Choosing window treatments for your home can seem like a daunting task, but if you know what rules to keep in mind, it could prove to be an easy, enjoyable experience. Once you have established what you need your window treatments to accomplish, you can proceed with confidence along with your window treatment provider. Soon you will be enjoying the view both inside and outside of your room. This week's lesson is about learning what you want from your windows.
Your Window Treatment's Purpose
The age-old saying, “Form follows function,” also applies when choosing your window treatments. Believe it or not, what your window covering does is more important than how it looks. Do you need to block the neighbor’s view into your bedroom? Control the sun’s glare in the afternoon? Add color or texture to an otherwise bland room? If any of these needs are unfulfilled, you will be unhappy with your choice, no matter how attractive it is in photographs.
PRIVACY
For privacy, you have plentiful options these days. If you like the bold architecture of plantation shutters, you can have them installed with a midrail, which allows you to open the top louvers independently of the bottom ones. That way, you can leave the top section open for light, while the bottom section remains closed for privacy. Prefer the rich texture of woven wood shades? There is a world of color and style to choose from in this popular window treatment.
LIGHT CONTROL
If you want to diffuse the natural light, but not block it out completely, consider a honeycomb shade like Hunter Douglas’ Duette, a luxury shade such as the Hunter Douglas Silhouette or Luminette, or plantation shutters. If you want to block more light, some shades do offer a blackout lining, but your best bet is to “layer” the window with multiple treatments.
For example, start with a dark walnut stained woven wood shade and add a pair of inverted pleat drapery panels in a natural earth-tone print. Add a blackout lining to the draperies, and hang them from a bamboo rod with bamboo rings. For a crisp, clean look, install white plantation shutters and top with a vertical striped drapery. Use blackout lining on the drapes, and add a grommet top with a stainless steel rod for a modern look.
(Hint: To make the room appear larger, have drapery panels made to extend the entire height of the wall—from about ½” off the floor to within a few inches of the ceiling.) Remember that no window treatment can block 100% of sunlight from entering a room, but it can be vastly reduced.
DECORATION
While window treatments do serve a purpose, they are also a major factor in the room’s décor. For a subtle look that adds texture and dimension, choose a fabric one shade lighter or darker than your wall color. For a real “pop” to your room, choose a bold print or a bold color for the primary fabric. When possible, repeat the fabric elsewhere in the room with pillows, bedding, or even an upholstered headboard. Many designers follow the “Rule of Three” when choosing fabrics: begin with a large print, and then choose a coordinating small print and a stripe or plaid. I find adding another solid color with texture works well, but be careful not to add too many fabrics in one room. It can sometimes feel like clutter to the eyes.
No matter which window treatments you choose, don’t be afraid to layer them and have some fun. There is no better way to add personality, color and dimension to your room than by decorating your windows. They occupy a large amount of real estate in the space and provide ample opportunity to express your design tastes. Tune in next week to learn more about choosing the right window treatments for your lifestyle.
