How to Pick Window Treatments
Choosing Stylish Coverings That Address Your Needs
Window treatments are not only essential for privacy, light, and temperature control, but also play a big role in the overall décor of your home. They tend to be quite an investment and good research will ensure your final choice will serve your needs well, and for a long time. Before you start, ask yourself these key questions to cover all your bases:
- What is your budget?
- What are the dimensions of your windows?
- What type of window are you covering? Bay window, French doors, arched, etc.
- What is the key purpose of your treatment? Privacy, aesthetics, temperature control, etc.
- What lifespan do you expect out of your investment and how often are you willing to perform maintenance and cleaning?
Then it's time to review your options!
For many years, the variety of off-the-shelf window treatments was limited. Thankfully consumer prayers have been answered, and do-it-yourselfers have a large variety of affordable, ready-made window treatments at their fingertips. From simple tab-top drapery panels to ready-made wooden blinds, retailers like Sears have substantially reduced the cost of fun and functional window treatments.
Sustainable materials like bamboo, and recycled materials lead the charge as eco-savvy trendsetters. Your overall design style will ultimately determine the style of window covering you choose. Minimalists will lean towards the clean contemporary offerings of blinds and shades, whereas classic design tastes will choose richly textured fabrics, and interesting drapery.
Lets take a look at your options and some key features of each style:
Blinds
- Slatted window covering that adjusts to allow light in with a hinging motion
- Most commonly aluminum, wood, laminate or plastic
- Horizontal or vertical orientation
- Easy to dust or wipe down with a damp cloth
- Excellent solution for privacy, light and temperature control
- Contribute contemporary aesthetic appeal
Drapes
- Fabric curtain, hanging from a horizontal rod or track
- Require regular dusting and occasional washing; can be a nuisance to take down and re-hang
- Great solution for privacy and aesthetic appeal
- Strong ability to create full décor cohesion in a room; from rich fabrics and textures in a lounge, to fun prints in the kitchen or a child's room
- Good solution for light control if fitted with blackout liner
Sheers & Lace
- Used mostly for their ability to provide privacy and break up harsh light
- Like drapes, they require regular dusting and occasional washing; can be a nuisance to take down and re-hang
Shades
- Opaque fabric blind; most commonly in a roller or accordion design
- Require dusting and occasional washing
- Excellent solution for privacy, light and temperature control
Energy efficient window coverings are designed to save you money, with an environmental twist because conserving energy is good for our planet! These coverings typically provide an insulating layer between the inside and outside, meaning they will help shield heat from entering the home in the summer, and keep the cold out during the winter.
Darkening treatments may be required to provide additional opacity to your window coverings for additional privacy or to further block light. They can be added as a shield directly to the windowpane or as a layer of black out fabric to the window treatment itself.
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