New Paragraph
Beyond Design: Choosing Window Treatments for Your Home
January 15, 2025
When building a new house, adding an addition to an existing home, or even doing major renovations, the choices are endless.
As experts in window treatment design, we see many homeowners having ideas about colors, textures, and other aesthetic choices for their window treatments when they first contact us. While these design visions are a great start, homeowners should consider different factors contributing to the best options for window treatments.
Explore some of these factors to help homeowners, especially those on the fence between options.
Sleeping Habits
Good sleep can be hard to come by. Most of us prefer how we like to sleep: while some need complete darkness, others prefer artificial or natural light.
If you are remodeling bedrooms or want to refresh the space, keep your sleep preferences in mind.
Motorized Roman shades with timer capabilities are convenient for sleepers who like to wake up at sunrise. You can program the shades to open at a specific time beforehand.
On the other end of the spectrum, those who prefer total darkness or work nights and sleep during the days might opt for a shade with a blackout effect.
Parenting Considerations
Can parenting affect how you design your home and pick out window treatments?
Of course!
Many parents today encourage their children to limit their screen time, and natural light shining through the house can be a subtle but important reminder of the world outside the screen.
If you have children or grandchildren who enjoy playing outside or nearby with neighbors, big windows with a spacious vantage point can help you keep an eye out for the kids.
On the other hand, privacy can be important when raising children, so it may be best to have window treatments that allow flexibility. Roman shades and blinds are helpful options for this need.
Pet Ownership
Sharing your space with a furry friend is another factor to consider when building or remodeling a home.
For dog owners, having windows that give a clear view of the backyard ensures that Fido and his friends aren't causing too much trouble.
Cat owners may not allow their cats to be outside, but if they know their feline friends tend to climb, a sturdy window shade may be better than a low-hanging drapery.
You may not want to pick a window treatment solely for a pet, as animals are unpredictable. However, considering pet behaviors is just one piece of the puzzle when choosing the best window treatment design for your project.
House Plants
Are you a plant fanatic? If you or someone in your household loves house plants, this could be another factor to consider when you pick out window treatments.
Certain plants may do better in direct or partial sunlight; while this likely shouldn't be a deal breaker for picking a window treatment, it is another factor you may want to consider if you know which plants will be by the window.
Motorized Roman shades can be an excellent choice in rooms where you want the option for partial sunlight and partial covering.
Entertainment and Hobbies
It's a great blessing when we have the resources to curate space in our homes for hobbies and interests.
For instance, families who enjoy watching movies or playing video games together may be interested in building or renovating an entertainment space.
If you have an existing interior room in your house, this can be an excellent setup for these rooms where you don't want too much natural light. If the room will have a window, consider shutters or a blackout shade to keep the light out.
You and your family may have other interests that could shape which window treatment you choose for a room, such as flexible light for a photo studio, privacy for a home gym, or lots of natural light for an art studio.
How you plan to use a room can influence the design of the window treatments!
Home Offices
If you've ever had to set up a makeshift "work from home" setup at the kitchen table or in the basement, you know the value of having a comfortable, productive workspace. Whether building a new house and planning to include a home office or renovating an existing room, how you design the office is crucial.
Do you enjoy having windows open and natural light while you work? Or do the distractions of what's happening outside interfere with your concentration? Use these questions as a guide when choosing a window treatment for your home office.
A shade or shutter may be better if you work best in a secluded, focused environment.
Lighter drapery or Roman shades work well if you need natural light to feel energized while working.
A Sense of Privacy
A sense of privacy is one of the most important parts of owning a home.
Ideally, you and your family feel safe and comfortable throughout your space. However, you may often have windows facing into another home, facing out on a busy street, etc.
These situations are where window treatments come in. For areas where you want to prioritize privacy, consider options such as shutters, Roman shades, or other window treatments that can shut out the view when necessary.
Work With Proctor Drapery
At Proctor Drapery, we believe in the power of personalized service and collaboration.
Michael Proctor is our Window Design Specialist with over 50 years of experience. He knows this business inside and out and is ready to work directly with homeowners, interior designers, and property managers from the initial concept to the completion of your next project.
Contact us today if you're looking for custom drapery, blinds, shutters, and more in Greater St. Louis!
Find Out How We Can Help Treat Your Windows!
