Beaded curtains, so popular in the sixties, are back once again. Now we can once again use this exciting treatment in the 21st century, and with new designs and materials, using beaded curtains is better than ever. There are beautiful designs that use light and prisms to create a special effect in your home or apartment. You can use beaded curtains on windows, or as room dividers. You'll be back to calling them "groovy" once again. How to put them to use? One of the most dramatic ways you can use beaded curtains is as a full drape. Hang long, colorful beads from the top of the window right down to the floor for a really special effect. If you do this in a doorway, or even between different areas of a room to set them off from the rest of the room, without cutting out light and view.

Some of the newer designs can be hung in such a way that you can create a complete mosaic design with the beads. You can make an elaborate design by mixing a lot of different colors and shapes, or you can keep it simple using the same strings of beads next to each other. Wooden beads make a beautiful natural looking window covering that goes with very many types of decorating. Some people have used beaded curtains as closet door, even removing the door because of space considerations. Beaded curtains hang in the doorway without taking any extra space. In addition to using a full curtain of beading as a window covering, there are a number of other ways to incorporate beads into the design of the window treatement.

Beads can be sewn onto the edge of the curtain as a fringe, or can be sewn onto the fabric to add sparkle to the curtain. This can be done by using contrasting colors, or using the same colors as the fabric that will reflect light without adding a competing color. These beads can be sprinkled randomly on the curtain, or placed in a predetermined pattern. Beads can also be sewn to the edging of sheers and drapes for an elegant touch.

Putting a fringe of beads on the bottom of a caf? curtain in a bright family room or sunroom would reall brighten the room up. Using the same kind of fringe on draperies creates a completely different look, with the beads adding elegance to the already elegant fabric. We are seeing a lot of decorative accents being treated with beads nowadays. Throw pillows are edged in beading, and the bottoms of furniture or ottomans can be finished off to match the beads on a drape. If you don't make your own curtains, you can use ready made curtains and sew beads onto them for a unique customized look.

Some can even be glued on, rather than sewed on, for the really seriously sewing impaired. Sewing beads on, however will look more professional, and hold up in the dry cleaners or washing machine better. Using beads in your decorating is a fun and easy way to give your home a new face-lift. The cost of adding beads as curtains or other decorative features is minimal and you can do so many things to make them different such as using them on closets, or pulling them back to put a glow of light and color into your room.

About The Author:

Eric Slarkowski usually publishes news stories on subjects related to drapes and decoration. His comments on beaded curtains are found on his website .