There are few items in a room that become obvious they are off-the-rack if you use them in your interior, window treatments being one of them.

Bedskirts are another big one for me. I’ve described the problem with them and how going custom with this one item for your bedding can make a huge difference, right HERE.

You can get away with going retail on beautiful pillows if you buy the right size and fill; however, finding that perfect fabric and fabric combination for the room is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Oftentimes, pillows purchased retail are not of the highest quality fill, even though it says “down-filled”. (Here’s a great blogpost about pillow-picking!)

However, to me, one of the most obvious elements in an interior that is often done off-the-rack, is window treatments.

Detail of custom window treatment with greek key tape trim and woven wood shade | Carla Aston, Designer

We recently did a partial DIY/custom project with window treatments where we supplied the custom hardware, and the homeowner bought ready-made drapery panels.

It turned out really well, but took some coordination and a lot of time on her part sourcing the right panels. She did have to order the panels and wait for them, so I guess that’s not quite off-the-rack.

They did turn out beautifully, though, and you can check out that project HERE.

The reason it turned out well, is that she bought lined, pleated panels with returns, used our custom hardware and had my installer install and dress them.

The reason I love custom rods is that they don't telescope and they are cut to fit. We choose our rings, finials, brackets, and if installed properly, the return on the side of the drapery panel is tacked back on the wall, so that there is no gap between the fabric and the wall.

(That's why it's called a "return".)

However, if you have taller windows and ceiling heights, have oddly shaped window situations (and so many people do), you just don’t want to mess with the details or the awkward installation process and responsibility of ordering all the parts and pieces that go into this aspect of interior design, then going custom for these is really worth the investment.

Here’s an example of rod pocket DIY curtains. They just really aren’t a finished, well-design look. Right?

New, custom window treatments are a great update for your home.

They can add quality and a custom designed appearance the minute they are installed. Custom treatments add softness to a room, can hide a multitude of sins and bad construction details, and bring color, texture and interest to any space.

Let’s take a look at how they enhance these spaces, below.

The dining room below is softened and made more elegant by these exceptionally tall operable silk draperies.

Custom silk drapery panels in blue dining room designed by Carla Aston. | Photographer, Colleen Scott | #silkdrapery #bluediningroom #windowtreatment #drapery

These beautiful floral drapery panels provide some lovely pattern and color in this soft blue green bedroom.

Custom floral drapery panels in blue green master bedroom, designed by Carla Aston. | Photographer, Colleen Scott | #floraldrapery #windowtreatment #drapery

The woven wood shades in this family room and then in this study, below, fit perfectly and bring the dark wood look up to the window, from the flooring.

Woven wood shades fit perfectly in this family room designed by Carla Aston | Colleen Scott, Photographer #windowtreatment #wovenwoodshade

Woven wood shades fit perfectly in this home office corner, designed by Carla Aston | Colleen Scott, Photographer #windowtreatment #wovenwoodshade

Tall sheer panels work nicely to add texture and bring some warmth to the walls of this dining room.

This dining room with sheer, textural draperies create warmth and add height to this dining room. Carla Aston, Designer | Colleen Scott, Photographer #windowtreatment #drapery #sheerdrapery #diningroom

These window valances add a finishing touch to the family room and breakfast room below. They cap the windows beautifully and repeat the color scheme and palette of the rooms. They just tie the whole design together.

This window valance tops off the room, repeating the color scheme and completing the look. Carla Aston, Designer | Colleen Scott, Photographer | #windowtreatment #valance #windowvalance

This window valance tops off the breakfast room, adding color and pattern. Carla Aston, Designer | Colleen Scott, Photographer | #windowtreatment #valance #windowvalance

The window valances and Roman shades worked beautifully in this kitchen, featured below, to soften the look and add subtle pattern to the space.

Window valances and Roman shades layer in softness in this coastal style kitchen. Carla Aston, Designer | Colleen Scott, Photographer #windowvalances #Romanshades #windowtreatments

The custom made crewel work sheers provide a neutral, subtle pattern in this coastal style dining room makeover. Covering a slight eyebrow arched window, the custom installation addressed how they fit the window perfectly.