How to Select Window Treatments

Up on the blog this week it's all about window treatments!   With such a wide array of available styles and materials, window treatments are an ideal way to inject color and elevate the interior design of your space. They’re also practical, giving you a way to control the light, heat and privacy in each room. This post explains different types of window treatments – from window blinds and shades to drapes and sheers – so you can choose the window treatments that create your ideal home here in Philadelphia and beyond.

STYLES

When selecting window treatments, the first thing to do is consider the ambiance you want to create in the room. Window treatments range from classic, traditional pleated drapes to contemporary blinds and shades, making them a simple way to transform a room and add personality. The way a window is covered – or not – helps establish the interior design tone. Long drapes made from rich velvet add drama to a formal room. Roman shades with bold geometric prints and colors give a room a contemporary flair. Basic wood blinds topped with valances create a polished backdrop.

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CURTAINS AND DRAPES

Versatile curtains and drapes are classic treatments that work in both casual and formal rooms. Rod-pocket drape panels hang from a rod inserted through the channel at the top of the curtain. The combination of lush fabric with a substantial rod looks elegant in a formal room, while lightweight fabric softens the space it’s in. Tab-top curtains that keep the rod visible work well in informal rooms, while drapes with visible pleats sewn into the panels’ tops are of the traditional style. The design works with rings and rods or a corded pulley system. Blackout fabric on the back of a panel helps block light in bedrooms and provides privacy.

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VALANCES AND CORNICES

Short and sweet, valances and cornices add decorative interest to any window but work especially well as kitchen window treatments. A valance is a sheet of fabric stretched across the top of the window. Simple valances made from cotton fabric and a basic rod bring a burst of color to casual rooms, while tailored valances with crisp pleats relax a formal room. Cornices are valances made from wood and painted or covered with fabric or wallpaper. Mounted to the wall, cornices are well-suited for rooms without architectural details like crown molding. Both valances and cornices pair well with sheers, curtains or shades for privacy.

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SHADES

Simple and elegant, shades cover windows from top to bottom when closed to provide privacy and color. When used with curtains, valances or cornices, shades blend form and function in both casual and formal rooms.

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Billowy balloon shades form folds along their bases when open, framing the window with a romantic look. Tie-up shades – also called stagecoach shades – incorporate ribbons or strips of fabric into the design to hold the shades open.

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Roman shades bring a tailored look into the room and are an excellent way to add color and texture in traditional, bold and contemporary spaces. A closed Roman shade lies flat against the window, showing off the pattern of the fabric and a pop of color. As it’s opened, the shade fabric stacks evenly, creating a billow effect at the top of a window.  They work in any room but look best above a sink or a tub. 

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Roller shades are a great way to get the "no window treatment look".  They roll up out of the way with the pull of a cord or a corded lift system and give the window a clean, modern appearance that blends well with almost any design style, depending on the fabric you select.  Great for all rooms.

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Woven Wood Shades are a neutral window covering that adds warmth and looks great with any style. We use them in all types of spaces, and often layer them with pretty drapes to create a more thoughtful, luxe look. Don't forget to have them lined if you need privacy; if they are left unlined they will be somewhat sheer.  Versatile for any room;  creates a relaxed look.

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SHEERS

Sheers and lace curtains are airy and allow plenty of light through, making them ideal for rooms where you want softened sunlight. These fabrics provide limited privacy and work best in kitchens or in combination with heavier fabrics or shades. Sheers work best as the second layer in double layer treatments.

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BLINDS

Blinds are crafted with slats of metal, wood or other material, and are classic window treatments that provide excellent control of privacy and light levels in the room. Wood blinds – and faux wood – bring an organic feel to the room, while metal blinds add an industrial touch. Aluminum mini-blinds are an affordable option for laundry rooms and garages. Vertical blinds that stack to the left or right of the window work well spanning sliding doors. Regardless of the blind type, pair with drapes and valances to add color and sophistication.

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MATERIALS

Choosing the best fabric for window treatments is important; the weight and texture of the fabric affect the amount of light that shines through and how well it holds up to sun exposure. Linen, canvas and damask are durable fabrics that drape luxuriously. Calico and gingham fabrics work well in casual rooms, while silk and velvet fit in with formal spaces. Tapestry and toile fabrics with elaborate designs add texture and design interest.

FUNCTIONALITY

Window treatments also meet practical needs, especially when combined. Curtains or shades lined with blackout fabric fully block light from the outside, making them an ideal way to create a cozy bedroom. Shades pulled down and paired with drapes or curtains block all angles of the windows to provide maximum privacy at night. Sheers allow plenty of light into a room, reducing the need for lamps during the day and making them a sound option for living rooms, family rooms and patios.

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I hope that you enjoyed reading these tips for selecting window treatments in your home in Philadelphia, the main line and the Tri-State area.  The biggest take away should be to relax and have fun with it.  If you are stuck, please reach out and I will send you a list of sources to check out!  In addition, let's get social.  Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and connect on LinkedIn! Each day I will post follow up thoughts from the latest blog post to give you more inspiration.  AND, please leave me a comment below and let me know what you thought of this post!

In addition to being a Philadelphia residential Interior Designer,  I also design boutique hotels, fitness centers, office spaces, multi family development projects, other commercial spaces such as office and retail spaces, and the senior living community throughout the tri state area.  We work here in Philadelphia, the main line, and even Nationally!