Shades are a type of window dressing that can be functional for any setting. A shade will roll out of sight when you want to enjoy your view and provide excellent privacy at night. If you have a beautiful seaside, garden, or mountain view, you want to be able to enjoy it unobstructed. Watch this video to see if you’re up to the task: It’s easy to make your own roman shades if you have a sewing machine and a bit of experience sewing by hand. If you use a printed fabric on your roman shades, choose one that pulls in colors from the rest of the room for a cohesive result. A dark-colored roman shade provides excellent privacy, while a lighter-colored fabric allows some light to filter in. Choose a type of fabric that complements the rest of the room. Roman shades look great with traditional, modern, shabby chic and many other types of décor. Some consist of both types of fabrics for extra flexibility. They come in a huge range of beautiful fabric choices, and can be light-filtering or room-darkening, depending on your needs. Roman blinds or shades are a good compromise between plain shades and curtains. A woven natural fiber roller shade can stand on its own, or provide privacy when hung behind drapes or sheer curtain panels. Even so, most environmentally-conscious homeowners feel it’s worth it. Living room window treatments made from natural fabric may be more expensive than those made from synthetic materials.
Hang a natural fiber roman shade on each dining room or kitchen window frame to eat in an environment free of formaldehyde or VOC emitting chemicals. Manufacturers make these budget blinds, shades, and drapes from wood, bamboo, cotton, linen, or hemp. Natural fibers are popular for window treatments because they are sustainable, recyclable, non-toxic, and affordable.
Sliding panel track shades or panel blinds provide the light control and privacy your large windows need. But one type of window treatment is designed specifically for expansive windows. If you have large picture windows in your home, many window treatment ideas won’t work on such a large scale. Sliding/Rolling Panels Window Treatment Ideas Shutters work well on bay window panels and are a popular kitchen window treatment in breakfast nooks. Wood shutters are an excellent choice for kitchen window treatments, especially when the finish matches the cabinets. Dark wood stained shutters add traditional elegance to a matching wood-paneled office or den. White is the classic color for shutters, but real wood or faux wood shutters are also popular.
Shutters usually install with hinges between the panels, so you can fold them open for an unobstructed view outside. Narrow slats provide a more refined look, but thicker, wider slats are more durable. The louvers, or slats, on window shutters vary in width. Shutters are great for providing privacy on the lower part of a window while leaving the top window panes uncovered. Conversely, some shutters have fixed louvers that cannot tip up or down. Plantation shutters have louvers that can angle up or down to control light flow, or completely closed to darken the room. Shutters are a classic window treatment style, particularly in the south or in oceanside communities. Window Shutters/Louvers Window Treatment Ideas Browse our carefully selected assortment of photos and see which options will look best in your own beautiful home. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of window treatments available today. The right window treatments can turn an ordinary room into a cozy, welcoming space. They can also serve as frames surrounding a beautiful outdoor view. Also, artfully placed valances or draperies can create the illusion of taller ceilings. Your choice of window covering affects how much shade and privacy your room will have. When narrowing down your window treatment ideas, be sure to consider functionality as much as style. Today, custom window treatment options are virtually unlimited. From shutters and blinds to flowing panels of luxurious fabric, the way we dress our windows showcases our personal style. Interior designers agree: A room is not complete without window treatments. More than just a barrier for light and sound, a well-chosen set of curtains will help determine the mood of a room.