When decorating your home, you consider the color of your walls, the placement of your furniture, the artwork that hangs in each room - why not give your window treatments the same attention? Rather than simply hanging boring blinds or a flimsy shade, you can opt for both fun and sophisticated treatments that complement your décor. Cat Wei, co-host of DIY Network's Material Girls, shares some of her secrets for dressing your windows to the nines.

The first thing to consider when choosing window treatments are the elements of design - color, line, texture and balance - and how each affects the overall appearance of the room. Wei says that each element plays a vital role in both the look and feel of the room.

"In terms of color," she says, "window treatments are a great way to brighten a neutral wall paint because most people have neutral walls. It's also an easy way to introduce color to your room without a lot of commitment."

According to Wei, the shape or lines of window treatments are often a reflection of personality. People who prefer neat, clean designs often choose a valance or roman shade, which provides a tailored look which stays tight to the window area, while others may opt for a more ornate décor and use a swag of some sort or full floor length drapery panels.

"Texture," she says, "is all about adding an extra dimension to your windows, and lies largely in your choice of tactile fabrics."

Finally, balance is crucial, as it adds a sense of symmetry to the room.

From French doors to sliding glass doors, bay windows to arched, each type of window has a particular treatment that works best with its shape and design.

French Doors

"Part of the appeal of French doors," Wei says, "is their sense of grandness. I prefer not to cover them at all, unless it's necessary for privacy." If you do need privacy though, say off a bedroom balcony, Wei recommends installing café rods and using a light, thin scrim, which will provide privacy but won't detract from elegance.

Arched Windows

Often the best treatment for arched windows is actually no treatment at all. "I sometimes leave arched windows open as a clear story," Wei says. "Unless you're trying to block harsh sunlight, it's nice to have a clear story window that lets light in without jeopardizing privacy."

If you do need to block light or want to add an element of privacy, Wei suggests ordering a custom insert in a color that matches the room to create a subtle sculptural look.

Sliding Windows

Sliding windows work best with treatments that won't obstruct the slide of the window. "I like the idea of doing a valance board above the window because it doesn't get in the way of the sliding mechanism, but it adds a nice little accent to the room." She also suggests Roman shades for their vertical movement, which won't interfere with the window's ability to slide.

Bay Windows

Wei says one of the most creative and functional treatments for a bay window is to add a window seat. With a little bit of padding and some comfy throw pillows, a window seat creates a full, inviting look to the room. For coverage, she recommends a series of four panels that provide privacy and style.

Wei offers several creative illusions to make your windows appear larger, allow more light and maximize the space in your room.

Enlarging Your Windows

For small windows, Wei suggests extending curtain rods past the edges of your windows on both sides so that drapes hang at the edge of each window. "That way, it almost appears that your windows actually continue behind the curtains," she says. Another trick is to lengthen your windows by placing a valance board several inches above the window frame so the window appears taller than it actually is.

Letting in Light

To allow maximum light exposure in your rooms, Wei recommends using solar shades, which diffuse rays, but still allow natural light to stream in. Sheers and light fabrics are also optimal for bringing light into a space.

Maximizing Space

Wei also recommends solar shades to open up a room. "I worked on an apartment with open space, but the windows had very heavy, dark, ultra-suede brown curtains that went from the floor to the ceiling," she says. "We ended up installing solar shades in the window pockets, and it made a significant difference in opening up the space." Wei says that even without solar shades, you can create a look of continuity by choosing light, gauzy, linen panels similar to your wall color. That way, she says, your eye isn't immediately drawn to a small, dark space.

From letting in light to protecting your privacy to adding a splash of style to your room, window treatments can be both flattering and functional. With the right treatments, your windows have the ability to unify your décor and showcase your personality.