How to choose the right window treatments.

Lately I’ve been getting a lot of questions about window treatments.

And, for good reason…

In the past, we discussed how to choose the right lengths for your curtain panels, this naturally led to a few a few more questions…

Specifically, it seems most people want to know how to choose the right window treatments for your home.

And, what type of window treatments work best for specific rooms.

our dining room drapes and brass curtain rod – see more of our dining room here

How To Choose The Right Window Treatment For Your Home

What’s the right choice?

While there’s really no right and wrong answer, I thought it would be worthwhile to explore some of the more popular window treatment options out there.

There’s so many good options available these days, it can be overwhelming, not to mention confusing.

From custom window treatments to faux wood blinds, sheer curtains, vertical blinds and everything in between…

Once you know what’s available, it will be helpful in order to better understand what will suit your space best.

If you’re looking to breathe some fresh air into your home’s interior without committing to a full-on remodel, window treatments are a great solution!

Curtains or cellular shades, blinds and drapes all offer a cost-effective solution to brighten up your house while adding value with a functional improvement that won’t break the bank.

But with the plethora of options out there, how do you choose the best type of window covering for your home?

image from my old home office – see more from this shoot here.

How will you use the window treatment?

So, the first thing you need to address is if your house is situated in a busy, noisy residential area.

If so, opaque shades (think wood blinds and shutters) are your go-to solution.

Essentially, the function of window treatments – be it shades, drapes or curtains – is to add a touch of privacy.

The best type of window treatment will, therefore, depend on your circumstances.

So, the first thing to you need to address is if your house is situated in a busy, noisy residential area.

If so, opaque shades (think wood blinds and shutters) are your go-to solution.

Another good choice would be blackout shades.

Even when back-lit, they’re not see-through from the outside.

They also offer a bit of noise muffling.

If your home’s HVAC system is working overtime, you may want to invest in window treatments that also come with UV ray benefit (they will minimize the amount of heat absorbed and keep your interior cool and cozy).

drapes in our living room – see more of this space here.

Which room is the window treatment for?

The type of room also plays a huge role when choosing the right type of window treatment style.

Bedrooms, family rooms, and kid’s bedrooms go hand-in-hand with room darkening or blackout window treatments.

Traditional drapes are usually thicker and fall right down to the floor.

This makes them ideal for more “formal” rooms such as the dining room.

For more casual day-to-day rooms, go with bamboo, roller shades or Roman shades.

However, at the end of the day, it all boils down to your own personal preference.

Consider the Amount of Light

Be sure to determine how much light your room gets.

This will enable you to make a great choice and get the right window coverings for your space.

Blinds are another type of window treatment which are great for blocking sunlight but are also quite versatile when it comes to aesthetics.

With an abundance of options such as wood, cloth, plastic and more – blinds are a universal solution that can brighten up your home, keep the heat and sunlight out and give you some much-needed privacy.

Bamboo blinds are particularly trendy as they’re eco-friendly and can lend elegance to any room’s décor.

They’re particularly great for families as they’re quite durable. 

It’s also worth noting that these window treatments are very low maintenance.

Bamboo blinds in our family room. Wall color here is Benjamin Moore Calm.

Be sure to check out this post for more beautiful bamboo roller blind inspiration!

Roller blinds and bamboo blinds are both very popular options these days.

Similarly, if you’re looking for great function with little to no need for maintenance, plantation shutters can be the perfect solution.

If you’re looking to stylishly block the light, these might be your best pick.

In terms of window treatments, plantation shutters (a personal favorite) are almost unmatched in the degree of sound and noise isolation they provide.

They also insulate your house during the hot and the cold months.

plantation shutters in our master bedroom – see more photos here

Take your time when choosing different window treatments.

One last thing, window treatments boast one final advantage.

A well-kept interior designers secret – window treatments can absolutely change the look of an entire space.

Either by balancing oddly placed or shaped windows or creating the illusion of width and making large rooms feel more intimate and cozy.

You can even hang window treatments on walls without windows for a dramatic look and to create the illusion of a window.

This will have a big impact as it will open up your space and make it feel much more inviting.

Be sure take the time to narrow down your choices.

When it comes to your window coverings, think about your space – the type of room and your primary needs can help you filter out certain products and materials.

You’ll also want to measure the size of the window frame and think about how they will open and close.

This is such an important thing to remember which a lot of people tend to overlook.

horizontal blinds in my son’s room – see more of this room as it now looks today and see what we added to dress up the windows a bit.

If you’re looking for even more inspiration, be sure to check out these other posts below:

Our Laundry Room Renovation:Before and After.

All About Wainscoting For Your Walls.

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee Paint Review.

Why You Should Paint Your Trim and Walls the Same Color.

Best Wall Paint Colors For Dark Wood Floors.

Benjamin Moore White Dove Paint Review

How to Paint Over Cultured Marble Bathtub Surrounds.

Last,  but not least…

Design lovers! Have you joined our fun and VERY helpful design Facebook group?

In this group – members share their own photos with specific design questions and dilemmas from their homes and spaces.

Everyone chimes in with their best advice!

We also spill our favorite design sources and tips – it’s SO great for hunting down hard to find items and pieces.

Lastly, to help you even further with your home projects, download my FREE DESIGN CHEAT SHEET!

SHOP THE BEST WINDOW TREATMENT OPTIONS HERE:

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