Purposes of window treatments: Just to recap, people purchase window treatments for 1.) Beautification and Comfort, 2.) Privacy, 3.) Light Control, 4.) Sound Absorption, 5.) Protection of furniture and floors from sun damage, and 6.) Insullation. 

 

When it comes to function my customers talk about light control the most. There are different kinds of light control issues. The most prevalent is sleep disturbance. For this reason many people put blackout treatments in bedrooms, that is, treatments that let in no light at all.  Draperies can be lined with blackout lining, and there are many types of blinds and shades with blackout capability.  Honeycomb shades are the most common ones used. One can also use Roman shades, ones that are either commercially made or custom Romans made with a fabric of your choice and blackout lining. Specialty shades, such as Hunter Douglas Pirouettes,  can also have room darkening capacity.

 

What if you are in a room where you want to be able to look out while keeping the sun at bay? Blinds can be a perfect solution; wood blinds can be let down with the slats open or partially open, as can Hunter Douglas Silhouettes, a soft blind with sheer fabric on both sides. Woven wood shades can also limit the amount of light that comes in and these come in a wide variety of textures and colors which are enhanced by sunlight. Also, screen shades are becoming  popular for residential use.  For many years these were used mostly in commercial applications and you have probably seen them in restaurants, especially those with large windows. Screen shades come in with different "openness" factors; a screen with 14% openness lets in light through 14% of the shade while one with 3% lets in light through 3% of the shades. You can still see through it. Some screen shades can also be used outdoors on patios. Most "hard" treatments, that is is, blinds and shades can be installed with a "soft treatments.  Beauty and comfort! 

 

Decorating Tip: Enhance your draperies. A tassel fringe or decorative tape can be applied to the leading edge, as can a three to five inch piece of contrast fabric. I recently saw an idea in a magazine that I love. Half of the panel is a print and half is a complementing solid. Think about what you like and really customize your treatments.