How to Choose the Right Window Treatments for Every Room of Your Home

The window treatments you choose for your home's windows are very important, as curtains, shades or blinds need to provide privacy and light blockage, while also blending well with the room's overall decor and style. Window treatments can also add to the room's insulation, blocking a draughty window or keeping heat from passing through the window and its frame. To ensure you choose the best window treatments for your home, note a few tips to keep in mind when shopping.

Furniture and foot traffic

Oversized curtains can be difficult to work around furniture, and you may find yourself always have to tuck those curtains behind a sofa or chair, or may find that they get in the way of foot traffic as you walk around a dining table or other piece. Consider how curtains would be managed when opened before making a purchase; if they're too large or thick, they might push up against an entertainment centre or brush up against a lamp on a nearby table, always getting in the way. In smaller rooms where curtains might be a challenge, opt for window treatments that fit inside the frame, such as shades, horizontal blinds or shutters.

Light blockage

Light diffusing and light filtering window treatments are just as the name implies; these pieces only diffuse or filter light, rather than actually block it. These window treatments might be good for sunrooms, kitchens or bathrooms where you want privacy but not complete blockage of the light coming through the windows. However, if you need maximum light blockage, look for blackout pieces or have custom window treatments made with light blocking fabric or materials. Custom blinds will also fit a window more precisely, so less light will come in through the side or under the window treatment itself.

Style

Never underestimate how noticeable your window treatments will be in a room, when you're choosing their colour, pattern, and other details. Curtains can easily clash with upholstered furniture, whereas shutters may seem a bit rustic, and not the right choice for a formal living room. If a room already has lots of patterns on the fabric of furniture and accessories, it can be good to have the window treatments custom made, so that you can choose the best complementary colour and pattern. Blinds and shades are also neutral styles that work well in both formal rooms and more casual spaces, so opt for these window treatments if you're not sure the best style for the room.