World of Window Treatments

As we discovered last week, the world of window treatments is large and the options are many. So welcome back as we take a closer look at some of the considerations necessary to make good, solid decisions when to comes to addressing your widow covering needs.

Whether we realize it or not, our comfort level is seriously impacted by the windows that surround us. Light control, privacy and energy efficiency are all ways that we are affected and each room and window will have their own specific issues, needs and requirements.

How do you want your window coverings to function for you? Below are some of the primary considerations to address when determining your needs.

Is light excessive or insufficient - cool north light or blazing western sun?
Are fabrics and surface materials in danger of fading or disintegration?
Will the function of the window affect the type of treatment possible?
What about furniture placement? Does your sofa get in the way of traversing draperies?
Do you have a gorgeous view that you want to frame? Or an undesirable view you would like to eliminate?
Is choosing energy efficient window coverings, that help with the utility bills, a priority?
Is privacy required?
Even if window coverings are not an issue during the day, do those big black openings leave you feeling exposed at night?
Do you have a live room? Large open rooms with hard surface materials like granite, tile and hardwood will bounce sound around creating an echo. Layering fabric on the windows will help to greatly diminish this.

Not only do our window treatments have an impact on our comfort level but they can greatly influence the look of a room. Depending on the style type and the fabric chosen, a window treatment can really pull a room together. It can incorporate different colours from the room’s colour scheme, or repeat a pattern or fabric from a pillow or chair. The correct window treatment can quietly complete a room or can make the whole room sing, becoming the focal point.

Window treatments fall into two broad categories…hard and soft. When we talk about soft window treatments we are usually talking about draperies, curtains, fabric panels cellular shades, and fabric shades such as a roman shade. Depending on your decorating style we are seeing all sorts of gorgeous fabrics and virtually every type heading style. If your space is contemporary, the use of fabrics like ultra suede, wool gabardine and tweeds coupled with extra large grommets for the heading style and a sleek roller blind will create a great multi-functional treatment. If you are looking to introduce an exciting design element with a true contemporary edge, you might want to consider the new folding panel systems from Silent Gliss. The panels open into varying degrees of visibility and then simply stack back to the side. If traditional is the word that would best describe your decorating style, pinch-pleat and inverted pleat draperies are back. Both styles look amazing in silk, and pair nicely with roman shades in a complimentary fabric.

Hard window treatments include venetian blinds, miniblinds, vertical louvered blinds, wood blinds, woven wood blinds or shutters. All of which can be used alone, have infinite choices available and can usually address many of your functional requirements. To achieve a beautiful and functional solution, layering both hard and soft treatments is often the answer.

As with most things in life, good quality treatments are an investment and it makes sense to do the extra research required to weigh the facts. If you do, your results will be a window treatment that enhances your room, adding comfort, style and above all…..value.