It takes more than just living in a space to make it feel like home. Many people are daunted by home decorating, but it doesn’t have to be a scary process. If you learn the basics about how to approach each of the major areas of decorating—floors, walls, windows, and so on—you can transform your house or apartment into a cozy, welcoming home for yourself and your family.
Windows are a great place to start, simply because they take up so much visual real estate in a room. They also naturally draw the eyes, so having the right window treatments can automatically spruce up a room and create a definite look and feel. Here are some ideas to help you choose the right window treatments for your space.
What Style of Treatment?
The first step is figuring out whether you want blinds, shades, curtains, or a combination thereof in a particular room. This can feel like a hard place to begin, though, because there are just so many options! To narrow it down, think about the purpose of the room and what you want your windows to do for the space.
Some people may assume that blinds and shades are simply functional, and curtains are essential to add to a room’s décor, but that’s not necessarily true anymore. There are a lot of decorative blinds available now, both vertical and horizontal, in a range of fabrics and styles. Blinds provide a clean look to many rooms, but with more colors and patterns available, it can also brighten your décor. Less common shade styles, like Roman shades, can add visual interest as well as functionality. Cellular shades are great for increasing the energy efficiency of your home. Innovative blinds, such as top down/bottom up blinds, let in more light while preserving privacy.
Once you choose the style of window treatment you want, you can begin narrowing down your search for the perfect treatments.
Choosing Great Colors
Color is one of the most powerful tools we have to define the mood and feeling of a room. Again, however, there are so many options it may seem impossible to get started. If you’re not sure how to begin, the best thing is to take your time and not rush into a decision. Choosing the best colors for a room is worth the extra effort.
Colors are also tricky because they can change depending on the amount of light in a room or what surrounds them. If you are shopping online for styles or colors, you also have to contend with computer monitors not always representing colors accurately. To really get an idea of what colors you want in a room, remove the guesswork by using color samples. Order samples from the blind manufacturers in which you’re interested so you can see the actual color in the room and what it really looks like next to your wall color, furniture and other décor. Pin the color swatches up on the walls by the windows, and leave them for a couple of days. Check on them throughout the day to see how the colors change as the light shifts. If you are looking at a light filtering fabric sample, versus wood or black out fabrics, put the sample in front of the window during bright daylight so that you can see how the color changes when light passes through the fabric. Narrow down your options, and get a second opinion if you need to decide between the final choices.
Look for the Familiar
To make a room feel comfortable, add elements that have a touch of familiarity to them. Even if you want to completely revamp your home décor, replacing everything in a room with different and unfamiliar things can make it feel uncomfortable and alien. While you make changes, look for ways to include items that are familiar, even if they are primarily different. For example, find curtains with a color or pattern that reminds you of one of your favorite places to go or a familiar, happy place from your childhood. You can also make changes by using existing elements of your décor, but choosing slightly modified patterns, textures or colors. For example, if you are removing window treatments with a bold stripe pattern, replace them with treatments that have a much more subtle stripe.
Think About Texture
Texture is a great way to make a room feel multidimensional and inviting. Think about the kind of textures that match the feeling you want in a room, whether you desire plush warmth and softness for a cozy living room, or cool, smooth surfaces and clean lines for a no-nonsense study. There are many materials from which to choose—natural wooden shades, woven bamboo blinds, cotton or linen curtains, and many more—that can help shape the purpose of a room, and make it much more visually stimulating.
About the Author
Marta Baker is a writer, designer, and an expert in window coverings. Married to an artist, Marta learned to appreciate good design whether it was art, furniture, the written word or a beautifully appointed room. She studied journalism in college and has worked as a writer for nearly 20 years. Marta works at BlindSaver as a senior designer.