Window covering makeover: 4 things to consider

From drapes, plantation shutters, roller blinds, venetians to sheers…the list goes on and on!

With so many types of window treatments available nowadays, picking the right ones to enhance the look of your window panes and home’s decor can seem like a maze of overwhelming possibilities.

Initially set your options straight by deciding on a budget for your new window coverings and taking a look at your home’s structural features and existing home furnishings to help guide your window covering selection.

Next, use the following advantages and disadvantages of different popular window treatments to help inform your final choice.

Sheer style

Sheer curtains are an affordable and fashionable contemporary window treatment option. Sheers come in various colours and they’re easy to install. This kind of floaty material will give a room a light and airy feeling. Keep in mind they may not be the best option for a bathroom or bedroom unless they’re paired with shades or blinds or lined with heavier fabric for privacy reasons.

Also, you can buy thin sheer drop curtains that are extra-long. Let them bundle up on the floor for an expensive, oversized luxe look.

Fabric texture

Another essential thing to do is to think about the mood you want to achieve in your room. For a formal living area or luxurious boudoir, there’s heavy velvet or silk which acts as a great insulator. However, more practical child-friendly and washable choices include cotton sateen and silky rayon blends.

For a more casual coastal feel, consider billowy linen which is a dry-cleanable and durable fabric. Alternatively, cotton can work with almost any existing decoration scheme and bring a neat, crisp feel, as do wool blends.

Shades vs blinds

Extensive choices for shades and blinds are available to match the functional needs of your window and preferences for decor. While shades consist of soft textiles like fabric, blinds are solid and made out of hard materials such as metal or timber. For that reason, blinds can be more durable, easy to clean and better for people that suffer from allergies.

A major positive of shades and blinds is you can raise and lower them and adjust the angle of your blinds to achieve optimum light control and privacy. A downside is there can be some seepage of light around the edges of blinds and shades, so they may not be the most practical block-out solution for bedrooms.

Shades allow you to enjoy a clear view of the outside with a clean, breezy look. You can also match the textile of your shades to suit your furniture upholstery and décor colour scheme. For something a bit different check out Roman fabric shades that consist of horizontal, flat folds in various colours and patterns and honeycomb-shaped shades.

Drapes vs curtains

Curtains can be made from a huge variety of different fabrics to add a softer style, texture and colour to your space. While curtains are typically from lightweight materials, such as lace, linen, or cotton, drapes are fabricated out of heavier textiles, such as velvet, tapestry and damask.

Curtains create a casual, breezy ambience, and drapes offer a more elegant, glam and formal look. Furthermore, metal curtain rings, ornamental rods, ornate pelmets and decorative tiebacks add energy and interest to ordinary drapes and curtains.

Updating your window coverings can greatly impact the overall design and feel of your home. It will give you great satisfaction and transform the feel of any room instantly. We hope the above tips help to guide you through your next window makeover project.