If you are similar to most consumers, your quest for the perfect decorative drapery hardware treatment probably started off with an magnificent couple of finials that you saw in a store, in a friend's home or on the web.
Now, you're trying desperately to get all of the coordinating drapery hardware components like drapery rod brackets, rings and rods to go with those finials which you can't do without.
Even though this approach to assembling your decorative hardware treatment may work just fine generally, - you might find you're putting the cart before the horse - or, more precisely - "putting the finials before the drapery pole".
Prior to selecting your finials, you should determine the right rod diameter for the window.
The most significant, and just about the most misunderstood facets of choosing your decorative drapery rod is deciding on the proper rod diameter to use.
Curtain poles come in many different diameters.
Wood curtain rods usually are available in 1 3/8", 2", 2 1/4" and 3" diameters.
And, metal drapery poles are usually for sale in 1", 1 1/4", 1 3/8" and 2" diameters.
Picking a pole diameter is usually a case of perspective.
The first issue to undertake when selecting your pole diameter will be the size and position of the window.
A typical single window (around three to four feet) which is within a room with regular ceilings would be a an ideal candidate to get a 1 3/8" wood pole or 1" metal curtain pole.
But, an everyday single window in a room with unusually high ceilings or over an open transom would require A larger pole diameter.
Think in terms of how your decorative treatment will appear when seen from floor level.
A smaller size pole diameter that is hung 12 feet off the floor may look flimsy to someone looking at it from floor level, though it can easily support the weight of the drapery.
The further away from eye level, the smaller your drapery rod will seem.
The reverse is also true.
As an example, a 3" diameter wood drapery pole would appear totally misplaced on a regular size window at eye level.
And yet, move that identical window another 4 feet or so above eye level, and the 3" pole diameter would probably seem all right.
The entire size of your window effects your rod diameter selection.
When the window span to be covered by your decorative curtain pole is 5 feet if not more, you might like the feel of a 2" or 2 1/4" curtain pole.
While smaller rod diameters look nice on regular size windows, double windows or wide windows typically do better with larger rod diameters.
Think about your drapery weight while comparing drapery rod diameters.
You may be shocked to find out that just about all wood drapery rod sizes from 1 3/8" to 3" do as well with both heavy and light-weight draperies.
On the other hand, in case you have unusually heavy curtains, or draperies that are lined and interlined, look at a 2" wood rod as your minimal diameter.
Keep the appearance consistent.
Possibly you have a situation where one window within your room is actually a double window and the rest are single.
Rather than picking various drapery pole diameters to meet the requirements of each and every window - select your rod diameter according to your biggest window and use the same diameter for the other windows.
As a final point, Don't be concerned about those finials that you just can't do without! Almost all suppliers of decorative drapery hardware generate versions of their finials specifically sized to match each curtain pole diameter available.
So, with any luck,, you'll be able to pick the appropriate rod diameter but still make use of the finials that you adore.
We should just simply hope that we can come across a rod to suit in the similar finish!