Inspirational Decorating - Deciding How to Dress Your Windows

Inspirational Decorating-

Deciding how to dress your windows can be a painstaking task. Let's discuss some key point before you decide on a treatment.

1. Do I need privacy in this room?
If you feel like your window is actually the inside of a fishbowl because of traffic or because it faces a neighbor's window, then you need a treatment that at least offers you the option of privacy. However, if your window looks out onto a wooded area and offers the opportunity to take the outside in, perhaps you need no dressing at all or simply one that leaves the window uncovered. 

2. Is light control important to the room?
Consider what activities are taking place throughout the day. If you watch television in this room, you may need to control the amount of light and the glare that is dispensed in the space. Likewise, in a bedroom, you may want to control the light when you want to sleep in on those rare occasions:)

3. How important is light to your well being?
Some people require more sunlight than others. If you crave light but have the issue of privacy, you may want to choose a transparent or sheer treatment. It can offer privacy as well as diffuse the light.

4. What style and feel am I looking for?
This is a big one! I often ask a client what style they are going for in their room. Every single person has a different representation of what those general styles are. I'd rather you think of the feel that you'd like to achieve in your space. This translates to the enigmatic word, ambience- and this is where your own personal style really comes into play.

5. Will untreated windows allow too much heat to escape in the winter or make cooling my home difficult in the summer?
Window coverings have a huge impact on money-saving strategies by offering better temperature control.   In the winter, open them to allow light and heat to penetrate the room during the warmest part of the day. At night close them as tightly as possible to keep it in. In the summer, close them during the day and open at night to cool the room. Choosing close-fitting treatments and adding lining and interlining is a great investment in your homes efficiency.

6. How committed am I to maintaining my window treatments?
This answer not only will affect the window treatment that you choose but, also the fabric that it should be constructed in. Your chosen fabric needs to have a cleaning method that you can live with.

7. Does the room function change from day to night?
At night, undressed windows are distracting and uninviting. If you plan on spending a good deal of evening time in a room- such as a family room- it is usually best to choose a treatment that can cover these "black holes."

8. Will my chosen window treatment be highly visible from outside?
If so, pay attention to the lining fabric. There is nothing worst than 5 front windows to the street that all have a different color treatments. Can you say funhouse?This is where lining is important once again. Keep it neutral and you will have continuity.