All About Window Treatments ~ How To Choose Which One Is Best For Your Needs

Are you decorating a new home together and looking for the right window coverings for your style. But don’t know where to start. Or possibly you are simply seeking some new window treatments for an existing home.

In this post I will cover a few window treatment options. Along with what you will need to consider for budgeting in this area of home decorating. If you have been following along on my Secrets of a Model Home posts you will notice that I mention this subject quite often. As new homes do not typically come with window covering options.

Therefore I thought it would be helpful to cover this subject more thoroughly. Here we will take a look at both inspiring and practical solutions. Plus what works best with the various styles. The main treatment options we will cover are Custom Curtains, Ready Made Curtain Panels, Roman Shades, Shutters and Blinds.

Custom Draperies

Most Design Oriented Option

Custom draperies are one of my favorite options for window coverings. They can really add a lot of punch to your design scheme, as shown in the above photo. I truly feel that they finish off the room. As well as providing the following bonuses

• They have a room softening effect
• Help with sound and acoustics
• Add an exciting new design element
• Can achieve greater length for taller spaces
• Give the room a more luxurious feel

With this I would choose a company that has a wide assortment of fabrics and prints. You can opt for a plain unlined panel or add a fade resistant or room darkening lining. Panels can come in a variety of different styles such as pinch pleat, inverted pleat, tailored or goblet and more. Simpler ones are best and most likely to hold their style.

Hardware, such as the pole, brackets and finials would also need to be purchased. And if you choose a fabric with a noticeable pattern this will have a repeat. Meaning that you will need to order extra fabric so that you can match up the patterns whilst creating the panels. Also it should be noted that the wait time for custom can be around 4-6 weeks. So it is best to plan ahead to avoid empty windows.

All in all a large window with full length curtains could start around $4,000 depending on fabric and hardware choices. Yes, this is a costly option. But keep in mind that you could decorate your larger window areas such as sliding doors or french doors with draperies and use less expensive coordinating shades on the windows.

My favorite company for inspiring curtains is Sanderson. There is also Calico Corners, Smith & Noble, Carole Fabrics.

Draperies work best on larger windows and sliding doors or patio doors. They can also be used as a room divider. For example if your bathroom does not have a door (as some new builds don’t) you can add a drapery or curtain.

Ready Made Curtain Panels

Most Budget Friendly Option

Ready made curtain panels are definitely not as full and luxurious looking as custom. However, they are an easy and quicker option. You will still need to purchase the curtain rods, brackets and finials and have them installed unless you know a handy man about the house.

Typically these only come in flat panels with grommets, tab tops or plain for ring clips. These are somewhat lacking in exciting pattern and color. However, you should be able to find a basic neutral color that will fit the bill. Mind you, unless these have a blackout lining these will not keep out bright light and will likely convey visible indoor shadows at night from the outside.

Tip: If you want more window coverage from a less expensive unlined option you may need to double up on the panels so when you close them they are not completely flat.

Panels are available from a wide variety of sources. Such as Bed, Bath & Beyond for some basic neutrals, Pottery Barn for casual, West Elm and Crate & Barrel for a more modern look and World Market for global. You’ll find most home decor resources have panels that reflect their unique style. The upside of ready made curtains is there is no wait time. And if you plan accordingly, measure windows and are able to purchase all necessary items. It is possible to have all your window treatments up and working in one day. Provided you have that handy man around.

These tend to be much lighter materials than draperies and are fine for light window coverage and patio doors.

Hint: It is a good thing to have a steamer handy as these will be wrinkled and need smoothing out.

Shutters

Most Practical Option

Shutters are an unobtrusive, easy and sophisticated choice. They are versatile and contain the following positives:

• You can close the slats for privacy and darkness
• Or tilt them while open to diffuse light
• Or tilt them a certain angle for privacy
• And when closed they can repel both heat and cold.

These come in a variety of neutral colors. And I strongly suggest purchasing a polysatin or a hybrid (which is wood plus man made material) version. As, surprisingly, solid wood does not hold up as well and is prone to warping, fading and cracking among other things. The polysatin style of shutter (which is the Palm Beach style for Hunter Douglas) are certainly the most popular options (as shown above).

