If you are similar to most consumers, your search for that perfect decorative drapery hardware treatment most likely started off with an wonderful pair of finials that you saw inside a shop, in a friend's household or online. Now, you're trying desperately to find each of the matching drapery hardware components like drapery rod brackets, rings and poles to to match those finials that you simply can't live without. Even though this method of assembling your decorative drapery rod may work all right generally, - you could find you're putting the cart before the horse - or, more accurately - "putting the finials before the drapery pole".

Before you select your finials, you ought to figure out the proper rod diameter for the window.

One the most significant, and one of the most misunderstood aspects of choosing your decorative curtain pole is choosing the proper rod diameter to work with. Curtain rods come in a lot of different diameters. Wood drapery rods are usually for sale in 1 3/8", 2", 2 1/4" and 3" diameters. And, metal drapery poles usually are for sale in 1", 1 1/4", 1 3/8" and 2" diameters.

Deciding on a rod diameter is often a question of perspective.

The first issue to take on when picking your pole diameter will be the size and position of your window. A normal single window (around three or four feet) that's within a room with normal ceilings might be a perfect candidate to get a 1 3/8" wood drapery pole or 1" metal curtain pole. But, a regular single window inside of a room with uncommonly high ceilings or over an open transom would require A larger pole diameter. Think in terms of how your drapery treatment will look when viewed from floor level. A smaller size pole diameter that is hung 12 feet off the floor may appear flimsy to someone looking at it from the ground, even though it can certainly support the weight of the drapery. The further away from eye level, the smaller your curtain rod will seem.

The opposite is also true. For example, a 3" diameter wood pole would seem totally out of place with a regular size window at eye level. But, move that same window another 4 feet or so above eye level, and the 3" pole diameter would likely seem just great.

The entire width of one's window influences your rod diameter selection.

If your window span to be included in your decorative curtain rod is 5 feet if not more, it's possible you'll like the feel of a 2" or 2 1/4" curtain pole. While smaller rod diameters look nice on normal size windows, double windows or wide windows typically do better with larger pole diameters.

Contemplate your drapery weight when comparing curtain rod diameters.

You may well be shocked to know that virtually all wood drapery pole sizes from 1 3/8" to 3" do equally well with both heavy and light-weight draperies. However, in case you have unusually heavy curtains, or draperies that are lined and interlined, consider a 2" wood pole as the minimum diameter.

Keep your look constant.

You may have a scenario where one window within your room is actually a double window and the rest are single. Rather than picking several drapery rod diameters to meet the requirements of each window - select your pole diameter according to your largest window and use the same diameter for your other windows.

As a final point, Don't be concerned about those finials that you just can't live without! Virtually all makers of decorative drapery hardware make versions of their finials specifically sized to match each drapery rod diameter out there. So, ideally, you can pick the suitable rod diameter and still make use of the finials that you adore. Let's just hope that we can locate a pole to suit in the same finish!