How to Choose the Perfect Window Treatments

An often overlooked design layer is window treatments - yet they can radically effect the look of a room - for good or bad. I think we avoid dealing with them because we feel they are expensive and a pain to install. Well, that is simply not the case! Beautiful solutions start at $10 and can take as little as 15 minutes to install. No more excuses? Well then, lets look at our options!

First things first: you need to decide on what you want the treatment to do. Provide privacy, light control, energy efficiency, or strictly look good? Once you determine what your focus will be, you can move onto style.

A) Sheers: Soften the look of the window and filter sunlight.

B) Drapes or Curtains: Fabric that flows from a track or rod.

C) Roman Shades: These shades are made of woven fabric and feature folded, horizontal pleats usually 4 to 6 inches deep. They can be raised or lowered over the window. Provide energy efficiency, privacy and sun protection.

D) Roller Shades: This inexpensive option is chic and simple.

E) Shutter-Blinds: Superior sun control, light and privacy.

F) Matchstick Blinds: This textured and inexpensive option are great on there own or paired with drapes.

G) Tailored Valance: These decorative treatments cover the top of your window or patio door.

H) Cafe curtains: Cover the bottom half of the window - often put in the kitchen or laundry room.

I) Horizontal Blinds: Maximum view through, optimal privacy.

Sidenote: A great investment in rooms where you want to let the view and light in through the top of the window but want to cover the bottom portion is top-down/bottom-up window shades. They offer the ability to operate window treatments (including Roman Shades, cellular shades, pleated shades, woven wood shades and honeycomb shades) from the top down or the bottom up to meet all your privacy needs while still giving you access to natural light.

STYLE TIP! Window treatments that are out of style, ugly and will date your house! Beware, keep away from: Thin metal horizontal blinds, vertical blinds, drapery that is either too light or heavy for the formality of the room, swags in dated fabric. Any treatment that doesn't fit the style of your house or furnishings. Your window treatments should be a great support to your overall design and not compete with it.

MEASURE: Don't simply measure your window - but the area you want your treatments to cover. This is key: Placing your drapery rod, for example between the windowsill and the ceiling (versus at the top of the sill) will make your windows look taller. As far as length have your drapes grace the floor like well tailored pants, not high-waters. If you want the puddled look make sure you account for that in your measurements. As far as width- or the number of panels, if you are simply going for aesthetics or "dummy panels" you have no intention of ever pulling closed - you will only need two panels - if you want a very gathered feel you may need to buy more then that to ensure coverage. Also - you may want to start your panels covering wall space to give the illusion that your window is much larger then it is - another great design trick.

WHERE TO BUY: My favs are Target, Bed Bath and Beyond and Walmart. But if you can afford it, go with Hunter Douglas for investment treatments that will take wear and tear and look great BUT go with neutral colors and lines (see style tip above) to ensure your investment will stay with the times!

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