Everything You Need To Know About Window Treatments
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Everything You Need To Know About Window Treatments
Window treatments might be one of the biggest topics of conversation I get from design-ready homeowners. Understandably, because before I left 13 years in the commercial world of interiors, I had never specified one drapery panel 😅
Wow, was I missing out!
In residential design, there’s not only form but also function, to respond to with window treatments.
There is no doubt these beauties are an investment, so when you are ready to make them happen, don’t shy away from fabric and install details that make your heart sing!
Draping Those Windows
We are making our way through my Top 20 List (👈🏻 linked there) slowly but surely. A fun way to organize what I share with you each week, and we have almost made it to #20!
Reminder: You’ve got this… and it doesn’t have to be perfect!
I can’t wait to share more about what we have been up to BTS over here. There is A LOT of goodness to come in the virtual program world for MMDH! We are knee deep in this pivot of offering more day to day design guidance to homeowners like you!
Stay tuned as we continue to ask lots of questions to make sure we are ready to kick into high gear with fresh offers COMING SO SOON 🤩
And now, what we have all been waiting for…
#17 Add window treatments to your windows.
So many questions around this topic, and I am here to share the goods 👇
Key Tips:
What are window treatments?
This term covers just about anything you are covering or flanking your windows with, from shutters and blinds to drapery panels and valances. Roller shades and roman shades are window treatments too. The term does not leave any one treatment out.
Why “treat” your windows?
Window treatments are the “earrings” to the room. They are a finishing touch that ties it all together. Window treatments are functional and aesthetically grounding when done appropriately in your space. They can block out light, filter light, provide privacy, pattern play, color, texture, AND dimension… I suppose a better question is “why not treat your windows?!”
Cost variation is of drapery panels.
There is a WIDE range of budget allowances that can be put towards window treatments. Grab rod hardware from Wayfair or Target and panels from World Market or West Elm ($); order longer length rods and double width panels that give a more custom feel from Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware ($$); or go entirely custom through The Shade Store or a designer workroom to get a one of a kind solution measured to perfection ($$$). Each approach works! The more you spend, the more impactful the aesthetic and function will be for your space.
Blinds vs. shutters.
There is an extreme cost variation in hard material window treatments options. Faux wood blinds are a great solution to get the flexibility of light and privacy control. They can be sourced via a big box store in cuttable widths to fit your windows to the 1/2”. Blinds don’t always provide a tailored/finished look, so layering them with a soft/ fabric window treatment is a great option.
Shutters on the other hand are always made to order, sized to fit your windows, and installed more permanently on or around your window trim. They are a higher investment, although they do a lot of “heavy lifting” as an almost architectural feature that does not necessarily need soft/fabric treatments layers over them for aesthetic purposes.
Inside vs. outside mount.
If you have at least 3” of flat depth between the face of your window (the glass surround) and the face of your casing (trim on the wall), you can likely inside mount your blinds or shades. Inside mount blinds or shades are always easier to layer over with drapery panels or valances to finish off the look, although layering can still be a great solution if outside mounts are necessary for everything 👍
Top treatment of drapery panels.
Avoid grommets, exposed ring clips, rod pocket, and tab-top curtains/drapery panels, as they typically call themselves out as “off the shelf”. Hidden tabs or pin mounted rings immediately ramp up any store purchased panels. When selecting custom panels, a “2-Finger Euro Pleat” with rings on a 1” rod is a great go-to for a casual spin on a classic drapery install.
BONUS TIP: You can save a bit on fabric yardage and hardware costs if you go with custom fixed panels that you never need to fully close 😉
These custom relaxed roman shades pictured above add such a cozy layer to this staircase window seat… and this Schumacher metallic stripe had thee perfect drape for this install. I couldn’t love this neutral pop of pattern more!
Textile selections have always been one of my all time favorite tasks of being an interior designer… they can make or break the impact of a project 💓 The possibilities of design and investment range significantly with window treatments. No matter what, make these beauties work for you and your space!
Talk to me about custom drapery and upholstery projects for your own home… are they enticing? Daunting? Regular occurrences? Or you have never thought about them until this post? Let me know in the comments below!
xo,
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