The window curtain is one of the first types of window covering and its basic function has grown from shielding against drafts and sunlight to transforming a room's stylistic décor to enhance a home's beauty. In fact, the window curtain can often set the theme of a room. It can portray many styles, be layered, tucked, draped, swirled, swooped, puffed, pocketed or pleated and any number of combinations. Materials are just as endless. Many of the higher quality curtains will come with a lining to act as a privacy barrier when you still want your curtains pulled back. It can open out, roll up, accordion, tie back, slide, even open by remote. A window curtain can vary in thickness, how easy to clean they are, how fast sun light will fade them, how they stand up to dust and dirt, block noise, retard fire and how long they will hold up to dry rot.

Many people think it's difficult to dress a bay window for whatever reason. It’s not. All you have to do is look at each angled section of the recessed window as its own entity. You will also need enough bay window curtain rods for the number of sections there are. Of course you want to use the same style and design for the whole bay window but sizing the curtain should be relative to each section. Bay window curtains will often come in sets so all you really have to worry about is fitting them.

Thing you have to remember about your bathroom is that it is one humid place. A cloth curtain may mold easily so you want something that will be water proof or at least water resistant. Wood blinds are out as they would mold very easily and are difficult to clean. Synthetic fabrics make the best bathroom window curtains as they can easily be wiped down after using the bath or shower. Vinyl is a top choice for window shower curtains. The same kind of material your shower curtain is made of is ideal.

Kitchen window curtains should invoke a cozy, down to earth atmosphere, a place to relax even though much can be going on. You kitchen doubles as a conversation room as often as it does the eating space of your home so you want it to be inviting. While your kitchen may not have a lot of window space you want some curtains that will bring some focus to the room. Country styles are the most popular with patterns of apples, roosters and daisies.  Popular styles include the valance and swag and the café curtain.

Here's a simple way to design curtains for windows in any room and do it without using a sewing machine. This project may take an entire afternoon, including preparation so put aside some time. All you need is an iron and some fabric tape that is double sided. This means you need to purchase fabric that is able to withstand heat. Oh and if you don't already have them you will need to purchase window curtain rods as well.

Start by measuring the width and length of the window. Before cutting your fabric give it an additional four inches on either side for the width and about 10 for the length. Take this measurement from the curtain rod placement.

Next, fold over an inch of fabric on each side at the width and press with the iron. Repeat this so you have folded two inches on both sides at the width. Apply the fabric tape as per instructions. That's it for the sides.

For the top pocket where the rod will pass through and from which the curtain will hang, fold the fabric over one inch again as you did with the sides. Use the fabric tape to hold this seam. Fold an additional three inches for the pocket area and tape that at the lowest edge. Press with the iron to heat the adhesive.

Hang the curtain so that you can measure off a hem at the bottom. Fold in an inch of fabric so that the curtain hangs just above the floor surface and tape it off. Take your curtain down and cut away any excess fabric but leave about three inches for the bottom curtain hem. Tape, iron and you're done. Hang your new window curtain and enjoy.

Below is a very informative video on how to measure your windows for curtains and other window treatments. It's about four minutes long but is very detailed. Enjoy.