We all love natural light and how it can change the atmosphere of our homes in such a simple yet significant way. Natural light can make rooms feel bigger, help decor shine, and, overall, leave your home feeling fresh and inviting. However, you may not want the same amount of sunlight in every room or at every time of day.
Luckily, there exist numerous window treatment options you can have installed to change the amount of sunlight you let into each room. Each of these treatments can be customized to suit the aesthetic of each room in your home.
Let’s look at a few options.
SHADES
Shades are a reasonably affordable option that can be customized to match or complement any aesthetic. Shade styles, including contemporary and traditional, are available to customize every aspect and every room of your home. Shades tend to be a popular option because they are affordable, easy to install, offer insulating benefits, and are easily customized.
Roman Shades
Roman shades are a stylish option if you’re looking for shades but want something more than a basic design. Roman shades are more traditional and have been a popular stylistic choice for many years. They can be made from thicker or thinner fabrics, depending on how much light you want to filter through, and the type and weight of the fabric can be varied for insulating purposes.
Roman shades come as a single bolt of fabric that covers a window in its entirety. Then, when raised, the fabric will form a charming accordion-folded look that adds a little bit of visual interest to your window. They can also be modified so they won’t be as bulky when you have them raised. These shades won’t provide as much insulation as other styles, but that, again, can be modified.
Roller Shades
This style of shade has become increasingly popular in recent years. They are practical and aesthetically pleasing as they deliver an effortless look that is ideal for the modern home. Roller shades roll up rather than pleat or accordion and can be manually operated or fixed with a motorized component, so they roll up at the touch of a button.
Some roller shades can be customized in different colors or have decorations added to make them more attractive. They are great for privacy and keeping out excess sunlight. If you want shades that are more suited for keeping out a lot of light, you can get roller shades customized for that as well.
Pleated Shades
Pleated shades have a crimped look and can be made from many types of fabric. They are easily compressed at the top of the window and can be corded or cordless, depending on your preferences. The colors and designs available vary, and because pleated shades are very thin, they can be made from highly affordable materials.
The only significant issue with pleated shades is that they aren’t particularly good insulators. Unfortunately, the material’s thinness doesn’t help block much light either, so these are optimal for rooms that require less shading.
Honeycomb or Cellular Shades
Honeycomb—or cellular—shades are one of the top shades when it comes to functionality and quality. They are similar to pleated shades but provide a higher level of privacy while blocking more light. The fabric is thick but doesn’t take up much space when the shades’ honeycomb-shaped cells are in the open position. The honeycomb construction also makes these shades ideal for insulating purposes as air and heat are trapped easily by their functionality.
They aren’t necessarily the most aesthetically pleasing shades you could opt for, but they are practical and functional enough to have earned themselves a spot in many modern households. You can even customize them, so they function as blackout shades to ensure your beauty sleep isn’t interrupted by the sun.
Solar Shades
Solar shades have become popular in the last few years because they offer the ability to have some shade in your room without obstructing the view. While solar shades don’t eliminate the light that enters a room through a window, they can reduce the amount of sunlight and heat that enter. Solar shades are the perfect option for minimizing heat and excessive light while retaining the simplicity and beauty of your room.
Solar shades also protect your furniture from fading and sun damage. With their simple design, they won’t detract from the rest of your decor. While they aren’t the most attractive from the outside, they are easy to install and incredibly effective.
Woven Wood Or Bamboo Shades
These shades are not only budget-friendly but can add a little bit of interest to your room’s decor. Whether your style is modern or more traditional, they will suit either design style. They are earthy and natural with a touch of modern elegance, and you don’t have to worry about them detracting or clashing with the rest of your décor.
Made from renewable and recycled resources, you can feel good about your carbon footprint. This shade style provides good ventilation and allows the right amount of sunlight to enter the room when you want it. They also offer plenty of privacy, so you don’t have to worry about nosy neighbors.
BLINDS
Blinds are slatted window treatments that can be adjusted or tilted to filter the light and heat entering your room. They may be made from a variety of materials depending on your individual needs and tastes. A rod or a cord on the exterior edge of the blind will allow you to adjust them. They are incredibly versatile, and you will typically match your decor.
Venetian Blinds
Venetian blinds are typically wood, aluminum, or plastic blinds threaded together with lift cords to fold the blinds when they open. Also available in cordless varieties, Venetian blinds can be lifted with another device or even a remote control. They offer just the right amount of light filtering and can be adjusted to your specific needs. Their design prevents them from getting tangled or coming off a track.
They are inexpensive and different materials can be used to complement your desired look.
Pleated Blinds
Pleated blinds are what you probably think of when you think of window blinds in general. They feature a classic look with thin veins and are usually drawn up using a cord. They may also be corded or cordless, and a variety of design types make them unique to each home. You can choose from wood, vinyl, or even fabric pleated shades to customize these window treatments.
Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds are a standard option for large windows and sliding doors. They use vertical slats rather than horizontal slats, making them easy to open using a rod or cord to adjust the slats into your desired position. They are relatively low maintenance and don’t collect dust the way horizontal blinds do. Vertical blinds will need an occasional dusting or wipe down, but not as frequently as other blinds.
Vertical blinds are typically made of an inexpensive vinyl material or materials that mimic wood. Vertical blinds operate in a sliding track, so there is less opportunity for them to snag or tangle. The shape of the veins can be changed to alter your room’s appearance, or you can pick out different designs and colors to better suit your aesthetic.
DRAPERIES AND CURTAINS
Drapes and curtains are timeless classics when it comes to window treatments. Not only can they change or add to any room’s aesthetic, they can also significantly modify the amount of light allowed in. They are an excellent option for insulating as they can help prevent air or heat from leaking out your window seams by blocking them.
Ripple-Fold Drapes
These drapes have a curved fold on the track or rod that makes them look like rippling waves. This style is elegant but simple and thus is a standard option for dining rooms and master bedrooms. The rippling effect makes the curtains look more voluminous and softer, so they are neat and orderly while at the same time sleek and charming.
They aren’t difficult to maintain and don’t sag or brush the floor, so you don’t have to worry about the bottom of your them collecting dust or dirt.
Tailored Pleat
These drapes are pinned in a specific pattern to give them a pleated look at the top that then flows out in clean and defined lines. It is an elegant look and doesn’t distract the eye with busy patterns unless you choose a bold fabric. The tailored pleats give the curtains a more purposeful look and give any room a gentle, elegant touch
With various patterns, fabrics, and colors to choose from, you can genuinely make the pleated drapery look customized to you.
Pinch Pleat
If you’ve ever made a pie, you’re likely familiar with a pinch pleat pattern. The top of the curtain will look just like the pinch pleats of a pie crust when you’re sealing it up for baking. Similar to the tailored pleat, the pinch pleat is more casual and rustic. The tailored pleat is a modern take on the pinch pleat, as the pinch pleat is timeless.
The pinch pleat design is lovely, and you won’t be disappointed pairing it with the decor in your living or dining room.
Grommet Curtains
Grommet curtains have become a popular option for people who don’t want to deal with complicated curtain rings. Grommet curtains are pressed at the top with grommets allowing them to be slid onto a curtain rod easily. While you can see the metal of the grommets, many manufacturers make them in decorative metal tones that add a touch of modern elegance.
If you’re looking for a simple and low-maintenance solution, grommet curtains may be a great option.
Inverted Pleat
The inverted pleat is a spin on tailored or pinch-pleat drapes and lends a sophisticated and thoughtful aesthetic to any room in the home. The pleat itself is hidden—or invisible. What you do see is the fold of the fabric, a clean line, and a smart look. This curtain design would be aesthetically pleasing in an office or a sitting room, as it is simple but sophisticated.
These drapes are typically made with heavier fabrics as heavier fabrics hold and define the pleats better. They can, however, be made with lighter-weight fabrics as well.
Goblet Curtains
This curtain style is named for the look the cinching at the top of each gives. With goblet curtains, the fabric is bent into a goblet shape before tapering at the “stem.” Goblet curtains are more traditional or old-fashioned, but they still have their place in some modern homes. This is especially true if you’re a fan of timeless accents.
You can make a statement in your home with goblet drapes if they are made with a bold pattern or even a solid-colored fabric.
Cubicle Curtains
Cubicle curtains are unique because you don’t typically see them in residential settings. Cubicle curtains are more often used in hospitals and offices. They have been making a bit of a statement, though, as dividing curtains in bedrooms or for reading nooks. They are a great choice for smaller spaces that you want to divide into clearly defined areas. They are also available in a variety of styles.
Rod-Pocket Curtains
These curtains are for those of you who don’t want to see a potentially unwieldy curtain rod. There is a tube-like pocket at the top of each curtain. You slide the curtain rod through the pocket, which hides the rod from view. These pockets may include a variety of different designs, so you’re sure to find one that’s right for you. If you want to go for something a little fancier, you might choose a curtain with a goblet, ripple, tailored, pinch, or inverted-style rod pocket.
Either way, these curtains are exceptionally easy to install and manage.
Sheers
If you’re looking for something that will help keep a little bit of the light and heat from the sun out of the room while still providing lots of natural light, a sheer curtain is a great option. You can get sheers in chiffon, lace, or another light-weight fabric, depending on the style you’re seeking. There are so many different options to choose from to keep your room bright without being overbearing.
How We Can Help You
We know how important it is that every room in your home has the right amount of light. Whether you need blackout curtains or sheers, our trusted design team can help you find precisely the best options for your home. Our skilled and experienced team will make your dreams for a unique home that reflects your personality and interests a reality.
For more information, call us or click here to schedule your complimentary, no-obligation consultation.