Window Treatments: Which One Should You Get?

Maybe you just bought your first house. Maybe you’re looking to refresh an existing space. Regardless of the reasoning, you're new in the world of window treatments.

At Budget Blinds, we can help. We can answer the biggest question you've probably got -- What is a window treatment? We can also help you with other information once they're installed, such as how to clean window treatments.

We know this isn't all you want to know though. You also want to know why you want custom window treatments and the differences between curtains and drapes. Let's face it, you've got a ton of questions. Here are answers to three of the most common.

What kind of window treatments are in style?

There are a lot of options for style. For the past few years, one of the most popular styles has been tone-on-tone layering. This means you'll choose one color and use different tones. You won't be overwhelmed by having too many colors! Instead, add interesting tones, not color overload. Another popular option is pastel neutrals. You can use shades of coral, lavender, and mint green to create unexpected visions.

Boldness. That's another great option for your window treatment. You'll use bold prints or subtle, but interesting, construction. Regardless of how you do it, you'll be able to make it your own. For example, don't choose standard vanes. Instead, use geometric patterns. However, be careful to not overwhelm the space.

Unsurprisingly, fully automated window treatments are popular. With the increasing use of smart technology, you can have remote control access or voice control access. Similarly, cord-free options are increasingly popular, not to mention, safer.

What are the three types of window treatments?

You can divide window treatments into three types:

• Hard
• Soft
• Layered

The types aren't hard to understand. Hard window treatments include: wood and vinyl blinds are an example. A soft window treatment is one that uses soft materials, such as curtains, Roman shades, or drapes. A layered window treatment uses both hard and soft window treatments.

What type of window treatments are best for the kitchen?

The kitchen is one of the most well-loved rooms in the home. Family gatherings and parties always seem to culminate in the kitchen. Even when you don't want them to! An inviting kitchen is a place of magnetism and stylish window treatments are a great way to enhance that. But there are some things you should consider when deciding on window treatments for your kitchen, such as:

• Where are the windows located?
• How much do you use your kitchen?

If your windows are near the sink, the window treatment may get wet. If they're near the stove, they may get steam or grease splatters. If they're near food prep areas, such as counters, they may get hit with food. In these "high-risk" areas, you may want to consider faux wood or vinyl window treatment options. This is because of their high durability and ease of maintenance and cleaning.

If the windows are in a "low-risk" area, you can also consider soft or layered window treatments. If you're a frequent cook or in a climate where it's frequently hot, you might want to consider cellular shades. These shades are energy-efficient and help your kitchen stay comfortable throughout the year.

Cellular shades are great options because they have extra insulation. As a result, you have more control over the temperature in your kitchen and your energy consumption is lower. Modern Roman shades are classy and elegant. In a Roman shade, you get the softness you expect from drapery and crispness you expect from blinds. Modern kitchens often have few colors, if any. Roman shades help offset that by offering colors, unique patterns, and textures. In many options, you can add a room-darkening lining to really emphasize colors and control temperatures.

If your kitchen is full of hard surfaces and modern fixtures, sheer shadings are great for transforming harshness into softness. You can have the vanes open, which lets light be diffused and in your kitchen. You'll also get daytime privacy. Like with other options, you can add a room darkening roller shade to get more privacy and temperature control.

Woven wood shades are popular options for adding texture and style as well. Woven wood shades are made of grasses, bamboo, jute, or reeds. If you get a lot of sun, textured roller shades are great options because of their durability, ease of cleaning, and ability to maintain their shape. This means there is less chance of them stretching, fading, bowing, or breaking. If you prefer the look of a woven shade you can add a lining to filter the sun and glare. You'll enjoy the benefits of privacy and the liner highlights the texture of the natural fibers of the shades. If you elect to have the liner operate independently of the front shade, you've got even more control over the lighting in your kitchen. 

The last option is for the "high-risk" areas. In these areas, you'll want to use faux wood for its durability and ease of cleaning. You'll get the look of real wood, down to realistic grain patterns, but they won't fade, warp, bow, or yellow. You just clean them with soap and water. If you choose shutters, as opposed to blinds, they won't warp, chip, crack, discolor, or peel, even if they're positioned in extreme heat or high levels of moisture. Both of these options are great for the frequent cook or the person that wants to ensure their blinds or shutters stay looking great for years.

Window treatments. Who knew there were so many different options? Who knew you could mix soft and hard treatments? At Budget Blinds, we can help you decide the best option for you. Schedule a free consultation today.