Are you looking for a new look for your windows for decorative purposes or simply for functionality - cover up a bad view or get some privacy from your nosy neighbours?

Let's take a look at some window treatments which are widely available at most home linen, home decor or fabric stores.

Most of the "ready-to-wear" (non-custom) curtains you will find today come in panels which are meant to be installed on a decorative curtain rod.

These panels come in just about any type of fabric - from faux suede, cotton, sheers, heavy velvet all the way up to pure silk.

You get great versatility with these panels. The panels shown here will install without any custom work! Less work, less money = Great for budget decorating!

Rod Pocket Curtain Panels - The oldest of all varieties of curtain panels. The rod pocket curtain panels have a pocket / opening for the drapery rod to slip through. The rod pocket drapery panels have been around almost forever so they are available in just about any fabric and color combination. Because the look of rod pocket curtains is meant to be gathered, you will generally require 2-3 times the width of your window if you want to be able to open and close them.

Flat Top Curtain Panels - The basic flat top curtain panels are just that - flat at the top. They have to be attached with a drapery clip. These drapery clips are sold just about everywhere and are very functional. I like this method because you have control of how many clips you will use and because they are metal, they glide easily on the drapery rod.

Tab Top Curtain Panels - Probably the most common of all ready made curtain panels. Tab top panel curtains are super simple to install. Put up your curtain rod and slip the tab top curtain panels on the rod. An easy and inexpensive window treatment appropriate for a more casual decor.

Hidden Tab Top Curtain Panels - These are a great adaptation of the original tab top curtain panels. The tabs are actually on the back at the top of the drapery panel. They install equally as easily - simply by sliding the tabs onto the curtain drapery rod. The look these hidden tab top panels give is a bit more sophisticated than the simple tab top panels due to the way they naturally fold as they hang.

Grommet Top Curtain Panels - The newer, more modern version of the tab top panelled curtains. These grommetted top curtain panels install just as easily. Simply slide the grommets over the curtain rod and you are done. The benefit to these grommetted drapery panels is that they will slide open and closed more easily than tab top panels. They also tend to hang better naturally the way drapes should.

Pinch Pleated Drapery Ready Made Panels - For a more formal look, you may want to opt for a pinch pleated curtain panel. These are a classic drapery which tends to be custom made so if you can find some ready made pinch pleat drapery panels, you will get a great look for much, much less. These panels will install with the classic and original I-rod metal rod which is not visible once the panels are installed. You can now get some decorative wooden and metal rods which come with rings which, in turn, have a ring on them to which the drapery clip attaches. In this newer version, the decorative rod and rings remain visible - a nice, new adaptation of the classic pinch pleat draperies.

Whatever ready made curtain panel you choose, you will surely save some money as compared to having draperies custom made. For most of us with our average sized windows and ceiling heights, ready made curtains will work and will save us a lot of money. If you have special sized windows or high ceilings and windows, you may have to look at custom draperies which will cost you more.