Making the right window treatment choice

One quick way to give your home a quick makeover is to change the window treatments. Not only that, choosing the right window treatments can do everything from saving on your energy bills to help you sleep better.

But, where to start? We’ve got five tips on picking the right window treatments for your home.

Functionality first

Before you start thinking about style, you first need to determine what the functionality of the treatment will be in each room. Here is a quick checklist:

• Do you want window treatments that ensure complete privacy?
• You will need curtains with lining. If you live in a condo or apartment complex, make sure your lining is approved by the community.
• Do you want total darkness? This can be great for bedrooms that get unwanted morning light or that have a lot of light pollution outside.
• You’ll want to get lined curtains for total light shut-out. The lining can also prevent carpet and furniture from fading.
• Do you want a little light to come through?
• Stick with non-lined, lighter curtains or blinds.

Length

• Unless there is a radiator, floor-length is the direction you’ll want to go. Measure from the floor to where you’ll put the curtain rod.
• Hitting the floor is the most traditional look. The fabric should just touch the floor or half an inch above the floor.
• The other option is breaking slightly on the floor. This year we’ve seen a lot of people choosing to extend their curtains 1–3 inches. This can look a little more casual while keeping a traditional look.

Where to hang them from

Most window treatment experts recommend hanging brackets above and on the outside of the window molding.

Rods

• You’ll want to stick to return rods or track rods. Avoid tension rod; they don’t offer the support most curtains need.
• Return Rods are the adjustable U-shaped rod that screws into the wall. These are great if you want to block out all light.
• Track rods attach to pulleys on a track. They can be installed on the wall or the ceiling. These make curtains easy to close and open.

Color

First, make sure you choose a color that goes with the rest of the room. Match your fabric against furniture, floors, and paint. If you want to have a seamless look in the room, pick colors that are in the same color family as the walls. If you have a large area of window treatment, it’s best to think of it like painting another wall; the color will be a dominant feature in your room.

Need a hand with window treatments? Our service providers can help.