Have you been shopping for window coverings for your home and been confused by all the choices?
Are you currently living in a fish bowl with your daily/nightly activities being in display for your new neighbors?
Are the windows of your new home adorned with paper temporary shades, sheets or worst of all, tin foil? (I truly hope none of you answer yes to the tin foil).
If you answered yes to any of these questions (but hopefully not the tin foil question), read on...
Window Coverings 101: Functionality First
Even though window coverings are decorative, it is the function of the window covering which should be your first consideration. You can have a beautiful window covering, but if it doesn't fit the function of the window, you won't be pleased. As you begin this process, bear in mind these aspects of window coverings:
Privacy
Consider safety and security first. Also, keep in mind that your privacy needs might change from room to room.
Orientation of the window
Window coverings that take into consideration the room's orientation will result in significant savings in your cooling bill and will extend the life of your furniture and carpet.
Light control
Some types of window coverings simply raise up and down (as seen with a Roman shade). You can raise or lower a shade to any level you want, but you can't really control the light. If light control is the issue, you would want to select a product that has a vane, slat or louver that you can tilt.
Budget
Prices can range from $20 per linear foot to well over $200 per linear foot. You want the window covering you choose to fit your budget, as well as the style and price range of your home. For instance, you wouldn't want to install 1" mini-blinds in a $450,000 home, nor would you want to invest in custom wood plantation shutters for a $90,000 rental property.
Once you've recognized the functional aspects of covering your windows, you get to work on the fun part - decorative style. (Unless, of course, you're an engineer, then you probably liked the "function" part of this article best.)
Personal Style
You will generally have a gut feeling about the type of room you want to create, before you even decide on color schemes or style. Is it formal or casual, classic or retro? Once you have a feeling about how you want this room to look, you will have a vision.
For inspiration, look to decorating magazines, surf the web for photos, visit home improvement stores or contact us to help guide you through the myriad of options available to you.
Interior design trends are heading toward simplicity in window fashions, with clients bringing down the poufy chintz drapes and replacing them with window treatments that have a more contemporary look. This means people are exploring the use of different materials in their window coverings.
At Staging Works Wonders, we are seeing clients move away from elaborate custom draperies and toward a layered look of simpler styles, such as woven wood shades topped by a simple valance or 2" wood blinds or wood shutters flanked with side panels. Creativity with textures is an important element in the look for 2010, and doesn't necessarily interfere with a room's color scheme. Multiple textures within the room add interest without adding color, a trend we will continue to see in home décor and interior designs for years to come!
