Don't Forget the Window Coverings!
During many of my interior design consultations, I meet with clients who do not want to disrupt their view or natural light with window coverings. Logically, I understand this, yet from a creative side I often struggle with this request. Perhaps it has something to do with my upbringing in New England, where we not only used window coverings for aesthetic or privacy purposes, but for warmth during the bitter cold winters? In my opinion, window coverings bring together the entire look and feel of a room and must never be forgotten.
I realize it can become an overwhelming process for many people when deciding on window coverings that meet all of their needs. As an interior designer, we have additional resources to choose from that are not available to retail customers and can guide you through the process to make the right choice that meets your style and design needs. Hiring an interior designer may not fit within everyone’s budget, so I wanted to offer some quick tips and ideas to assist you in choosing the right window coverings for your home.
- Roman Shades – These are versatile and timeless shades that you can add onto years later when you want to change the look of a room again – that’s the beauty of roman shades! Simply put, roman shades are an updated version of the very outdated mini blinds, and sit inside the window frame. Another option is an outside mount roman shade, which hangs above the window and will not interfere with a view if hung inches above the window frame.
- Draperies – There is a lot of flexibility with custom draperies and if your budget allows, I would highly recommend investing in them. Side panels or full drapes with sheers or roman shades underneath provide an instant impact to any room and some warmth on cold damp days. Purchasing draperies from retail outlets is a good idea, yet I caution you to be sure of your exact window measurements prior to purchasing, and allow for additional inches on the outside and above the window. While hung, draperies should hit ½ - 1” above the floor, unless you’d like them to puddle.
- Rod Placement – A rod should be placed as close to the ceiling as possible, especially in older homes with 7’ or 8’ ceilings. More often than not, I see rods attached to the window molding itself or directly above. Naturally, this depends on the size of the ceiling, but the goal is to create the feeling of additional height in the room.
- Drapery Rods – A unique rod can provide a touch of whimsy and flare to the overall effect of draperies. Budget often determines your options with rods, yet I advise investing in continuous rods to prevent breaks or bending over time.
There are a lot of options and guidance available to you in bringing cohesiveness, beauty and warmth to any room in your home with draperies.