• Dress up boring sheer curtains with a better drapery rod.through the curtains image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com
  
  The sheer curtain can be layered with another sheer, used under another window dressing or used entirely alone. For those applications when the sheer panel is hung underneath another window dressing the hardware that may be used is fairly limited. Avoid wasting valuable budget dollars. Never use elaborate or special effect rods underneath an over drape. However, for an over sheer or a sheer mounted alone, the special effect hardware is very much in order. Often the selection of hardware coupled with the appropriate design for the sheer fabric will maximize the visual effect of not only the window, but an entire wall.
  
  

The Flat Four-Inch Rod

• The flat four-inch drapery rod was introduced onto the window dressing scene in the early 1990s and remains in use now. It was first introduced as a versatile rod that permitted a pretty look across the top of a window dressing without spending exorbitant amounts of money for costly finishes such as a cornice board or lambrequin. The rod became an instant hit. Use of this rod goes hand in hand with a triple-fullness sheer panel. Plan floor length sheers for use with this rod to avoid ineffective distribution of the visual balance the rod naturally affords.
  
  

The Flat Two-Inch Rod

• The flat two-inch rod is best used alone with sheers which stop at the window sill. Triple fullness in finished width is the rule for sheers mounted on this rod. On windows less than 48 inches in width the rod may be stacked in double or triple fashion. The stacked installation provides a unique look of beautiful gathers that will only be achieved with this rod. The rod is also offered in a spring tension arrangement for mounting sheers inside the window frame. Use this type of installation with the two-inch rod where minimalism is needed at the window.
  
  

The Decorative Brass Rod

• There are windows that require very little dressing due to the architectural accoutrements that surround or share wall space with the window. In these situations a number of decorative rods with a concealed traverse mechanism are the most logical choice. Maintain the finished triple full standard for sheers with the decorative brass rod. Less fullness looks inappropriate with such an elegant rod.
  
  

The Decorative Knob

• Wall mounted decorative knobs are used with sheer panels of free-form construction. This type of hardware is used on windows that do not require an overall dressing. Thus construction of the panel is simple and requires nothing more than copious amounts of fabric in a single length. Mount these decorative knobs directly into the wall without a rod. Install knobs at equal distances from one another slightly above the top of the window frame and just past each corner. Lay the sheer at full length across the knobs. Wrap and tie the sheer to each knob working from the center knob in each direction. Achieve the best look by allowing the fabric to naturally fall into gentle swoops between each knob.