The decoration of your windows lends an opportunity
to set the mood, style or focus point of a room. Window
coverings can also used to create a comfortable feeling for
the room while actuallly cutting out some of the cold air or
the hot sun.
You may choose to have them blend into the background or become
the focal point of the room. Think first about what you want
to achieve with your window treatment before you order.
Questions to be considered before making a decision
- Do I want a more formal or casual look?
- Will these serve both as residental and commercial (home
office)?
- What degree of privacy do I need?
- Are there distractions outside the window that will be
a problem?
- What is the exposure of the room (north, south, east,
west)?
- Do I need the window for ventilation?
- How much light control do I want?
- Which view is most important to me?
- Is there an ugly view
outside the window that I want to hide?
- Would I rather
be able to see the trees or other view out of the
top part of the window?
- Is energy efficiency a concern?
- Is ease of cleaning the window treatment important?
- Do I want easy access to the window for cleaning?
- Are there any challenges such as security
buttons, windows that crank, window air conditioners,
baseboard heaters, etc.?
- Are there light switches or wall sockets that need
to be considered?
- Are there any interfering architectural features such
as crown moldings, beams, chair rails, built-in
cabinets, etc.?
- Is the window located close to a corner of the room so
that extension of the treatment may be
prohibited or operation of a traverse treatment limited?
- Is there a combination of doors and windows in the room
that needs to be treated? Is the door used frequently?
- What about cleaning and maintenance of the treatment itself?
- Will children be in the room?
- Will pets be in the room?
- Will allergies to dust be a problem?
Once you examine these questions
you will be able to decide whether wood blinds or pleated
shades will best meet your needs. You
can always add additional window treatments such as swags
or drapes to additionaly enhance the window decoration.
Other Considerations
- What is the size of the room itself? (Light colors make
the room seem larger, dark colors bring the room in)
- How many windows are there? Are all the windows in the
room the same size and shape?
- Are the window proportions pleasing, or should they be
altered with the window treatment?
- Should the windows play a starring role or be a background
element?
- What other furnishings (furniture, wallcovering, flooring,
accessories) will be in the room?
- What colors, patterns and textures are used in the room?
- What can/should the window fashions contribute to the
decorating scheme (achieve better balance, repeat
lines and/or colors to add to rhythm, unify other elements,
provide a focal point for an otherwise uninspiring
room, etc.)?
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