Planning to do some simple home renovation? There is one particular section that is often overlooked, and that is window treatments. They are important for those who highly value their privacy or maybe even just blocking out some natural light in the earlier hours. There are many different types of window treatments available which not many people are aware of, and so that is what we are going to cover today.
1. Curtains
Most of us are familiar with these because they are easily available in any furniture store. The prominence of their usage comes from the fact that they are commonly used in places like the kitchen or the bedroom. There are plenty of colors, styles, and patterns to choose from, making them one of the best ways to add a fresh perspective without strenuous effort. They are usually sold in pairs and often have curtain rings attached so it can be looped through a rod installed above the window. They are also lighter than drapes which will be the next item we will be covering.
2. Drapes
Drapes are also one of the more commonly used window treatments hence having many different designs available in the market. As mentioned previously, they are thicker than curtains which makes them a better instrument to successfully eliminate the sunlight from entering the rooms. Aside from controlling the amount of light that enters, they are also good for managing heat. They are more frequently used in places like the bedroom, living room, and dining room. Like curtains, they also hang from a rod installed above the window, making it easy to open and close the drapes.
3. Sheers
In stark contrast to drapes, sheers are extremely lightweight curtains made using sheer fabric. Due to the use of the material, sheers offer little to no protection from the light or temperature and are mainly used for more aesthetic purposes. They are suitable for small places with constant light breezes like cottage, coastal and country rooms. They can be layered over a blind or shade if you still prefer to have some interception with light and heat whilst maintaining a light, airy atmosphere in the room.
4. Shades
A good pair with sheers, shades are popular among the masses because of the limitless designs that accompany it. Not only do they come in various patterns and colors, but they are also applicable to the many different decorations that you or others might have in mind. Shades are also a compact size made to fit the size of your window nicely. They are typically attached to a rod or frame and are controlled by a pulley or roller system.
5. Blinds
Blinds function similarly to shades, however, they generally appeal to those with more simple, and modern tastes. The blinds are made up of harder materials like wood or metal, making them an efficient way to block out sunlight. Unlike shades, however, they are tilted open and close meaning to say the entire view on the other side will be obstructed. As such, they are widely used over smaller windows, sliding glass doors, or very large windows like those you would see in offices. Some also have the option of lifting the entire blind up and down as well if it is needed. Perfect Fit Blinds can be fitted in your windows without having to make any adjustments to your windows.
6. Shutters
Throwing back to the old school days, shutters are definitely a relic of the past. Like drapes, they are good in cottage-like, coastal, country, or rustic places. You could even call them a combination of shades and blinds. Shutters are usually fitted exactly over the size of the window where it can be opened and closed to one’s desires. They also have louvers that can be moved with a lever and as such, can control the amount of sunlight entering a room. While they can come in many colors, white and natural wood tones are the most sought after.
7. Valances
These are usually paired off with curtains, drapes, shades, and blinds. They are mainly for decorative purposes. For the aforementioned kind of window treatments, they are usually accompanied by mounting hardware which to some people, might seem unsightly. This is where valances help. They cover up these mounting hardware and also add another dash of color to the interior. They can come in many styles and patterns as well and are usually used in a more formal setting so they can commonly be found in master bedrooms, parlors, or dining rooms.
8. Swags and Cascades
Coming up next are extensions of valances that have gained wide popularity earning it its own category. For swags and cascades, their designs are more focused on giving the room a more elegant edge. They serve two purposes which are to conceal the mounting hardware and also to enhance privacy and protection from light. They are often layered over other types of window treatments. For swags, they are usually placed over a horizontal rod in multiple folds. The cascades, on the other hand, are left to cascade down the sides of the window. Both provide a certain elegant allure to the room.
9. Cornices
Up next, these are also used in more formal settings. They are made with sturdier materials like wood. Like valances, they are used to conceal unsightly mounting hardware. However, compared to the lighter ambiance that valances provide, cornices are shaped like boxes to completely cover up the mounting hardware and the designs are usually done to cater to more formal rooms. Cornices can also come in many different designs, made of different materials and, shaped and trimmed in different ways. Many homeowners even opt for custom designs so that the finished cornice would better match with the furniture and overall aesthetics of a room.
Thus, there are many different types of window treatments to take into consideration. Each of which provides a different allure and ambiance to the room. Ultimately, the decision on the type of window treatment to use depends on what environment or atmosphere that you want to create for a particular room. With that said, trying out the different window treatments will give you a better feel, so knock yourselves out with it!