Tips on choosing window treatments
I remember when I was a child and every house in England had net curtains and curtains in their window. The grander houses had swags and tails, we have come a long way since then with the different trends and ways to dress your windows. This article will inspire and help you to decide what exactly you should choose for your home. There are many factors to consider when choosing the correct design. I would like to share my thoughts on how I decide what the room needs and how to enhance the beauty of the room and most importantly the function and solutions.
I like to stand back in the room and think about all the factors of the window we are thinking to treat.
1.Can people see in from outside and do you want to block out nosey onlookers?
2. If nobody can see in would you like to leave the window with or without treatment?
3. Do you need to block out the sun or noise?
4. Does the room get cold and need energy-saving treatments that can help to keep the warmth in your room?
5. Do you have young children, if so safety needs to be considered as cords, and ropes used in some curtains and blinds can be a danger to young children.
6. What is the style of the room and the color scheme?
7. What shape are the windows?
8. Would the room suit a simple design or something fancier?
Once you have thought carefully through these questions you can start to narrow down what you need and what treatment will suit the windows best. I will go through the different window treatments and what would be most suitable for the different solutions.
Blinds are my personal favorite as they make a clean simple look that is up to date and functionally do the job. There are many different designs and if you are willing to invest can be made cordless with a remote to open and close them. They are great as a sun blocker and can still let in partial light. Great for all sizes and shapes of windows. Here are some of the trend shades that are in at the moment.
Venetian blind made from wood
Safety cleats must be installed to keep cords out of reach of children and pets.
Cellular blinds
Also known as honeycomb blinds are built up of cell shapes that trap air inside. This blocks or filters light into the room and also insulates the room saving energy. They give a simple, clean stylish look and they don't need a cord. They can be operated with a motorized system or manually. Cellular blinds can be used alone or accompanied by curtains. I do love these blinds and have them in my home, the only downside is they are not as resistant to wear and tear if they are pulled too heavily up and down.
Roman blinds
These blinds have been around for a long time however are still one of the most stylish in interior décor. They are made with a cord to pull the blinds up and down. They are a great way to block out light but don’t tend to filter light as they are made from fabric and normally have a fabric backing too. They can be hung in or outside the window frame. For the safety of children and pets, a cleat must be installed to keep the cord out of reach.
Wooden Shutters
Wooden shutters give a nautical look and are a great way to completely shut out light and even noise. The look is quite hard and depending on your style can make the room look inviting when designing the interior of your room. They can be painted in many colors to brighten the room.
Curtains
Curtains give the room many solutions, they give you privacy, block out light, and keep the room warmer saving energy. They also add style to the room. However choosing the right curtains, measuring them, and hanging them are not so easy so I will share my interior design tips to make it easy for you.
When choosing curtains think of these factors first.
1. Depending on whether anyone can see into my room, would it be better to have curtains or blinds or both?
2. Do I want curtains to keep the room warmer?
3. Do I want the curtains to make the room look aesthetically better and if so what style is the room and color scheme?
4. What is my budget would I be able to afford tailor-made rather than ready-made?
5.How am I going to hang them? Think about the pole or track system. When you have decided on the option, then measure where the pole or track is fitted.
6.What length do I want the curtains to hang? Curtains hung full length look more stylish and keep the room warmer when closed at night. If you decide full length then how do you want them to hang, as they could be a couple of mm off the floor so they look uniform and also won’t get dirty. They could be just brushing the floor or pooling the floor so they add drama to the room. My preference for the length of curtains is for them to look uniform so a couple of mm of the ground is perfect, also I like to add blinds to give more function to the room.
Different Curtain headings
Voiles & Voile Panels
Voiles are an excellent way to let light into your room and at the same time keep the privacy of the room and allowing you to see out of the window. The downside is when the lights are on in the evening you will not have privacy so they are best accompanied with curtains to cover them. They are the modern version of the traditional net curtain. They come in many colors and some with patterns. The panels are a more modern look and can be placed on tracks to slide in different layers.
