6 minute read
ENHANCING YOUR HOME WITH THE RIGHT WINDOW TREATMENTS
By Becky Smith
CEYLON COLLECTION FROM THIBAUT, PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THIBAUT INC.
Window Treatments have long been a staple in interior design, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes. While often overlooked, window treatments play a crucial role in enhancing a room's atmosphere, controlling light, and providing privacy. From an aesthetic standpoint, window treatments play a vital role in enhancing a space's overall beauty and completeness.
Whether you are redecorating your home or designing a new space, understanding the different types, styles, and materials for widow treatments is essential for achieving the desired look and functionality. Investing in the right window treatments from the start is crucial.
Assessing Your Needs: Factors to Consider for Each Room
Window treatments: When selecting window treatments for your home, it is important to consider factors such as your budget, lighting requirements, and functionality. Each room has its own unique needs, and considering these will enable you to make informed decisions that not only enhance the overall appearance but also offer practical benefits. For instance, if a particular space is seldom used, choosing prepackaged window treatments can provide a quick and cost-effective solution. Alternatively, semi-custom options are available for heavily frequented areas with a moderate budget, offering specific measurements, blackout capabilities, and even choices of tapes and trims. However, if you desire an extensive range of patterns and colors with the ability to mix and match fabrics while specifying functionality, custom window treatments are the optimal choice.
Lighting: Consider the amount of natural light that enters the room. In spaces where you want to maximize light, choose sheer or light-filtering window treatments. For rooms that require more privacy or light control, opt for blackout curtains or blinds with adjustable slats.
Functionality: Think about how you use each room. For bedrooms, consider room-darkening options to promote a good night's sleep. In high-moisture areas like kitchens or bathrooms, choose window treatments that are resistant to moisture and can be easily cleaned.
Style: After determining the lighting and function of your window treatment, it's time to select a style that complements your room's existing decor. Consider options like Roman shades, valances, or drapery panels, all of which add elegance or visual interest to the overall theme. Both Roman shades and drapery panels offer different levels of light coverage, ranging from minimal to complete blackout. Valances can be used with either option or on their own if no light coverage is necessary. Each choice will give your room a distinctive design look.
If you decide on drapery panels, make sure to consider the heading style where the curtain meets the rod. While there are various reasons why one heading style may be preferred over another, a pleated header typically offers a more custom appearance. Keep in mind that choosing a pleated header will require more fabric if full window coverage is desired. Roman shades also come in different styles and can be mounted inside or outside the window frame, which may influence whether you choose a relaxed shade or a pleated shade.
Find the Perfect Window Treatment
By carefully considering these factors for each room, you can find the perfect window treatments that not only enhance the beauty of your home but also meet your specific budget and needs.
Customized treatments: When customizing window treatments, it is highly advised to seek the assistance of a professional. This is because the process requires both artistic talent and precise calculations. Various factors such as doorways, light switches, millwork, installation heights/widths, fabric repeats, and hardware measurements need to be taken into consideration when ordering fabric or providing details to a seamstress or workroom.
Working with an interior decorator or window treatment specialist will also ensure that you are provided with an installer, which can be extremely helpful for larger windows, multiple rooms, and unique installations. Hiring an interior designer can be a great investment when you want to ensure that your window treatments are perfectly tailored to your home. Whether you have a specific vision in mind or need help deciding on the best options for your space, a professional can provide valuable expertise.
Do It Yourself: If you prefer a do-it-yourself approach, consider these trade tips.
⯀ Hanging your treatments high and/or wide will give the illusion of larger windows and create a more luxurious look.
⯀ Before installing the rod, hold it up along with the curtain panel to visually confirm your measurements and determine where exactly the panel will land.
⯀ Avoid hanging curtain panels higher than 1/2" off the ground. Professionals may choose to have their panels hover slightly or have a break at the bottom.
⯀ Inside-mounted Roman shades allow for showcasing millwork while adding a tailored appearance. Outside-mounted shades provide a more casual look and can be combined with blackout lining for enhanced light coverage.
⯀ Keep your original measurements handy during installation as some fabrics may stretch slightly once hung due to added linings or the weight of the panel.
Achieving the perfect ambiance in each room of your home requires meticulous attention to detail, especially when it comes to window treatments. By incorporating various elements such as valances, cornices, drapery panels, or decorative trims and hardware, you can elevate the overall design of your space. Opting for designer fabrics and trims allows for a customized and tailored look specifically in your style. Investing in high-quality window treatments is a wise decision that will bring long-term satisfaction for years to come.
BECKY SMITH is the owner of The Linen Duck, which provides a range of semi-custom choices for drapery panels and soft shades, along with professional interior design services to assist you in creating the ideal custom options for your home. Visit them to explore our extensive selection of fabrics and trims or schedule an appointment for a consultation on window treatments. Call (931) 548-2422 or email Becky@thelinenduck.com.
