window treatments explained

Are you renovating or building a home? Have you thought about your window treatments yet? I often meet home owners who have overlooked the value and practicality of good quality window treatments for their home. It’s been left out of the renovation budget or build budget and when it comes time to move in you realise you haven’t sorted your window treatments, and you’ll be living with sheets stapled over your windows while you get them sorted.

Don’t leave your window treatments as an after thought, plan them into your reno or build so that they blend perfectly with your interior. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right treatments for your windows. Some windows may require a different treatment to others in your home. So, let's talk about how to pick the perfect window treatments for your space.

The first thing to consider is what is the purpose of your window treatments? Do you want to let in natural light while maintaining privacy, or do you want to block out the sun completely? Once you know what you want to achieve, you can begin to narrow down your options. Your living room for example might be fine to have sheer curtains or a combination of sheers and roller blinds while your bedrooms need to be dark for more comfortable sleeping so you may opt for block outs.

Let's start with curtains. Curtains are a classic window treatment option that can be used in any room. They come in a variety of materials, patterns, and colours, so you're sure to find something that suits your style. If you're looking to block out the sun, opt for a fabric with a block out lining. On the other hand, if you want to let in some light while maintaining privacy, consider sheer curtains. Sheers give such a nice soft feel to your interior spaces and I must admit I am a big fan!

Blinds are a versatile window treatment option that can be used in any room. They come in a variety of materials, including wood, faux wood, and metal. They also come in different styles, including vertical and horizontal commonly called Venetian. If you want to let in some light while maintaining privacy, opt for vertical blinds. If you want to block out the sun completely, consider horizontal blinds.

Shades are another popular window treatment option. They come in a variety of styles, including Roman shades, roller shades, and cellular shades. If you want to block out the sun completely, consider blackout shades. If you want to let in some light while maintaining privacy, consider sheer shades. If you are looking at roller shades you can get double rollers, where you have one sheer sun filter type fabric and another with a solid block out fabric. You can choose which one to close depending on the situation or time of day. Think about the overall style of your home and consider which shade is best suited. Roller shades have a more modern and minimalist look to them, while a Roman shade feels more traditional or transitional in style.

Shutters have been a popular option for many homes, particularity Hamptons or more traditional style homes. Shutters come in a variety of styles, including plantation shutters and café shutters. They are a great option if you want to let in some light while maintaining privacy. Their are some limitations with shutters however which you may want to consider. Shutters are typically fixed, meaning can only adjust the vanes to a certain degree. So if you like the feeling of letting in the maximum amount of light through your windows you will be limited by the fixed nature of shutters. They are not always practical when opening and closing your windows either.

Now that we've covered the basics, let's talk about how to choose the right window treatments for your space. The first thing to consider is the size of your windows. If you have large windows, you'll want to choose a window treatment that can cover them completely. If you have small windows, you'll want to choose a window treatment that doesn't overpower them.

Next, consider the style of your room. If you have a traditional room, you may want to opt for curtains or shutters. If you have a modern room, you may want to opt for blinds or shades. Consider the colours and patterns in your room when choosing your window treatments.

Finally, consider your budget. Window treatments can vary greatly in price, so it's important to choose something that fits within your budget.

Choosing the right window treatments for your home can be a daunting task. But with a little bit of knowledge and consideration, you can find the perfect window treatment to suit your needs and style. Whether you choose curtains, blinds, shades, or shutters, your new window treatments are sure to make a dramatic impact on your space.