Price wise and depending on materials chosen and size of window these can run about $500 a window and upwards. And don’t forget there will also be a cost to have these installed. The installation fee can run anywhere form $100 per window and up. This is typically not included in the price of the shutter. Plus as these are typically custom fit to your window, which means they are custom made. And will take between 2-6 weeks before available.

A good resource for shutters is Hunter Douglas. It should be noted that they have a low end brand which is Levelor (to be found at Lowe’s Home Improvement). A medium end brand called Alta Window Fashions and the higher end brand which is Hunter Douglas. For both Hunter Douglas and Alta you would need to speak with a local representative.

Style Match ~ Contemporary, Coastal, Traditional, Modern, Country

Tip: As someone who has sold window coverings before I would strongly suggest not traveling down the cheapest route. Though it may be tempting. Window treatments are a major part of your design scheme, and there are typically several windows in every room. I would not toss up some inexpensive metal blinds and call it a day. Also, lower cost items typically do not wear as well and may have less of a warranty (be sure to read the fine print).

Roman Shades

Most Decorative Option

This is another window treatment that is one of my favorites. Most especially if you use some fun designer fabric that complements your entire design scheme. Positive aspects are:

• These shades can offer diffused light when a lighter shade of material is chosen (as shown above)
• Or can be completely light blocking with heavier fabric or a backing
• They can come as a top down bottom up style for privacy
• Lend a colorful designer appeal to each room

Shades can be created in a wide variety of treatments such as flat, cascade, pleated, tulip and relaxed (swagged). I would definitely choose colors and patterns that work well with each rooms theme. And I would not mix and match the different treatments overly much.

Tip: Can you mix and match roman shades, shutters, curtains and blinds? I would avoid this if you are a novice decorator as this would take a keen eye to pull off. You would need to match up the right styles, colors and treatments in a certain way to make it work visually.

Pricing on Roman Shades is definitely more on the side of high cost depending on choice of fabrics and treatments. So again expect around $500 per window average. As well this is something that will typically be a custom made fit. So you will have installation cost as well plus professional window measurements.

Style Match ~ Traditional, Contemporary, Modern, Cottage, Farmhouse, Coastal and more. Very versatile due to all the different style treatments

Hint: For custom treatments like shades and shutters you will not want to rely on the window measurements of the builder as the numbers need to be precise for fit and gap issues. Most windows are never an exact size and tend to differ by a 1/4″ or more.

Blinds

Most Efficient Option

And lastly we have window blinds. In this category I include the most popular cellular (or also referred to as honeycomb) shades. Which are known for their energy efficiency, due to their unique layered honeycomb design (which outwardly gives the appearance of a pleated look). It is true that most shades if closed will have some amount of insulation, however, cellular designs are the most efficient. This is not my personal favorite as I do not tend to find them overly attractive. As well people often choose the most inexpensive fabric in the most nondescript neutral color and this does absolutely nothing for style.

Other shades in this category include roller and screen shades for a more modern look. And depending on choice of material have a bit of see through when closed. So you can have some light diffusing in strong sunlight but still view the outside.

Another style is Silhouette or Banded shades for a sophisticated look. Again choice of fabric is key. As creating a bold design element is preferable to choosing the most neutral unnoticeable color just to be on the safe side.

Pricing here is similar to the other categories. With Silhouette shades starting at around $600 and up. These shades can also be found at the resources shown above.

Style Match ~ Urban Modern, Mid Century Modern, Contemporary, Traditional

Budgeting Hint: I would use an average cost of around $500 to figure out a general price range for window coverings for your home. So say you have 16 standard sized windows, that would be a general price range of $8,000. Therefore you should budget at least minimum $10,000 for window treatments for your home.

To sum it up. There are some great options for window coverings and if you choose wisely these can provide a stunning design element that will enhance your home. However, most window treatments are likely to be costly and one should budget accordingly.

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