Protect your drapes from sun damage by layering

There are many potential dangers that will affect the look and quality of a new drape if proper care is neglected. Even though it may seem as though a window treatment is harmlessly just hanging there, that doesn't mean it isn't exposed to threats that will lessen the lifespan of your curtains.

As a drape's main function is to block natural light from entering a room, the fabric ends up being exposed to a lot of thermal energy. Different colors of fabric react differently to exposure to sunlight, and this should be considered when you decide what hues to employ.

Lighter tones reflect light, making them less susceptible to damage such as fading{,} as they don't absorb the thermal energy. Darker hues, however, do just the opposite and will loose their colors richness if directly exposed to constant rays from the sun.

If you do decide to use a darker tone to dress your window, consider adding layers to the drape. By putting a lighter colored fabric behind the darker drape, light entering the window will be reflected and the curtain facing into the room will avoid the damage caused by sunlight.

This practice also gives you the opportunity to add diversity to your window treatment. When contrasting a darker solid drape with a lighter treatment of a different material, the fabrics stand out against each other, ultimately enhancing both. For example, the sheen of a darker velvet curtain will pop out against the softness of a sheer white curtain.

A sheer white curtain looks good even layered under lighter tones, as layering brings depth and an added lushness to a window treatment that a single drape can't accomplish on its own. This practice will help keep your curtains protected, and up the aesthetics of the room at large.