Choosing the right window treatments for your home is not always as straightforward as you’d want it to be. But that doesn’t mean you have to throw all of your ideas out the window.
In this article, we will be discussing the do’s and don’ts of choosing window treatments for all areas of the home so you can enjoy the experience.
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You’ll learn how to prep before buying, find the perfect styles for your home, and also what not to ignore while shopping. Keep reading to learn more!
Do Prepare
The most important thing to do before choosing a window treatment is to have a proper prep plan in place. This includes measuring your windows at least twice to make sure you have accurate numbers. You’ll also want to clean both the inside and the outside of your windows before you add a treatment onto them.
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Once you have all the logistics out of the way, you can focus on creativity and aesthetics. Take stock of the colours and fabrics in the room before you make a purchase. You can take swatches of your furniture or wall paint into the window showroom so you can be confident in your palette choice. Which leads to our next point: don’t be afraid to ask for help! Once you’ve located a dealer or found a vendor you want to work with, reach out to their support staff. Professionals are happy to help you with their expertise.
Don’t Ignore Safety
Safety should be top of mind when you’re considering purchasing a new window treatment. Long window cords are unfortunately responsible for preventable child and pet injuries across the country. If you’re choosing to go with corded window treatments, make sure you follow the latest Canadian regulations and not allow reachable cords to go past 22 cm. Looped cords must not exceed 44 cm.
If you’ve decided to nix corded window coverings all together, there are several options you can choose from. Wands are a great alternative to cords and possess the same functions; raising and lowering blinds or controlling light filtration. Cordless blinds that function with spring technology are also sleek, practical, and highly customizable.
If you want to go a step further, then look into motorized blinds. Motorized blinds are controlled by a handheld remote, a mobile app, or a smart home system. They offer flexibility and ease so you don’t have to worry about cords or manual operation. They can be raised and lowered at a click of a button, or can be timed to open and close at specific points of the day.
Do Get Stylish
We’ve talked a lot about functionality when it comes to window treatments, but don’t ignore style and decor. Window treatments are a fun and unique way to let your personality and style shine through. Finding fun fabric or adding patterns to your blinds and shades adds that extra oomph to a room. Choosing the right colours and styles will also impact the mood of the room. If you want to have a bright, modern, or airy aesthetic, then you wouldn’t want to purchase dark or heavy fabric. Creating a moodboard or collecting swatch samples can help bring the ideas in your mind to life.
With some vendors, you’re even able to bring your own fabric and have curtains or drapes custom made. This is great if you found fabric at a local shop, or you have fabric that’s sentimental to you. If you’re more interested in working with shades, the fabric options are truly endless. There is a wide variety of colours and designs to choose from as well as materials. Some of the materials you can choose from include environmentally friendly options or custom prints.
Don’t Skimp on Window Treatments
Window treatments should be an investment for your home, so you don’t want to skimp on great products. It might be tempting to go to your local big box store and purchase something off the shelf, but this could mean that you spend more in the long run, or you don’t get high quality products. Do your research and find a vendor that is a recognized professional that has experience with perfecting the craft. When you invest in good window treatments, it really shows in your home.
This doesn’t mean that the window treatment has to be complicated or outfitted with multiple features; you can find great, simple pieces that are worth an investment. Roller shades, for example, are a great option if you just want something clean and classic. You can outfit them with designer fabrics or high-performance fabrics, but they are also perfectly fine with green or recycled fabric. Roller shades are also fairly sleek and don’t draw too much attention. They’re super easy to use, and as an added bonus, don’t require a cord to operate. Many professional window treatment businesses offer a variety of roller shades as they’re a popular item.
If you have large windows, choosing a simple panel shade is a great choice. They’re not distracting, but they add subtle beauty into a space, especially if you live in a condo or apartment with floor to ceiling windows. They’re similar to roller shades in that they don’t require a cord, and they can be open all the way to maximize light. You can choose the type of material they come with, which includes blackout, sheer, or solar shades. You can also choose the number of panel configurations they have, depending on the size of your window.
Designer Worthy Treatments
If you follow these do’s and don’ts of window treatments, you’ll find the best solutions for your home. Choosing the right window treatments doesn’t have to be difficult. If you plan, do your research, and follow the above steps, you’ll be able to find the perfect window treatment that matches your lifestyle.
If you have questions or want more information, reach out to your local window treatment supplier today.