Window Treatment Designs that Set a Tone

EYES are often said to be windows into someone’s soul – and this works with rooms too.

The windows in a room often set the tone and character for the room itself and how it is used and enjoyed, whether it is the intimacy of a bedroom, the joy of a family room or the efficiency of an office.

And with so many exciting and vibrant ways to treat and dress your windows, there are a myriad of options to get the exact tone you want set in place for every room in your home.

Window dressings serve two key purposes – function and form. Both need to be considered to get things just right for your room’s tone.

On the practical – functional – level, you should consider what you need from your window coverage. Is it to screen light out, maintain privacy, add insulation and cut drafts, for example?

Are they large feature windows or small nooks? What do they overlook outside? Are your coverings for keeping outside, well, outside? Or to frame the view and welcome it into the room?

These questions will help you select the best types of dressing for your practical and functional needs.

Then you get to enjoy selecting colors and materials for the form side of the equation – making the dressings match the soul of the room you want to enjoy.

Practical Considerations

Assess the windows in your room for the issues you need to take into account when selecting your window treatments.

·       Light – which way does your window face? Northern windows do not need to screen sun as much due to the lower levels of natural light as they rarely face direct sunlight. Other compass points will receive the sun’s glare at different times of day, and screening could be an important factor in reducing the impact of the sun’s rays from reducing room temperature to extending the life of fabric colors by diminishing fading. The time of day you tend to use the room the most will also be a factor to consider.

·       Energy – as we become more focused on sustainability and keeping fuel bills low, your choice of window treatment can have a surprising impact on your utility usage. Windows are a weak point in home insulation and can lead to heavy heat loss in the winter and let in too much heat in the summer, causing your heating and air conditioning to be put to a high use. Treatments can cut drafts and insulate the room, cutting back ion extreme temperature swings.

·       Privacy – how far away are your neighbors? Windows are two-way – if you can see out, someone else can look in. Your needs for privacy will be reflected in your choice of window dressing.

·       Views - does your view overlook beautiful lawns, gardens and trees or a parking lot and dumpsters? Do you want to welcome the view into the room or screen it out of sight and concentrate on the beauty of the materials you chose instead?

·       Room Use – what is the space used for in your home? A kitchen needs a more practical and functional dressing than a sitting rom where comfort and aesthetics may take center stage. Bedrooms need to reflect comfort, privacy and safety and bathrooms cleanliness and complete privacy. Home offices need to be functional, efficient and practical so smart is the order of the day.

By considering these points, you help narrow down the wide variety of types of treatment to those that will best fit the tone of the room so you can enjoy it for what it is supposed to serve you for.