Choosing Window Treatments - How to Make the Right Choices!

How to Choose Window Treatments – Tips for Making the Right Choices for Your Home!

Here are some tips and tricks for choosing the right window treatments for each room of your home.

Unless you live on a private island without any other homes, the windows in your home are going to need some kind of window treatment to ensure you the privacy you need.

The key to choosing window treatments for your home is in balancing your need for natural light with your need for privacy in every room of your home.

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Tips for Choosing Window Treatments for Your Home

There are 5 basic types of window treatments that work well in every type of home and they include:

Shades
Blinds
Curtains (Here are the different types of curtains)
Drapes
Shutters

Which type of window treatment or treatments you choose will depend on many different things including the size of your windows, your room’s decor, your need for privacy during various parts of the day and how close the homes that are surrounding your home may be.

Homes with Small Windows

Small windows in homes simply can bear the variety of window treatments that larger windows can, since some window treatments will dwarf a small window or cut off way too much light.

Your Room’s Decor

The decor of the rest of your room and your home in general is going to affect the type of window treatments you choose. A rustic cabin in the woods won’t look good with silk curtains or drapes with ruffles or flounces.

A a modern apartment or home simply won’t look it’s best with gingham curtains at all the windows.

Day Time Privacy

If you work nights or have a young child that is still at the napping stage you are going to want and need to block out light during the middle of the day.

When choosing your window treatments take in consideration your need for both light and darkness and privacy.

Closeness of Other Buildings

If you live in an area where the homes are good distance apart your window treatments can be lighter and allow in more light because you normally won’t have passersby gaping in your windows.

If you live in an area where the homes are close together you are going to want a window treatment that allows you to let in light while still keeping your interior safe from prying eyes.

Window Treatment Tips and Suggestions For Various Rooms of Your Home

Different rooms of your home need different window treatments so here is a look at the types of different window treatments are ideal for each individual room.

Kitchen

Your kitchen is one of the most used rooms in your home and a room that most people want to be flooded with a lot of natural light.

There are various types of window treatments that work well in most kitchens. Roman shades, cafe shutters or valances can all work extremely well.

Tier Semi Sheer Kitchen Cafe Curtains Half Window Treatments 2 Panels NICETOWN Blackout Window Valance for Kitchen 1 Panel

However, if your kitchen windows are near the stove, sink or food preparation areas you are going to want to choose to choose a window treatment that is made from material that is easy to wipe down and clean.

Dining Room

Your dining room is one of those rooms in your home when you may want to have a great deal of sunlight pouring in on some occasions, and on then switch to a less lighted more romantic space on other occasions.

If your home has a more formal dining area with a large window or two then go with a layered look that includes both shades and curtains.

Hang shades such as cellular shades that allows in a good deal of light even when lowered over the window inside the window frames and then hang interesting patterned curtains on the outside of the frames.

Windowsandgarden Custom Cordless Single Cell Shades, 24W x 37H, Daylight, Any Size 21-72 Wide and 24-72 High Achim Home Furnishings Top-Down Cordless Honeycomb Cellular Pleated Shade, 35 by 64

You can also choose to hang semi-sheer curtains at your dining room window. For a really special look choose to colors of sheer curtains and alternate hanging them to create a type of stripe effect.

Living Room

Your living room serves different functions on different occasions. It is the place where the family gathers to relax, watch television, read or just chill.

It is also the central location where you entertain guests you invite into your home.

So the window treatments in your home needs to be able to provide with both privacy and look elegant for the moments of entertaining.

Here are some types of window treatments that work well with the versatility of your living room:

Wood or Faux Wood Blinds or Shutters

Wood or wood looking blinds or shutters are great for setting off your wood work or wooden floors.

Blinds Emporium Golden Oak 2 White Premium Faux Wood Blind

Roman Shades

Roman shades can add a touch of sophistication to your living room since these blinds are made from various materials that can add color, texture and sophistication to your living room decor.

Chicology Cordless Magnetic Roman Shades RADIANCE 2208854E Cordless Roman Shade, 30 Cordless Woven Wood Roman Shades

Sheer shades allows you to let a lot of light in your living room while still ensuring you and your family the privacy you may want.

Foiresoft Custom Cut to Size, White Dual Layer Sheer Shades Achim Home Furnishings Cordless Celestial Sheer Double Layered Shade, 36 by 72

Pleated Draperies

combining pleated draperies with sheer shades can create a more formal layered look. You can choose solid or patterned draperies depending on which will best match your living room decor.

Magic Drapes Home décor Double Pinch Pleated Blackout Window Drapes ChadMade Rural Pastoral Print Window Pinch Pleated Blackout Lining Drapes

Adult Bedroom

As an adult that works hard, your bedroom should be the place where you can relax both during the day time and at night.

You want to be able to be let lots of sunshine in during the day and be able to block out light during the night when you are trying to sleep.

If you want your bedroom to take on a luxurious romantic feel then try using silk drapery panels with a remote controlled window blind underneath that will allow in light, while still ensuring privacy.

TWOPAGES Pinch Pleat Faux Silk Blackout Curtains Drapery for Living Room, Bedroom Flamingo P Blackout Curtain Set, Pure White Thermal Insulated Window Drapery

For a more sophisticated, but relaxed look try topping your blind with a colorful valance that matches your bedroom decor.

If you need to block out light in your bedroom during the daylight hours then why not choose elegant shutters.

That way you can open them and flood your room with sunlight or close them if you need to sleep during the day.

Kid’s Bedroom

Window treatments for a kid’s bedroom need to be vibrant and colorful. Blinds are the simplest way to add a colorful window treatment to a younger child’s room.

Once your child starts to really mature, then you can change to curtains and work up to more adult window treatments.

NICETOWN Kids Bedroom Curtains BGment Kids Bedroom Blackout Curtains

The Bathroom

The bathroom is the one room in your home where you definitely need both light and privacy.

Since bathrooms also tend to retain moisture, you will need to choose window treatments that are moisture resistant or can dry quickly.

Honeycomb shades are perfect for maintaining privacy while still allowing light to filter in. Choosing a honeycomb made our vinyl or some mildew resistant material is your best choice.

NANAN Tier, Waffle Weave Textured Short Curtains for Bathroom Waterproof Valea Home Water Repellent Tailored Tier Pair Curtains for Bathroom

What to Consider When Selecting Window Treatments

You should choose the thickness of the fabric based on the amount of light you want to enter the space.
Semi-sheer and sheer curtains are perfect for areas where you don’t feel that you need much privacy.
Cellular shades are done in a honeycomb and adds insulation keeping heat out in the summer and cold out in the winter. They come in both light filtering and blackout.
Draperies come in a wide variety of materials and colors and give rooms a more sophisticated look
Blackout curtains have a lining that blacks out light. (Learn more about thermal vs blackout curtains.)
Roller shades come in various styles and materials. Choose one with perforations that allows a lot of light to filter through.
If you are layering window treatments it works best to layer drapers or curtains over blinds.