Window treatments are necessary in every home for light control and privacy, but they’re also that perfect opportunity to introduce pattern, softness, and texture too! Fabric versions soften the harder edges of a space and pull color and pattern into a room to complement the other decorative choices. Here’s a peek at the variety of styles available and the advantage each provides.
Roman Shades are an elegant choice constructed of fabric and a pulley mechanism – they fold up to bring in light and down to add privacy and can be mounted inside or outside the window frame. Flat fold options offer clean lines whereas balloon or swag Roman shades introduce curved lines.
Did you know you can make your own roman shades ?
Follow these tips to introduce a beautiful fabric to your window without a sewing machine.
Valances. These are smaller fabric treatments, fixed above a window and mounted outside the frame with L shaped brackets. Other blind options can be added beneath it for privacy if necessary. A valance can be styled in several ways, pleated, ruffled, scalloped, or swag.
Fabric Window Panels. Long drapes of fabric that hang from rods are a timeless choice that give a room softness and height when suspended from ceiling to floor. Window panels can be solids or patterns, casual or formal, and are hung with rings, grommets, or with a rod pocket.
Sheers are a wispier and more casual alternative – they’re semi opaque curtains that provide the look of window panels and more privacy than no treatment at all, yet still allow for natural light to penetrate.
Shutters. Plantation or folding shutters are a classic option customized to fit a window, and can be used alone or layered underneath panels.
Wood Blinds. White or wood blinds are an affordable choice for windows and offer light control and privacy, and their streamlined design has contemporary appeal.
Woven Shades. Add instant texture to a room with affordable woven shades made of natural fibers like bamboo. This treatment is versatile since it can be hung both inside and outside a window frame and complements many different design styles. Woven shades act like Roman shades, allowing for light when open and for privacy when closed.
Cafe Curtains. This style of treatment originated in Vienna in the 1800s in street cafes. Cafe curtains are suspended on a rod halfway down the window – they add privacy below while allowing for natural light from above.
Combination. There’s no rule that says you must choose only one! Layering window panels over roman shades, wood blinds, or woven shades adds depth to a space adding softness, pattern, and texture to the windows.
No Treatment. If you have beautiful windows and no privacy issues, opt for no window treatment at all. This choice showcases the architectural detail of a window and welcomes natural light in spaces like sunrooms and kitchens where there’s never a need to darken the room.
