By Gail Bicknell
When contemplating a new design or renovation, most clients focus on paint colors, flooring, and furniture; however, when planning any room, window treatments should never be an afterthought. Window treatments can provide security and privacy, increase energy efficiency and add immeasurably to the design impact of the room.
In terms of privacy, window treatments control light and create a barrier between your personal space and the outside world. Think of how exposed you feel in a hotel room at night with the interior lights on and the curtains open! Curtains and shades provide privacy and security, both psychological and physical. Sheers allow light to pass through but help reduce glare and give a moderate amount of privacy. A shade you raise or lower can allow you both complete privacy and light control. Blackout shades or curtains can keep bedrooms dark enough to sleep comfortably, particularly if the natural light cycle doesn’t mesh with one’s personal sleep schedule. Covered windows also reduce sun damage from UV rays and help control excessive heat. In winter, you might love and appreciate having the sun stream into a room midday to warm it up, but that same room in midsummer will probably require your air conditioner to work overtime!
In terms of energy efficiency, window treatments can be an invaluable investment. Older homes and sometimes even newly built homes often have windows that aren’t airtight. A well-designed window treatment can help in eliminating drafts and ultimately reduce heating bills. Fabric treatments also absorb sound which can make a room you relax in quieter and more restful.
And then th
ere’s the aesthetic side of a beautifully designed room with appropriate window treatments! The right fabric, pattern, or texture can pull an entire room together. Woven woods add visual interest and lots of texture, whereas fabrics can add softness and serenity to a room. A room can be made visually harmonious with treatments that match and blend or be elevated to spectacular with dramatic draperies or shades.
When I work with clients with a beautiful view they want to emphasize, I’ll use fabrics to enhance the view by using a complementary pattern or a simple, neutral fabric that won’t detract in any way. If the view out a window is less than desirable, sheers or a shade can add beauty to the room by diminishing the view. And in some rooms, the window treatment itself is the focal point. One of my favorite solutions is beautifully textured linen (or linen-look) panels or Roman shades with a statement trim~a timeless, classic, and elegant window treatment.
Depending on the style of your home, the use of the room, and what you’re trying to accomplish, there are multitudes of options from light filtering, woven and custom fabric shades to valances, stationary panels, and full floor-to-ceiling or traversing draperies. If you’re not sure which window treatment is best for your home, consult an interior designer.
Ready to update the heart of your home? I’d love to talk with you! Email: fairstreetinteriors@gmail.com
Fair Street Interiors