Let’s take it back to home design 101 with this month’s blog post discussing how one chooses which window treatments to install. When it’s time to decide which shades to put in your new kitchen or which blinds to install in your new commercial project, the average person can become overwhelmed. Roller shades or roman shades? What about draperies and should we consider motorization options? (breathe.)
With various window treatment types comes different features (and if you only take away one thing from our design blog let it be that). Think about the window treatments you are going to install, does the space need to feel light and airy or keep the sunlight out? Are you looking strictly for aesthetics or a mixture of functionality yet chic? What about green living, do you want to save on your energy bill?
This part of the process (known as the “what do you want?” phase) is done with every single client, whether they are an architect, homeowner, interior designer, general contractor, audio visual dealer, etc. – everyone needs to be on the same page so you (the client) end up with the best end result.
Let’s delve into some of the different types of window treatments out there and which type works for you.
Draperies – Near and dear to the Rosenberg Interior Technologists roots would be custom made draperies. (Read more about that here.) These window coverings are a traditional (or contemporary) option that offer privacy while still leaving the room feeling bright and airy. The opportunities with draperies are endless considering the fabrics, color choices, and styles.
Wood Blinds – If you prefer a rustic yet contemporary and elegant look, wood blinds are a great option as they are available in an assortment of textures and colors. Beyond aesthetics, wood blinds offer low maintenance (think dirt and dust) and have a longer lifespan than other blind options due to how well they are made.
Roller Shades – Blocking out damaging UV rays all while offering the ability to completely disappear. Roller shades come in a variety of fabrics and colors and can be completely opaque or designed to allow privacy or transparency. Did we mention they are also extremely cost-effective.
Roman Shades – These custom made shades are another classic style that has been around for years. Roman shades fold up neatly when collapsed, offering a modern feel or can be left down for a casual vibe – truly the best of both worlds. Depending on which fabric you choose, roman shades can also be energy-efficient and completely room darkening.
Cellular Shade – Also referred to as “honeycomb” shades because of its shape with multiple layers of pleated fabric, cellular shades are known for helping people save money on energy bills due to how the fabric traps air. Cellular shades also offer privacy and a variety of a design options, making these shades a good choice for those looking for a little bit of everything – energy savings, privacy, and design.
All of these shade options can be motorized and it’s important to decide if you need motorization or not before they are installed – unless you like to throw money away. Depending on where you go for your window treatments will also play a huge factor in functionality and what is available to you; Rosenberg Interior Technologists can offer custom fabric and materials on every single project because we actually source the fabric at the time of your project (it’s not sitting in storage), a bit of a different approach then the local blind store down the road.
If you are still curious or confused as to what window treatments you should be designing for and installing, please contact us here and we’ll be happy to help – no strings attached.
Norman, CEO & President
Rosenberg Interior Technologists
Connect with me on Linkedin here.