How to determine the best window treatment for your room

It’s week 5 of the One Room Challenge!

This week, things are feeling…a little stuck. Again, I know. Everything is hinging on the countertops which are set to install Monday. So installing lighting and backsplash tile… all of it is just…in limbo while we twiddle our thumbs. This means there can be no set-backs if I am going to complete on time. So we are just a little bit anxious over here wondering how we can pull this all off in just three remaining weeks.

In cased you missed it, here’s previous updates:

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

To take our mind off things, I thought I would share a post on how to determine the best window treatment for your room. Roman shades, drapes and cornices are window treatments that add so much softness and depth to a room, while performing a function. These are stylish alternatives to a slatted blind, which feels a bit like a room gave up on itself, ya know? (If your house is full of blinds, read on for how to incorporate these beautifully in your home)

Below I will share how each of these options will impact the mood, size and function of your room.

How to determine the best window treatment for your room

Shades and Blinds

Shades and blinds are great for small rooms as they allow more of the wall and floor to be exposed, creating the feeling of spaciousness.

round desk with ottoman seating - Hausmatter interiors

See more of this room here

A Roman Shade (as pictured below) functions similarly to a blind, but because it is made of fabric, gets extra points in the style-department. You have the option to mount them on the outside of your window trim, or on the inside for a more tailored look. They can be lined for sun control and added privacy, or unlined to allow sunlight to pass through. These range from $100-$800 per window depending on the fabric, size and trim details.

Slatted blinds range from a few dollars to $200 each and are typically made of wood, vinyl, metal or plastic. These can be wiped clean, making them easier to maintain than fabric options that require dry cleaning. They can be great used in conjunction with a drape for even more versatility. Lately, people have been reaching for cellular shades more and more as a replacement to blinds due to how evenly they diffuse light without blocking it.

pink and brown bedroom with roman shade - Hausmatter Interiors

See more of this room here

Occasionally, I will install a bamboo blind, the closest you’ll find me arrive to a slatted blind, along with drapery. This adds a bit of texture and warmth, while filtering some of the light. These do NOT provide privacy.

bamboo blind with drape - Hausmatter Interiors

In this child’s room, I used a roman shade with black-out lining to ensure the bright, early evening sun could be blocked.

pink and mustard little girls bedroom - Hausmatter Interiors

See more of this room here

Drapery Panels/curtains

Long, flowing drapes give the feeling of luxury to a room. They also draw the walls in, making the room feel cozy - an ideal choice for bedrooms and living rooms.

Drapes are great for anchoring a large piece of furniture, like a sofa or bed.

green living room - Hausmatter Interiors

Or adding color to a room with white or neutral walls..

kilim rug in dining room - Hausmatter Interiors

How much do drapes cost? Ready-made options can be quite affordable at around $30 per panel. Custom options can range from $500 to well over the $1k mark for designer options. This is due to the amount of fabric needed to make one single panel. Pleats and trim details will increase these costs. Is it worth it? In my experience, so much yes. I have drapery panels I’ve moved into 4 different houses. Because they aren’t fitted into the window, like a shade, they can potentially work with many other window sizes. In fact, I’ve even added blocks of fabric to make mine longer in houses with higher ceilings. I love how much they can feel like wallpaper in a room without the commitment.

Drapes can be lined, or unlined. Drapery rods and hardware are sold separately, so will increase the cost and labor to install. Drapes with grommets do not require pins and rings, but the look is not as elevated.

Painted striped wall with matching drapes- Hausmatter Interiors

Velvet adds a soft texture to a room that feels warm and inviting. Pro-tip: the ready-made velvet options feel way more expensive than they are. ;)

West Asheville Airbnb - Hausmatter Interiors

Should you spend extra to have them lined?

More often than not, yes. Particularly if your room gets a lot of sun or has single pane windows. The investment will more than pay for itself in utility savings. The lining also gives added structure to thinner fabrics like silk.

The exception being sheer fabrics. These are ideal in rooms that are fairly dark, and already have energy efficient windows. They will diffuse some light but block very little of it. These should not be used if privacy is needed. Remember, even in a dark room, your panels should rest entirely on the outside of the window frame, so a lined panel should not make your room darker when it is open.

Oregano Green Benjamin Moore - Hausmatter Interiors

See more of this Asheville NC Airbnb

How to install a drape (the do’s and don’t’s)

Don’t mount the drapes to your window trim. Always mount your drape rod brackets onto the wall, at least 12” to the outside of your window trim. This will ensure you can fully expose the window when the curtain is open. If your room is extra small, consider installing the drapery the full length of the wall for added impact. In fact, drapes can be great illusory techniques for hiding or elongating things so use them to your advantage!
Do this trick: To increase the feeling of height in your room, consider installing them as close to the ceiling as possible, but they should at least mount halfway between the top of the window and your ceiling.
Do make sure your drapes either just barely skim the floors, or puddle a bit on the floor for a richer look.
Don’t skimp on width. As a rule of thumb, you want the width of the panel to be 2 times the width of the window, at the very least. When in doubt, go with extra width to ensure you get plenty of those yummy pleats.
Don’t use a café rod to install a drape. Ensure the rod you are using will support the weight of your drapes. Install an additional supportive bracket in the middle of your rod if needed to prevent sagging.
Do feel free to combine both a blind and drape for even more use options. However, the costs can really add up. I’ve found a fabric window treatment that’s lined, does not require a blind at all. Just be sure the fabrics you choose can withstand sun fading if you are using them in a room with a lot of natural light exposure.

Geometric drapes with pink console - Hausmatter Interiors

In a room with a bold, dark color, I will often reach for a white drape just to give the eye a break and create some contrast.

Ralph Lauren Iron Blue - Hausmatter interiors

See more of this room here

Consider a cornice to add pattern and color to a room without blocking light. These are boxy, architectural-like window treatments that cover the top of the window. In rooms with low ceilings, I like to install them above the window to give the illusion the window is taller than it is. Kitchen and bathroom windows are great places to select a cornice window treatment as these are both areas you don’t want fabric reaching the countertop or floor.

cornice in bathroom - Hausmatter Interiors

These are purely decorative and can be used with or without additional window coverings. They are either attached to a piece of wood, or installed with special mounting hardware that allows them to protrude about 4” from the wall. This allows you to have room for your drapes if using.

Cornice with drapes - Hausmatter Interiors

Know when a window treatment isn’t needed at all

Sometimes less is more. This client said they didn’t need privacy or sun control in this dining room, so I opted to leave this beautiful black grid window fully exposed.