as and when it’s needed.

Modern homes favour the use eyelet curtains which provide a wall of wave-effect pleats and metal curtain poles to coordinate with modern furniture designs and materials.

Vibrant pink needs not only to be handled with caution, but it also requires a plain, preferably, white base colour on which to stand, making it the ideal contemporary colour choice. In stark contrast this vibrant almost neon pink teams extremely well with black or steel grey – as you can imagine the whole dynamics of the room will be altered, changing it from vividly bright, to a sexy and mood affecting style which would look striking in contemporary bedrooms.

Whatever shade of pink curtains you choose for you home, there’s a shade to suit everyone. We hope you agree that the colour doesn’t have to be princess orientated or be too feminine. Choose pink as your accent or main colour and you’ll bring a fresh new and exciting look to your home.

With mouthwatering names, sherbet pink curtains bring out the inner child in many of us! Like many other shades of pink there is a certain femininity about using them in other rooms, however, if you include some darker notes in accessories and soft furnishings, it’s easy to see how this colour can be used in modern homes.

As we’ve discovered pink is no longer being viewed and used for girl’s bedrooms. With gentle tones being coordinated with steely greys and dark browns pink can be successfully used to create striking living rooms, master bedrooms and dining rooms.

Pale colour hues will also help to lighten naturally dark rooms without making it look to clinical, as is the case in many all white rooms; giving rooms a soft and gentle look which shows character and depth.

Full length curtains are being used in all rooms, with the one exception – the kitchen for obvious reasons, to create a sleek look which suits the style of modern homes to a ‘T’. Using full length curtains can also make windows appear larger by naturally fooling the eye to be draw upwards.

Pattern or plain choices are down to personal taste and preferences, however, plain curtains allow you scope to include pattern elsewhere in the room without fear of them clashing or a pattern becoming outdated.

In more traditionally styled homes sherbet pinks can, and have been, used to coordinate with wooden dining room suites (table, chairs, sideboards/dressers) to bring an air of refined elegance to the room – again offering a more subtle colour scheme than using white. Think along the lines of stately homes and mansions and you’ll notice (or remember if you’ve ever visited one), that sherbet pink is commonly used in family rooms, as well as bedrooms, for its sophisticated look which oozes elegance and grandeur. The names of this pink shade may have been bought into the 21st century, when in reality it has been a favourite colour to use in many styles of homes for decades.

The dark to mid tone ranges with a bold repeat pattern lend themselves to creating striking retro living and bedrooms styles. Full length curtains with a classical pencil pleat heading can be used with either curtain tracks or for a more up to-date look metal curtain poles, using the standard-heading tape with hooks and curtain pole rings. Alternatively modern eyelet curtains allow you to thread the curtain straight onto the pole to give subtle wave effect pleats.

Pink curtains may sound a little feminine however, teamed with dark masculine colours of brown or dark steely greys and the two colours counterbalance each other perfectly. This unison enables pink curtains to be used in modern homes with great success. You can also reverse the more dominant of background colour if you think there’s too much pink. Brown background colours with pink pattern accents are an excellent way of making a room look more masculine. Tie these in with toning pink and brown accessories to give a harmonious look and feel to the room.

It isn’t only modern homes which can benefit from using pink patterned curtains. Traditional styles with a floral pattern are ideal for creating a stylish country cottage look, while mid tones in salmon give a traditional home an ageless elegance.

In bedrooms the same principles apply – with the more striking patterns being an ideal way to compliment plain walls and bedding to make a feature of your windows. With so many variations in patterns available it’s easy to find just the right design to suit the style of your home.

Don’t be shy of using pink patterned curtains, the taboos and stereotypical views have been dissolved; as such the latest interior design ideas are filling our homes with pattern to prevent them from becoming staid, bland and boring. Make this year a year for change and include pink somewhere in your home. The colour has so much to offer and when used in stripes or patterns it becomes much more user friendly in every sense of the word.