Simple Checklist to the Perfect New Window Treatments by Room

So, you’re ready to buy new window treatments!  Choose treatments that fit your home and your needs.

When new home buyers ask me about window covering options, I tell them your window treatments should be beautiful and enhance the appearance of the room.  They also need to give you the right lighting and privacy.  That is why it’s important to give each room consideration before you buy new blinds and shades.

Room-by-Room checklist for new window treatments

1.  Kitchen

Currently, kitchens are places to cook, eat, and entertain. And because of the popularity of open floor plans, kitchens may segue into living rooms and dining rooms without much separation. Finding the right new window treatments for this area of your home can be a challenge.  Here are some tips that can help.

Let the light in with sheer shades.

In the kitchen and living areas, where privacy is not as much of a concern, consider designing with  Sheer Shades.  Not only are they the ultimate in elegance and luxury, but sheer shades are a seamless blend of light control and style. Imagine two layers of sheer fabrics to protect your room from the sun’s damaging UV rays.  Combine those layers with soft fabric vanes, and you have the ultimate light control. In fact, sheer shades are made for the most demanding of styles, giving your windows a clean, crisp appearance with stunning sophistication.

Get blinds and shades that are easily cleaned and maintained.

Kitchens get messy, and some of that mess can end up on your new window treatments. If your windows are near heat and water sources or in spill-prone areas, consider faux wood blinds or aluminum blinds for easy cleanup and maintenance.

Composite Plantation Shutters work beautifully in kitchens.

They are the top-selling window treatment for many homes in the DFW area.  Shutters add elegance and warmth to homes, while also providing privacy.  They are perfect for any style – modern, traditional, or rustic.  With a variety of styles, colors, finishes, and materials, there is something for everyone. They are an excellent choice but choose composite shutters if your windows are near sources of heat or water.  Composite shutters are very durable and will last a long time.  For an extra WOW factor, combine a cornice or top treatments with your plantation shutters in your kitchen.

Aluminum Blinds for a different vibe.

Our aluminum blinds are uniquely modern, and due to their unique look, they can add a metallic vibe to a kitchen. They are perfect for hard-working spaces like over prep-sinks or soaking tubs. So, splash away!  A simple twist of the wrist opens or closes the view. Choose from a rainbow of colors.  So simple and colorful, voila, you have an instant design on a dime.

2.  Dining Room

Dining rooms frequently demand an elevated décor and level of elegance that other areas don’t always need.

Use Roman shades, wood blinds, or plantation shutters.

The vast variety of colors, textures, and patterns of Roman shades means you’ll have an easy time finding the right match. Traditional wood blinds and shutters are also great options for many dining rooms.  The rich stains and textures of wood blinds and shutters add to the room’s appeal.

Cordless options offer a smooth, custom look.

Consider cordless Roman shades and wood blinds. These are safer for children and pets, but also adds to the custom look.

Draperies can be very elegant or casual in a dining or breakfast room.

Custom draperies and soft treatments have the power to transform the entire look and feel of a room by adding a sophisticated sense of comfort and warmth.

3.  Living Room

Most people spend a lot of time in their living room. Because you likely spend many hours in your living room, purchase window treatments that are right for your specific needs.

Go for room darkening shades for more comfortable TV viewing and reading.

Room darkening and blackout blinds and shades help significantly reduce the amount of bright light that enters your living room, making TV viewing and reading more enjoyable.

Consider privacy blinds if your living room is near the street or sidewalk.

In many neighborhoods, the living room is the room closest to the street or sidewalk. That can leave you feeling uneasy, especially at night when the inside of your home is lit up, making it easy to see inside from the outdoors. Privacy window treatments, such as route-less blinds, can give you peace of mind.

Motorized shades are perfect in the living room.

Are you looking for an easy way to control the light?  Do you need to access hard-to-reach windows?  Maybe you just need a convenient way to open and close shades in virtually any room setting.  If so, motorized window treatments are the ultimate solution. By adding motorization to your window treatments, you will be able to open one shade at a time, or multiple windows all at once.  Add to your home’s comfort, security, and convenience with the touch of a button!

