When it comes to home design, there are a few key elements that help turn a house into a home. Our team at Blue Sky Shutters & Shades believes that the way you dress your windows is one of the most powerful ways to transform a room’s ambiance. The colors, textures, and dimensions of your window treatments can completely change the feel of a space. Wondering what window covering options are available? Our expert designers are here to walk you through the choices, so you can find the perfect style for your home. Let’s get inspired and start your transformation!
Soft Treatments: Fabric Window Coverings
Soft treatments are fabric-based window covering options. These are a popular and versatile choice for dressing windows. These include everything from shades to custom drapery, and are all about creating the right mood and look for your space. The fabric choices, color palette, and style elements work together to bring the entire window area to life. There are quite a few soft window treatments available. Take a look at our recent article featuring 9 different types of window treatments for a deeper explanation.
Types of Soft Treatments
Sheer Fabrics: Ideal for both horizontal and vertical shades, sheer fabrics allow you to maintain a view while softening the sunlight.
Patterns, Prints, and Solids: These fabrics provide coverage for your windows while adding a decorative touch that ties in with your overall design.
Woven Fabrics: Made from materials like cloth, wood, bamboo, or other natural fibers, woven fabrics create texture and depth. The unique weaves and color variations of these fabrics come alive as the light interacts with them, offering a dynamic aesthetic.
Understanding Fabric Opacity
Another important factor to consider when choosing soft treatments is fabric opacity. This refers to how much light is blocked or allowed to pass through the fabric. Some fabric collections use a number system: 0% allows you to see through the shade and 100% is complete light blocking. Others simply refer to the fabrics as light filtering and room darkening to differentiate.
Operating Features for Soft Treatments
The way your soft treatments operate will influence your space’s functionality. Do you prefer a rolling shade or a stacking system? Would you like a dual-shade setup for more light control? You can also opt for lined or unlined fabric options to help with insulation and temperature control. If you aren’t sure what will work best, let our designers talk you through each option during your consultation.
Hard Treatments: Structured Window Coverings
Hard treatments, such as wood, metal, vinyl, and composite materials, are another great option for dressing your windows. Often referred to as the “furniture of the window,” these treatments are made from structured, durable materials.
Materials for Hard Treatments
Wood, vinyl, metal and composite are all options for hard window treatments. When choosing the material, consider the area. Bathrooms may need something more durable and moisture-resistant. Our products are crafted with natural and synthetic elements, with strength and durability being top priorities. The finish on the window treatments is also something to consider; Hunter Douglas coverings are treated with exclusive finishes because long-lasting durability is a top priority.
Operating Features
Hard treatments also offer a variety of operating systems. Manual blinds typically have a wand for adjusting the slats, while motorized options allow you to control the tilt of the slats with the push of a button. Shutters are usually adjusted by using your to adjust the louvers. If you prefer motorization, be sure to check out the Palm Beach collection of vinyl shutters that are controlled with automation.
Layering Window Treatments
Covering your windows is more involved than finding a treatment that will block light or protect your privacy. You also want the design of the treatments to flow with the rest of your home. Layering window coverings is another way to add personal touch to your home design. Drapery that frames your window shades or blinds is a beautiful way to add even more personality to your home. If you like the idea of layering your window treatments, take a look at our blog specifically focused on pairing shades with drapery.
Can You Mix and Match Window Coverings?
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of window covering options. If you want the same treatment on all windows, great! But, you can always mix and match. The key to this is coordinating fabrics and styles so everything looks consistent throughout your home. You don’t have to do this alone—our designers are here to help you through the process. If you’re ready to revamp your windows, let’s talk! Contact our team today at Blue Sky Shutters & Shades to schedule your free, in-home consultation.
