The Ultimate Guide to Window Treatments | Blinds Couture

By definition, window treatments are any coverings or modifications made to a window for the purpose of either enhancing its overall look or increasing certain functionality (privacy, light control, etc). There are two main categories of window treatments which are hard window treatments and soft window treatments.

Hard window treatments are those that are made of hard materials such as wood or vinyl. Some examples of hard window treatments are blinds, shades, and shutters.

On the other hand, soft window treatments are those made of soft materials including fabric and textiles. Curtains, drapes, sheers, valances, and roman shades are common examples of soft window treatments.

When it comes to picking a window treatment for the windows of any room, things can easily get overwhelming when one does not know where to start or what to look for. So here's a small guide to help you learn more about window treatments and how to pick the best ones for your house needs.

Window treatment options

As mentioned earlier, there are various window treatment options that can be divided into two main categories. However, each one of these options offers certain functionalities and properties that are unique to them. Some window treatments favorited by design consultants include:

Blinds: These window treatment options are generally affordable and some of the most common ones. Blinds are made of an arrangement of plastic or woods in slats or vanes and can either be mounted inside or outside a window.

Shades: Shades, though as common as blinds, are simply a continuous roll of fabric that pulls up and down by either a cord, spring or cordless. Shades are available in various levels of opacity for light preferences.

Shutters: Window shutters are a special type of treatment that consists of slats of wood set into a frame. However, within the frame, there could be louvers, glass, solid panels, or even fabric. There are interior and outdoor shutters that can be custom made to fit a window.

Curtains: Curtains are a type of soft window treatment that is made of fabric and is typically sold in pairs. They often hang on a rod and come in various lengths, widths, colors, patterns, and styles. Curtain options are pretty much endless.

Drapes: Just like curtains, drapes are fabric panels that exist in a variety of styles and options. However, their fabric is often heavier and thicker than those of curtains which gives them the ability to block out more light.

Functionality

What needs or purposes will your window treatment be fulfilling? The answer to this question is probably one of the most important things to keep in mind when shopping.

Aesthetic: By shopping for window treatment options that will complement the overall look or vibe of your home, you'll be creating a space that is truly unique and reflective of your style. So whether your home design style is modern, traditional, rustic, contemporary, or even minimalistic, be sure to look for options that enhance the styles to create more harmony. For extra personalization, you can order custom made window treatments to make sure they fit your design needs.

Privacy: Certains rooms, such as bedrooms and bathrooms, necessitate increased privacy so it is crucial to shop for options that allow you to get the most of the feature.

Light control: It would be a loss to invest in a beautiful custom window treatment, only to see that it does not provide enough light control. With this particular feature, you'd be able to fully control the amount of light that enters a room; thus reducing temperature fluctuations and optimizing visibility.

Window Location

The location of the windows you are planning to work on is another important factor. The reason for this is that every room has specific needs that can only be fulfilled by certain types of window treatments.

Kitchen: Because kitchens are spaces where there is a high risk of spillage as well as temperature fluctuations, the best window treatment options are those that combine easy maintenance, durability, and light control. Some great options are faux wood blinds and shutters, cellular shades, and roman shades.

Bathroom: The moisture and mildew that can easily build up in bathrooms due to a high level of humidity require a window treatment option that is moisture and stain-resistant, durable, and offers light filtering options for increased privacy. Faux wood window blinds, shades , and vinyl shutters are recognized as some of the best options for bathrooms.

Living room: Solar shades, whether dark or light, are many interior designers' go-to when it comes to picking a window treatment option for living rooms. This is because they provide light filtering options that will help protect you from direct sunlight and heat, while also optimizing your view.

Dining room: For a dining room that expresses both warmth and elegance, roman shades, woven roller shades, and louvered shutters are great ideas. Other ones include modern draperies and cellular or pleated drapes. Any of these options can enhance the look of your dining room or add more privacy and light control.

Bedroom: For many people, the bedroom is a sanctuary which calls for light and temperature control as well as increased privacy. Curtains and drapes offer a variety of choices to enhance the style and aesthetic of any bedroom or space. With blackout curtains, one can better control temperatures and the amount of light that enters the room. Additionally, a combination of wooden blinds and curtains or other layered options will improve the room's look and provide other benefits.

One final thing to do before picking a window treatment option is to verify the measurement of the windows. By doing this, you'll know what length and size of blinds or drapes to get; thus saving you both time and money.

There are indeed many things to check when shopping for window treatments. While it might seem overwhelming at first, it is all a simple matter of organization and research. Once that's done, all that is needed is to ask Google: where to find custom made drapes near me?