Drapery Panels can add a soft touch to a living room.

Layer drapery panels over blinds and shades.  Drapery panels add color and help move your eye around the room.  They are the perfect finishing touch to a living room.  They also help absorb sound making it easier to hear conversations in spaces with wood flooring.

4.  Bedroom

You spend one-third of your life in bed.  Having the right new window treatments installed in your bedroom is essential for getting a good night’s sleep.

Choose room darkening options.

If light control and privacy are of the utmost importance in your bedroom, you can’t go wrong with room darkening shades. You may want to protect your privacy while still allowing in natural sunshine during the day and evening. Top down/bottom up shades make it easy to fill your bedroom with sunlight preventing anyone from seeing inside your room.

Motorized draperies make your bedroom a real retreat.

If you have trouble sleeping with light from street lamps slipping into your room all night, then full-length drapes or shades with a blackout liner are essential in bedrooms.  If your neighbors are very close, you may also want to cover your main windows with full-length sheer curtains. Draw them during the day for added privacy.  Adding motorized draperies or other treatments in your bedroom are a necessary luxury in your master retreat.

Consider purchasing thick blinds, shades or shutters that block outside noises.

If there’s anything less conducive to sleep than the blinding morning sun, it’s outside noises. Whether you live in the middle of a busy and loud downtown area or near a heavily trafficked road, constant noise from car horns, ambulances, and conversations can make it hard to sleep. Thick new window treatments help add an extra layer of insulation and soundproofing between the outside and your ears, muffling loud noises and silencing others.

5.  Child’s Bedroom

Children use their bedrooms for sleeping, playing and working, so it follows that their space should be a reflection of their little personalities.  The window coverings for children’s rooms require special consideration.  Safety must be of paramount importance.  Consider privacy and light concerns.  Then, have fun with them.  The windows of a child’s room are an excellent place to complement a theme.

Cordless Blinds or Shades

First, start with a base of shades or blinds to allow for privacy and light-filtering.  Be sure to choose cordless new window treatments since they are the safest for young children.

Draperies for enhancing a theme

Layer blinds or shades with drapes to further build on your color theme.

6.  Bathroom

Choosing window treatments for one’s bathroom can be a difficult task. Many homeowners want to create a beautifully decorated, spa-like bath that takes advantage of natural light.

Faux Wood Blinds

Blinds are a great bathroom window treatment option as they come in a variety of colors and materials to suit your needs. Furthermore, they are incredibly durable and can stand up to the bathroom environment. Also, they are extremely quick and easy to use and can be opened or closed with the pull of a cord.

Composite Shutters

Plantation shutters are another bathroom window treatment option. Homeowners have been adding plantation shutters to their windows for years due to the way that they can add to rooms look and provide an elegant feel. The availability of faux wood plantation shutters can make them a fantastic addition to any bathroom.

Roman shades

Fabric Roman shades are another excellent option for bathroom window treatments, particularly for those who want to add their personality to their bathroom décor. They can be made out of many different fabrics, making the options available to you for material, color, pattern, and design seemingly endless!

Top Down/BottomUp Cellular Shades

Cellular Shades are one of the most versatile window coverings in today’s market. These shades feature a honeycomb construction to provide both fashion and energy efficiency. Raise and lower the shades as needed for light control and privacy with a pull cord.  Or utilize our cordless feature. The Top Down/BottomUp feature enhances the privacy and light control benefits of these shades.

Faux Iron Grilles

Faux Iron  Grilles are beautiful on the windows and skylights as well as used as room dividers.  They give any bathroom an extra WOW factor!

Click here for a significant confidence boost in decorating your rooms.

Lana Smith is the owner of Made in the Shade Blinds North DFW and specializes in helping those buying or building new homes in the Dallas/Fort Worth area confidently choose the best window coverings for their budget and lifestyle.