Choosing the right window treatments is a big job. Your windows and their treatments create the personality for the room. You want them to match what you have going on in the room, but also to be the statement piece that brings the warmth, coziness or other feelings you want the room to embody.
So how do you choose the right window treatments for your home? Check out our tips below.
Choose the Window Treatment Type
First, pick the type of window treatment. Remember, they should be the embodiment of the environment you’re trying to create. Window treatments aren’t an afterthought but rather the pinnacle of the room. Do you want:
- Drapes – These are usually floor-length, heavy-duty, and provide a bit of formality for the room
- Curtains – A version of drapes, curtains are less formal and can be long or short, have a backing or be without
- Blinds – These don’t hang from a rod and can be slightly opened to filter in light without lifting them and are available in a variety of materials including wood and vinyl
- Shades – These cover the entire window and are made of fabric. You lower them to let light in and close them for privacy/security
Consider the Room’s Function
What do you do in the room you’re dressing? Is it a formal room like a living room where you don’t visit often and definitely don’t open and close the window treatments much? Formal drapes do well in these rooms. Choose floor-length or even longer so the drapes puddle on the floor, creating a formal look.
If it’s a room you continually bring light into, such as a bedroom or playroom, you may want something a bit lighter, such as curtains. You can pull them back easily to let sunlight in and draw them closed at night.
If you’re looking for a combination of formal and informal, consider laying windows with sheer curtains and formal drapes. The sheer drapes let natural light into the room, but the heavier drapes give a more formal look or even privacy when you close them on occasion.
Don’t Discount Blinds
Blinds can create a beautiful formal look while allowing you to play with light and shadows in the room. Sometimes blinds are the only option because of the home’s structure, whether a slanted ceiling or a group of windows are close together.
Because there are such a variety of blinds today, you can play with its formality and look by choosing different materials. Blinds are great for rooms you need complete privacy or want effective light blocking.
Like sheer curtains, blinds layer great with drapes or curtains, depending on the look you want to achieve in the room.
Creating a Uniform Look
Don’t choose the same window treatments for the entire home as each room likely has its own personality and/or needs. But if you prefer that ‘uniform’ look you can choose a playful window treatment, such as wood blinds, and change up the look in each room.
For example, in a more formal sitting room, you may add floor-length drapes, while in a bedroom you may add flowy curtains or leave them without any layering. Look at the colors and environment in each room to see what fits. Also, think of the function. How often will you have to move the window treatments to let in light and/or create more privacy?
Have fun choosing window treatments for your home. Besides the wall colors, window treatments set the tone for a room. You want treatments that provide the look you want with the functionality you need.