Types of window treatments are curtains, drapes, blinds, shades, and shutters. They can elevate the mood of a room, give you privacy, make your living spaces energy efficient, and even boost curb appeal. Window treatments come in wide range of types, materials, and styles. Block out light in a bedroom or heat up a room in winter – what do you want your window treatments to do for you?
Add Style and Personality
There are many ways to add style and personality to any room in your home with the window treatments you choose.
Dramatic: Create a dramatic effect by using curtains or drapes in darker hues. Add tiebacks to drapery panels or ripple fold curtains to a living room for a more formal look.
Sophisticated: Hang ripple fold curtains to give a modern style living room a quiet sophistication. Use curtains in rich jewel tones for a chic sophisticated appearance.
Elegant: Combine two types of window treatments for an elegant, yet updated feel. It will add texture to the windows, making them a focal point in the room. Some combinations to create elegance in your living space are: roller shades and drapery side panels; patterned sheer curtains with solid colour drapes; and dual shades with a valance.
Kitchen cozy: Since the kitchen is the heart of any home, have fun with the window treatments in this room where everyone gathers. Bright, checkered valances to give you privacy and bring a pop of colour into the space.
Zen vibe: To create a calm and serene mood in any room of your home, whether you want to relax, hang out with friends, or sleep, hang curtains, blinds, or shades in deep earth tones.
Keep You Warm
Rooms that are drafty are typically due to windows that let in cold air. Window replacement can be expensive. Choosing energy-efficient window treatments instead can help keep heat in and cold air out.
Thermal drapes: While drapes and curtains are often used interchangeably, they are different – curtains are thinner and drapes are heavier. Thermal drapes will make a bedroom or living room cozy in winter.
Cellular shades: Cellular shades are an energy-efficient way to keep the cold out. Their honeycomb structure – pockets of air – act as insulation while letting in light.
Roller shades: A roller shade acts as an insulating layer by trapping cold air between the window and the shade. They are available in several light filtering options.
Let in the Sun
During the fall and winter months, it gets dark early. Or the small windows in the kitchen don’t let in much sun. Ways to allow more light into your home include:
- Sheer curtains
- Cellular shades
- Two types of curtains – inner lets in, heavier blocks out light
- Dual shades
- Light-control blinds
Control the Amount of Light
If you are unable to watch TV in your living room until the sun goes down in the summer or when doing a night shift you can’t sleep during the day, you want to be able to control the amount of light coming into your living space.
Blackout curtains: Insulated drapes or blackout curtains will block out all light when closed.
Louvered shutters: Plantation louvered shutters can be adjusted to let in light but also to block it out when needed.
Shades: Shades can let in light; the amount allowed into the room depends on the fabric choice.
Blinds: Vertical or horizontal blinds, like shades, can be adjusted to let light in or keep the room completely dark.
Create Privacy
Especially when you live in an urban environment, it can be a balancing act between protecting your privacy and letting in as much light as possible. Creative ways to use window treatments to prevent prying eyes include:
- Motorized window shades
- Shutters (interior)
- Frosted window film
- Cellular blinds
Functional and versatile, window treatments provide cost-effective solutions as alternatives to window replacement or extensive repairs.
