When you’re flipping through the pages of your favorite design magazine or even looking at model homes, what catches your eye first? Would it surprise you to know that most homeowners find their eyes drawn to creatively designed window treatments?
Why? Well, maybe it’s because most homeowners have a wide variety of window shapes, styles, and sizes to address when decorating their own homes. We’re always looking for fresh ideas…or maybe… we’re simply daunted by all the windows we’re dealing with and the myriad of choices available!
One of your first decisions is recognizing what you want to accomplish when you cover your windows. Some homeowners are adamant about not obstructing wonderful vistas, while others have an unsightly view they want to mask. In addition to whether you want to cover or enhance your view, basic light and privacy needs, sizes, shapes, and styles must be taken into consideration. If everything is carefully considered in creating a custom window treatment design, the finished product will be a window treatment that enhances not only a window but your entire room, while offering the necessary privacy and light control.
After determining what your window treatment will do, consider the theme or style of the room…casual, contemporary, traditional, or trendy. Once you’ve defined your style, think “out of the box” for hardware needs. For example, in a family room with a casual sports theme, consider using golf clubs or even pool cues as window treatment hardware. In a trendy or contemporary room, perhaps a high-tech, quasi-industrial look of cable wires for drapery hardware will dramatically enhance your design.
In some instances, you may even choose to create a window where one doesn’t currently exist, such as an underground basement room. By installing shutters or a closed fabric window treatment, you can immediately create the feeling of being connected to the outdoors!
So here is a quick checklist to help you determine the best possible window treatments for your home.
1. Function. How is the window being used? Do you need to block outdoor light? Is privacy your priority? Or, do you have a beautiful view that needs capturing?
2. Focal points. Are your windows a natural dramatic architectural feature of your room? If so, you have a built-in focal point, and should plan your treatments accordingly. If not, then consider working with a professional decorator to make your window treatments true show stoppers!
3. Style. What’s yours? Casual? Formal? Traditional? Contemporary? Window treatment designs vary greatly by design style, so think about the ultimate style and feeling you’d like to incorporate into their design.
4. Problems? Are your windows too small? Too large? A carefully designed window treatment can actually be a clever cover-up to any window problem.
Because there are so many fabulous window treatment design options available today, it’s wise to start doing your homework early. Visit model homes, read magazines…start developing your own Window Design Idea File!
And remember, by working with a professional decorator, you’re window treatments are guaranteed to be the perfect design and function solution!
