“When I first start designing a room, my first thought is, ‘What does this space need?’ ” designer Amy Peltier says. “From there I consider the style of the home. It plays a huge factor in the design process. For example, I won’t cover up a traditional [window] trim with a modern shade. Instead I want to highlight the characteristics of the space and make sure the window treatment I use doesn’t take away from that feature.”
Read on for details on window treatment options, including features and installation choices. Then click the link at the bottom of each description to see more photos and information about each style.
- Roman
- Roller
- Solar and screen
- Woven wood
- Cellular, or honeycomb
How they operate. A pulley-like system within the shade allows you to open and close it with a control cord or continuous loop chain, or remotely by motor.
Blinds can be effective at controlling light and privacy. Styles with wood slats, such as those shown here, add a touch of natural texture to a space, while vinyl and fabric “zebra” blind-shade hybrids provide a clean, modern look.
- Wood
- Faux wood composite
- Vinyl
- Vertical
- Dual, or zebra
How they operate. Individual slats can be opened or closed by turning a wand or with tilt cords. Cordless blinds are operated by pushing the bottom rail up by hand into the upper headrail. Vertical blinds or panels are installed on a top rail and are operated with a wand, control chain or by motor.
Shutters
Shutters are a classic treatment option for dressing a window and efficiently controlling light and privacy. They do tend to be more expensive than blinds and some shades.
Find your style. Shutters come in a variety of slat widths. Wide-slat plantation-style shutters — whether wood or faux wood vinyl — can add an elegant touch to any space. Styles and materials include:- Wood
- Faux wood composite and vinyl
- Full-height
- Cafe, or half-height
- Double-hung
- Bypass
How they operate. A tilt rod is used to open and close the angled slats, called louvers. Shutters with an invisible tilt rod built into the frame are controlled by holding one louver to control all of them.
Curtains and Drapes
These “soft” window treatments can be a big part of a room’s design, in addition to controlling light and providing privacy. The options range from simple cafe curtains to lush pleated drapery.
Find your style. The length, fabric and style of the header, or top of the curtain or drape panel, are just a few considerations when choosing curtains. Drapery tends to be floor-length with pleated headers. Styles include:- Rod pocket
- Tab top
- Ring top
- Grommet
- Ripple fold
- Pleated
- Cafe
- Valances and cornices
How they operate: Curtains and drapes that are manually opened and closed hang from a rod by rings, grommets, fabric tabs or through a pocket across the top of the fabric. Motorized drapery is pinned or clipped to a track and controlled remotely.
The wide variety of styles, designs and materials makes shades one of the most versatile of window treatments. Constructed from one piece of fabric or woven fiber, shades are raised and lowered to control light and privacy, as opposed to slats or louvers that open and close.