Things to Look for Before Buying Window Treatments

While sheer curtains look elegant and dreamlike, they alone are a strict no-no for a sun-facing window, especially during the hot summer months.

Window blinds serve a multitude of purposes. Not only do they offer privacy to the inhabitants, and make the windows appear more beautiful, but also perform other functions, such as blocking sunlight, and providing insulation to the room.

There are different types of window treatments out there, which can be easily installed on or around the windows to up the aesthetic appeal. On one hand, you have soft treatments that comprise curtains and blinds, while on the other hand, there are shutters, window blinds, and window shades, that fall under hard treatments.

And that's not all! You can also go ahead and add elements around the windows or add effects to the glass to make the look better.

With so many options to choose from, one might find it difficult to know which one would be the best choice for their room. Here are some factors that you must consider before you decide on a certain type of window treatment.

This refers to your purpose of installing the window treatment in the first place, and the functionality of the one in question. As we have already discussed, different window treatments are designed to serve different purposes.

If you're seeking one that will block light from entering into the room, and/or offer you some much-needed privacy, then you should opt for window shades in a material of your choice. On the other hand, if an elegant window is all you seek, then a sheer drape will best suit the purpose. For windows that are located high up, go in for automated window blinds.

The window treatment requirements for your bathroom windows are surely going to be different from that of your kitchen, isn't it?

In other words, while the former requires one that allows plenty of natural light to come in, the latter should offer privacy. Also, the material on your kitchen windows should be such that it is not easily damaged by exposure to high temperature, smoke, and grease.

On the contrary, the window treatment for the bathroom should be resistant to damage by moisture. So, before you make your decision, take the particular room into consideration.

How can you select a decor for windows without taking them into consideration? The size and shape of your windows has a major role to play in determining the type of window treatment you should go in for.

Ask yourself a few questions. Is it a large window that draws attention immediately as one enters the room? Do you love the view from the window? How would you want the window to appear from the outside? Do you wish to make your window appear larger or smaller? Finding answers to these questions can help you a lot in choosing the perfect window treatment.

If your bedroom has a vintage and classic feel to it, then you should choose drapes or valances in flowy fabrics to add to the dreamy appeal of the room. Choosing aluminum blinds, for example, can have a jarring effect, and kill the mood, before you can even blink an eyelid.

Also, the window treatment should complement the color scheme of the room, and not appear out of place. For a room that has minimalistic decor, choosing something over-the-top won't help, and should be avoided.

Just putting up a window covering is not enough. You should take proper steps for cleaning and maintenance, if you do not want them to look old and lackluster. Different materials have different methods of cleaning, and some are easier to clean than the others. While window shades are the easiest to clean, cleaning blinds can be time-consuming.

How much time you can devote for cleaning the window coverings should also be thought about. Once you find an answer to this question, choose a window treatment accordingly.

Window treatments vary widely in price range, and therefore, it's important that you decide on a budget on the basis of the number of windows you want to cover, and whether you would prefer to install them yourself.

Also, note that you may have to replace all of them in case one of them gets damaged. So, take everything into consideration before making a final decision.

Keeping all the these pointers in mind, head to the market and choose the best one to suit your purpose. Good luck!