Five Mistakes to Avoid When You’re Looking for New Window Treatments

When you’re shopping for new window treatments, there is a lot to consider: the size, the style, the fabrics, the installation, and who you’re going to hire to do it all. At Budget Blinds of Tempe, we see a few mistakes time and time again, so we wanted to make a blog to help new window treatment shoppers do it right the first time. 

1. Taking the Wrong Measurements

Windows are tricky things to measure. You can’t just get the length and width of your window frame and expect to be done with it. That’s why a Budget Blinds of Tempe expert will come to your home and measure everything for you to ensure accuracy. 

For now though, if you want to do it at home before you go into a home improvement store or before you give us a call (623-303-4515), then we have a few tips for you too. Firstly, always use an aluminum or steel measuring tape because it will provide you with a more accurate measurement than a cloth measuring tape. 

Secondly, determine what type of mount you want: inside or outside the frame. Interior mounts are more common for window coverings like shades and blinds, while outside mounts are more for shutters (in some cases), and curtains and drapes.

Always measure three times. Measure across the top, the middle, and the bottom, and use the smallest number. