Drapery trends to look forward to this coming season

Curtains and shades in gem stone hues, adopting natural fibers and sporting bold prints are expected to be among the in-things in drapery this coming season.

Drapery plays a major role in giving life and personality to a room. With the right color, texture or design, it can create a room’s central mood and even direct attention to the windows. But apart from aesthetics, curtains and shades have functional features. Many can be used to block the sun's harmful rays while others provide privacy.

Here are some drapery trends expected to dominate in coming months, according to Canada-based news daily The Chronicle Herald.

Curtains

Jewel tones: Drapery that imitates hues of precious stones are increasing popularity, but this should complement the wall color as well. Ruby or sapphire, for instance, look elegant against a light gray background while amethyst and amber give life to beige and cream walls.
Neutrals: For rooms with intricate architectural details such as high ceiling, beams and arched windows, curtains should be low key. White and beige, however, are giving way to darker neutrals. Charcoal, slate and taupe are among the popular tones.
Geometric patterns: Eye-catching and bold multicolor geometric prints add pizzazz to a room.
Ornamental hardware: Finials and grommets in a variety of finishes, including brushed nickel and chrome, exude a luxurious look and coordinate beautifully with curtain rods.

Shades

Bold prints: Shades with large vivid patterns shifts the focus from other parts of the room to the windows.
Sparkling effect: Window shades made of sheer and shimmery fabric add a glitzy appearance to a room. Pink and purple are the popular shades, which could be balanced out with solid-colored curtains.
Eco-friendly models: Natural fibers such as those derived from bamboo and jute are gaining a large following as ecological consciousness among consumers and buyers rise.

App-enabled: With homes getting smarter, it pays to have smart shades as well. These app-enabled models can be programmed to open in the morning, block the sweltering afternoon sun and close at night. Such shades are especially suitable for hard-to-reach windows.