A simple way to dress up any window of your home is to use a window scarf.
Similar to a scarf you wear in winter, you simply drape the scarf over the curtain rod.
The design is very similar to that of a valance, except it isn't attached to the rod.
You can wrap the fabric around the rod several times across the span of the window or just wrap it around the ends and let it hand like a swag in the middle.
The scarf is just one of the many ways you can use fabric to decorate your window.
Other names that have been given to window treatments include: * Balloon shades * Roman shades * Bishop's Sleeves * Swags * Cascades * Jabot * Valance Balloon shades have a pull cord to raise and lower the shade.
However, the fabric is pleated and billows out at the bottom.
You can also have a variation of this shade with a shirring effect at the top, which is called the Austrian shade.
Roman shades are roller shades and they come in a wide variety of materials and colors.
You can choose translucent hues or cellular shades with electric motors for opening and closing.
The bishop's sleeves are usually used in combination with a valance.
The sides of the drapes are tied up in the middle and allowed to hang loosely at the sides of the windows.
A valance runs across the top of the window and can be straight, pleated, scalloped or cascading.
Cascade curtains usually are pleated and hang loosely at the side of the window, but they only come a little below the length of the valance.
They are usually angled toward the middle of the window so that they are shorter on one side than on the other.
A swag is a type of valance used in between cascades and it is rounded.
A jabot can be used in between swags to help cover the seams.