Window treatments can make or break a room…
Roller shades in our kitchen keep the look modern and fresh.
…and there’s nothing that can feel more unfinished in a space than a bare window. Yet with copious amounts of options (shades! draperies! panels!) how do you know what to pick for your space? Here’s the four things I keep in mind, and you can use as guidelines, when planning window treatments…along with a sneak peek of what we chose in our own home!
Choosing The Right Window Treatments
1. Consider the room’s purpose.
Throw away the misconception that window treatments should match throughout the home. Different rooms serve different purposes, which means they each require different dressings. For example, I like to use heavy draperies in media rooms and/or basements because the sound-deadening quality makes a huge difference when watching the latest flick on your sofa. Yet in bedrooms, I often opt for a blackout shade with sheer panels for a soft, romantic and relaxing aesthetic.
Hint: Not sure what’s available? Head over to HGTV’s guide to window treatments for a list of options, sure to fit your every style and budget.
A sliding glass door in our living room is dressed up with modern panels from The Shade Store.
2. Figure out the window’s main function.
Will you be utilizing your window for a cross-breeze, as a source for natural light or for a marvelous view? I like to use non-fussy roller shades that are as seamless as they are functional for windows that will be accessed heavily.
Hint: For sliding glass doors, try modern panels. (We found ours at The Shade Store, and installation couldn’t have been easier!)
3. Keep in mind privacy.
In any bedroom and/or bathroom, I always splurge on a privacy lining. If you’re a light sleeper, you may want to also invest in blackout/privacy lining. Whatever you decide, be sure the window treatments you pick keep your home private, comfortable and at ease from the outside world.
Hint: Want to fancy up a private space? Try window films!
A modern panel track system (also from The Shade Store) keeps our dining room bright and private.
4. Think decor.
Lastly (but certainly not least!), think of your window treatments as the cherry on top of your well-designed ice cream sundae. Try patterned panels to take an already-lovely room to the next level, or go glam with metallic textures. Because I like to switch my decor each season, I like to use a light, airy pattern in the summer and a heavy tweed in the winter. Find what works best for you, and go for it!
Hint: Not sure where to start? Perhaps a chevron?
What about you, friends? Any tried-and-true tips for choosing window treatments? I’d love to hear your thoughts below!
[...] via: Design for Mankind: How Do You Choose Window Treatments? Here’s 4 Helpful Tips Category: Design Tags: Choose, Design, Helpful, Here’s, Mankind, Tips, Treatments, [...]
I like a nice honeycomb pleated shade, so that i get both room darkening and able to open to get the view out my window. And it's also gives me additional heating and cooling benefits.
Remembering privacy is definitely important. I was going for romance in the bedroom and put up some lovely sheers. Unfortunately, our bedroom window is right off the parking lot at our Condo. That treatment didn't last long.
QUIETTRA OH HGTV I JUST LOVE ALL YOUR IDEAS LIKE THAT PRETTY CURTIENS TO BRING OUT TH WINDOW WATCH YOUR SHOW EVERY NIGHT AT WORK ALL THE WAY DOWN FROM BUYING HOMES TO FIXING THEM UP I ALWAYS WANTED TO SELLS HOUSES BUT ECONMY IS SO BD I NEED A JOB THAT WILL BRING IN A PAY EVERY TWO WEEKS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. ANY WA WHEN I WACTH YOUR SHOW IT PUTS ME IN ANOTHER WORLDI JUST LOVE IT I TELL PEOPLE ABOUT THIS SHOW ALL THE TIME. IT GIVES ME GREAT IDEAS AND SOME TIME I FEEL LKE A PART OF THE TEAM THANKS HGTV .
So glad to hear about how HGTV brightens your day! (I too have longed to buy houses, fix them up and sell them. Maybe someday.) And that you enjoy the blog!
There are so many beautiful window blinds and shades. It is always nice to also do a decorative drapery or valance treatment to soften this look. Fabric-either used on a roman shade or drapery panels just add the finishing touches to a room.
So true!
Thanks for weighing in, friends!
I think you meant to say "Here ARE 4 helpful tips" since "Here IS 4 helpful tips" is grammatically incorrect.
[...] There are certain things to keep in mind when choosing the right window treatments for your Richmond home. A bare window can make any room or home a drag, so be sure to pay attention to all of the qualities of the space to decide on how you would like to dress up your windows. [...]
I have bedroom windows that are 76" wide and 26" long. Any suggestions for covering them. I now have valances over them but in the morning, the sun comes in on one side of the house. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
This is not an answer to your problem but to say I have the same type window on one wall and a regular size window on another wall in the same room. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THAT????
I love the privacy my trees and shrubs give me from the outside world, but always "finish" my windows with a valance that picks up the main color/colors in the room. I hate the look of a bare window but don't like anything too fussy either (country decor in this 109-yr. old house).
Here's one you may not have thought of. Buy a yard of outdoor fabric. Search for it online. Buy a tension rod that will fit as an inside mount. Have a seamstress make a curtain for you using the fabric cut and hemmed to size. I would do 2x the width of the window for fullness and would do a grommett top. Not as refined is a hemmed top wide enough to slide the tension bar into it. Hope that helps. I am a decorator in New City, NY and love challenges. Check me out at http://www.romancingthehomeinteriors.net
hope that helped.
The tension rod is a wonderful idea along with 2-3 times the width of the window, depending on the fabric. Get a ready-made curtain and cut it to the length you want and if you do not sew, use a hemming tape with your iron. The look will depend on what curtain you pick. Keep in mind when selecting the fabric how much humidity builds up in the room. It is much more economical than hiring a seamstress. When you leave it will be easy to take with you and inexpensive enough to leave behind, if you wish.
we have painted most of the rooms in our home already and have plantation shutters in the entire house, but want the warmth of curtains too. i am worried that it wont look correct, especially in the living room. i like the French/English country look but have a leather sofa as well as 2 floral chairs that we recently purchased. it is an open type floor plan with large windows on one side with transom windows on top,hard wood floor with area rug and a fireplace. any suggestions?
For privacy, I recommend topdown-bottomup shades so that you can raise them as high as you want from the bottom for privacy and still get light from the top. In addition, a honeycomb shade one-three cells deep can add insulating value and still let in soft light. You can add curtains as needed.
I love the slide/track panels you choose – they fit the space so well!
I like that you also put forward the idea of window films, I recently took down my drapes and matchstick blinds in my living room (which is now my studio for photography, sewing and clothing design) and put up frosted window film and LOVE it!
I did the entire two windows that face the street. I did only the lower half of the windows on the walls that face the neighbors… It was the perfect solution as I needed something easy to maintain and keep clean, and the added bonus of diffused light is perfect for a work space.
Keep up the good work- I just love what you are doing with your new home!
I have been looking to change the blinds and window coverings in my house. I want to warm up my home a little bit and I think starting with the windows is a great idea. These tips will be very helpful and I can't wait to put them to good use!
I have a sliding glass patio door off of the living room area.I do not use the door often.I have vertical blinds there .But I am so tried of the vertical blind look.Is there anything new that I can try ?