Window Treatments
Invite light & beauty into your room with window treatments!
Nothing makes a bigger difference to a room’s décor than natural light, and nothing gives you more control over natural light than the window treatments you select. So it’s important to choose your window treatments carefully. With so many options available today, it’s easy to get confused…so here’s a quick guide to help you sort them all out:
- Horizontal blinds: Made of wood, alternative wood, aluminum or other materials, these blinds hang in a horizontal direction and give you a great deal of control over light and privacy. Horizontal blinds are usually sturdy and easy to maintain, although they typically don’t provide much style unless topped with a valance or other type of window treatment.
- Vertical blinds: Made of vinyl, wood, aluminum or reinforced fabric, these blinds hang vertically with overlapping panels for light control, and can be drawn to one side of the window for an unobstructed view. Vertical blinds can stand alone or, for more style, be topped with another window treatment, such as a scarf or cornice box.
- Cellular shades: Also known as "honeycomb" shades, these are made of paper or fabric joined together to create a honeycomb profile that blocks light and adds insulation. Cellular shades can be custom fit for any size or shape of window, and are available in several different opening methods, including motorized and pull-from-bottom options.
- Roller shades: Made of vinyl, canvas or bonded fabric, roller shades can block some – or all – outdoor light, depending on the level of light and privacy desired. When open, these shades are wrapped onto a spring-loaded roller at the top of the window for an open, unobstructed view.
- Shutters: Made of wood or vinyl in a wide variety of styles and colors, shutters feature moveable louvers ranging from 1¼" to 4½" in width, enabling you to fine-tune the amount of light and privacy desired. When not in use, most shutters can be opened to the sides of the window. Shutters give any room an old-fashioned, cottage-like appearance. They are energy efficient and compliment any room and style.
A window of opportunity!
Window treatments offer a world of possibilities for your home, ranging from completely functional to purely decorative and everything in between. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind as you shop for window treatments…
- Privacy: Ultimately, window treatments should enable you to enjoy privacy in your home, without being seen by outside eyes. If your neighbor’s kitchen window looks directly into your bathroom, you’ll want privacy. Likewise, if your living room looks out onto a busy sidewalk. To achieve maximum privacy, look for window treatments that offer complete opaque covering. This is a common feature of many roller shades, cellular shades, miniblinds and shutters.
- Light control: Proper natural lighting is a key component of a room’s décor, but sunlight is also problematic. Bright light creates glare, making it difficult to watch TV or sleep near a window. And sunlight brings UV rays into your home, adversely affecting everything from fabrics to furnishings, carpet to artwork. To gain control over the amount and intensity of the light entering your home, any of the window treatments mentioned in the "Privacy" section above can help. But since UV rays will eventually damage window coverings, it can be helpful to use a non-fabric shade next to the glass, behind expensive blinds, shades or shutters. Also look for light-blocking roller shades or linings for fabric shades, metal or wood blinds that can be tilted to deflect sunlight, and natural blinds such as bamboo that filter the light and can be ordered with an exterior privacy lining.
- Function: Even the finest window treatments are useless if they don’t meet your functional needs. If you have a crib, you’ll want cord controls that are well beyond your baby’s reach. If you have a toddler, you may want light-blocking shades to help with naptime. The window treatments of any home with children should feature breakaway and safety window cord options to prevent a possible tragedy. If you have pets, look for blinds or shades that stay up off the floor. And if you have unusual lighting or privacy needs, consider top-down/bottom-up shades that let you control the height of your blinds from either direction.
- Style: This is the fun part of selecting your window treatments, as you choose fabrics, materials, colors, textures and patterns that complement your unique taste and personality. Try repeating a fabric or color used in other parts of your home, or try the opposite – selecting a border or fringe in a contrasting fabric or color. Choose your window treatment from the wide range of alternatives available, and let your creativity shine as you select the perfect solution for your own sense of privacy, light control, function and style!