Window Decor: Some Sound Advice
Window Treatments
Selecting a window treatment provides you with an opportunity to make changes that can affect a room’s style, how you use the room, and your level of comfort.
When thinking about the role of a window treatment in a room, its important to consider a number of factors. Do you need to control sunlight and glare? Do you need to control the heat gain or loss in a room? Do you want to obscure an undesirable view or create privacy? Can you use the window treatment to enhance the architectural elements of the space? The right window treatment can make all the difference in the room and for a relatively affordable investment. In addition it can instantly update a rooms’ look in an otherwise plain room.
There are so many window treatments styles available to us today. There are roller shades, soft shades, blinds, shutters, fabric or soft treatments including drapes, cornices and valances, motorized shades and blinds. And many more believe it or not! And It can be overwhelming when you don’t understand what each is or their main use.
Design ‘n Style will work with a customer to proceed through and take the proper steps to figure out which would be the best treatment situation whether it be off the shelf, semi custom or custom treatments. Because light, heat and lifestyle conditions take such an important role in a space, it makes sense to select a style that is easily adjustable. For example, if you are sitting in a room reading with your back to the window that could work fine, but if you are watching tv in that same situation, the glare of the light will make it difficult to see the screen. A window treatment that can be lowered or fully closed will allow you to enjoy that natural light when you want or close it when you don’t. BUT, its not always that cut and dry.
Here are a few steps to in thinking about the type of treatment that would be most advantageous in a room:
1. Ventilation and air flow in a room - considering that sometimes you want the window open to let in air, it would be best to use a treatment style that can be opened and closed easlily. Otherwise, if you have draughty windows you would consider using an insulating curtain that can cut down on this heat loss or gain. This can also possibly help with your utility bills.
2. First Impressions - if you are standing in your foyer looking towards the dining room, the first thing you may notice is the windows. This is important to use the right treatment on these windows because they are the first impression people get of your home. You’d want something that will make an impact statement.
3. Views - are the views from particular windows something that you don’t want to hide? Or are you looking for privacy because at night your house is lit up and anyone walking or driving by can look right in. Adjustable treatments such as shades, curtains or blinds that open and close easily would be a good solution for this situation.
4. Home’s architecture - whatever style treatment you choose should enhance the architectural style inside and out. It should blend with the type of furniture and architecture; having traditional furnishings and then selecting a very contemporary style treatment would be awkward.
5. Decor - consider the room’s decor. Does it look tired, need to be updated, or unfinished? Sometimes you can have a room full of furniture and accessories, and it can still appear or feel unfinished without window dressings. Window treatments can put a fresh face on the room!
If you would like a professionals’ help with your window treatments, do some homework. Ask for referrals from co-workers, friends and family. Check out home fashion articles in local magazines and newspapers. Sometimes a retail establishment will recommend a professional. Search the internet for professionals too. Make an appointment with a few professionals to come in and show you previous work they have done. Ask for references - call and check them. A designer can help you come up with creative ways to use fabrics, how to mix textures in a room to pull the styles all together and can help you plan your window treatment in stages, if you’re on a budget. Decorating your windows in stages is a good and cost effective way to treat the windows.
Please call Design ‘n Style at 215-913-5214 for more information on how we can help you with proper window treatments for your home or visit our website at www.designnstyle.com.
