How to Choose Window Treatments

Tap to Read ➤ Rimlee Bhuyan

The right window treatment can completely transform the look of any room. Take a look at some of the guidelines to follow while choosing window treatment for your home...

Window treatments serve many purposes, from functional ones like providing privacy and controlling the amount of sunlight filtering to the room to aesthetic ones like enhancing the décor. So window coverings should be chosen with care.

The right window treatment is one that combines functionality with style. With so many options in window treatments, it might be a bit daunting to choose a specific style for your window coverings. But by properly evaluating your home décor needs and understanding your design sensibilities, you can find a window treatment that is both functional and stylish.

Choosing Window Treatments for Your Home

Let's take a look at some of the things that you need to consider while choosing window treatments for your home.

Shape and Structure of Windows

Before you go to a store, trying to replicate window treatment designs from an interior design magazine, spare a thought to the structure and design of your windows first. The type of windows you have in your room has a bearing on the kind of window treatment that it would look good in.

The shape and size of the window will determine which style of window covering will look good on it. For unconventional window shapes like bay windows, arched windows or double story windows, you need to think out of the box and come up with styles that enhance their unique shape.

Functionality of the Window Treatment

Another very important thing to consider while choosing window treatments for your home is what function do you want the window covering to fulfill. If you want to control the amount of light filtering through the windows, then you need a window treatment that allows that.

Lined curtains and drapes, vertical and horizontal blinds are great option. If the room does not receive much sunlight and you want to take advantage of all the natural light that you can get, then choose sheer drapes.

It lets sunlight to filter in and also gives an airy atmosphere to the room. Where privacy is a concern, heavy drapes and roman shades are a great option.

Decor of the Room

When selecting the window treatment for a particular room, make sure that the window coverings match the décor of the room. For a cottage style or country style décor, traditional patterned curtains with ornate valance looks really good.

For a more modern décor, sheer drapes, wooden blinds and sleek roman blinds give the room a contemporary appearance. The style and design of window treatment should match with the style of furniture and the accessories of a room for a cohesive and chic look.

Material, Color and Texture

There are many materials, colors and textures of window treatment available in the market and the sheer variety of it can confuse any home owner. The material should match the décor and create the ambiance that you want.

You can choose from natural materials like wooden blinds, bamboo blinds and plantain shutters as well as drapery fabrics like cotton, cotton blends and linen. These types of materials give an earthy and natural look to your home. You can also choose materials like aluminum and plastic blinds.

The color and texture of curtains, blinds and shades should merge well with the rest of the décor.

Length of the Window Treatment

If you have decided on using drapes or curtains for your windows, then you have to know what length the curtains should be.

Floor length curtains that level with the floor or just grazes the floor are great for bedrooms and study. For a more formal look, you can choose softly billowing curtains that pool at the floor.

Although this style looks extremely elegant, you have to spend a lot of effort and money in maintaining it. For the kitchen, you can choose cafe curtains that are hung at the midpoint of the window and which comes up to the windowsill. Cafe curtains are also a great option for single windows in any other room.

Style of Window Treatment Hardware

If you are selecting mini blinds or vertical blinds for your windows, then there is little choice in hardware as it comes pre packaged. But if you want to install curtains and valances on your windows, then there is a vast choice in hardware too.

You can choose curtain rods that are ornate and decorative for imparting a polished and luxurious look. But if your décor is minimal, then simple curtain rods in a plain finish looks the best. If you want double layered curtains (heavy drapes on top and sheers on bottom), then you would require to install double curtain rods.

Window treatments should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The right window covering will enhance the décor of the room and give it the ambiance that you want.