One of the best ways to dress up a room is to dress up your windows. As far as window dressings go, there are endless possibilities and they can make however big an impact on your home as you like. So if you want to do window dressings right, here's a bunch of tips and suggestions that you might not have ever thought of before!

From the style and function of the room, to the size of the window, to the amount of sun that shines through it, you're going to have to answer a few questions before you go out looking for window dressings. And because there are so many different varieties of shades and drapes and blinds, it's probably a good idea to narrow down your options right from the get-go.

First off, what exactly is a window dressing? Essentially, a window dressing is whatever you decorate or cover your windows with. This includes curtain rods, as well as the curtains themselves. Moreover, you can craft a set of drapes by yourself or buy them at the store. Whatever the case, they will make a big difference in your home – and hopefully will help beautify it.

So, what are you in the market for exactly? Do you want heavy drapes that bring a rich, formal tone to a room? Maybe you'd like a pair of thick curtains just to help block out sound and sunshine from the outside world! However, you might prefer daintier, thinner curtains or you might be okay with simple blinds. The likelihood is that you won't want the sun or passerbys glaring into your home's open, undressed windows.

Essentially, you have to think of function and design at the same time. Not only do you want your curtains or drapes, or whatever, to match the color scheme and style of you room, but you also want to make sure they are functional. Sure, you want the window dressings to help accentuate the design of your home, but you also want to make sure they provide the right amount of privacy and shade from the sun's rays.

When thinking about design, remember that the window dressings only play one role in the overall look of the room. Perhaps you're looking to brighten up the room and give it a bit more “zing.” Or maybe the furniture you have in your room is already pretty bold to begin with, and you want your curtains to be subtler and add a little calmness to the design. Whatever the case, this really is the fun part about shopping for window dressings. A tip here is to simply keep an open mind and always remember that as much as you love a particular window dressing, it doesn't matter if it doesn't go with the rest of the room or if it steals all the attention.

As well, not only do style and color matter, but the type of fabric the window dressing is made of is equally important. You want to have a unified look to the room and all the windows should have the same basic appearance.

Not only do you have to be keen about how the window dressings will look compared to the room, but you have to understand what dressings are right for particular sizes and shapes of various windows. Fortunately, if you live in a house that was built in the last 20 years, you'll likely only have just one size window to work with throughout the home. If this is not the case, you'll have a lot cut out for you!

Also with regards to the type of window you will be dressing – keep in mind that if a window is located above or near a heat source (like a radiator), this can be damaging to some kinds of fabrics and cause them to shrink.

There are so many details you will have to mull over. For example, perhaps your window also comes with a seat. In this case, your set of window dressings may include a few cushions.

Curtains, drapes, shades, blinds, rods, cushions, valances, swags... you'll probably find yourself overwhelmed with all the options at your fingertips. So that's why it's so important to get a good idea of what you want before you start shopping around.

If you're skilled at home decorating, there are a lot of window dressings you can make yourself, borrowing fabrics from all over and sewing and cutting them up yourself. Custom window dressings really have a special flare to them. However, if you're not a do-it-yourselfer, that's okay – fabric and home improvement (or decorating) stores will all have plenty available for you. Ask an store clerk for advice and guidance if you find yourself lost. The Internet might be a good place to compare products and prices as well.