There are right ways and wrong ways to use window treatments. For example, you can hang sheets on your windows and they will perform the function of window treatments, but they will not be beautiful or pleasing to the eye. While that may seem like an extreme example, it’s done more than you might think, so let’s look at some of the do’s and don’ts of window treatments that will get you the results you want.
When you are using curtains as your window treatment, hang them high and wide. You can make the entire room look larger and elegant by hanging your curtain at least 12″ above the top of the window frame or all the way to the ceiling and extending the curtain rod out three to six inches on both sides of the window.
Don’t hang curtain window treatments right above the window. When curtain window treatments are hung right above the window frame, they make the window look smaller and they don’t allow as much light to come into the room. This can make the room look and feel crowded. A good rule of thumb to follow is that when curtain window treatments are open, the curtains should not fall any more than two inches inside the window frame on either side of the window.
You should always layer window treatments, whether you have window shades, window blinds, or window shutters that are framed by curtains or that have a top valance installed, or you have sheer curtain window treatments that are framed by heavier curtains or drapes. This is both practical and stylish. The practical aspect is that the more window treatments you have on a window, the better that window will be insulated. The style aspect is that the window becomes a focal point in the room.
Don’t go crazy with too many window treatment layers, however. The more layers you add to windows, the less light you will have coming into the rooms. Less light will make the room seem smaller and more confining.
Measure the wall from ceiling to floor before buying curtais. Curtain window treatments should always touch the floor or be no more than a half inch above the floor. When you hang curtain window treatments that stop at the windowsill, it leaves the wall space below the window undressed, and it cuts that space in half instead of having a flowing look from ceiling to floor.
When you’re choosing shutters or blinds window treatments, opt for wood or faux wood with wide slats. Blinds and window shutters window treatments are an investment, so make sure you get the most out of your investment by choosing blinds and shutters made of solid or composite materials rather than plastic or metal.
Change up the window treatments you use throughout your home. Every room has its own story to tell, so make the window treatments you have help tell that story. We don’t live monochromatic lives and our homes should reflect the different aspects of our lives in tasteful, compelling ways. Window treatments can accent those different things and bring a home to life.
Above all, trust your instinct when choosing window treatments, because not all windows fall within the guidelines above. When looking for window treatments, the bottom line is how they treat light, temperature, or space, and those should always be your primary criteria.
If you’d like to learn more about designing window treatments, you can speak with our experienced staff at McNeill Palm. You can come to our showroom at 655 Grand Blvd Ste 106D, Miramar Beach, FL 32250, or you can call us at (850) 613-6228. Visit our website to learn more about our window services. We are committed to helping you address your unique needs, providing you with the ideal solutions for any window-related challenges, ensuring you find the perfect solutions for all your window requirements.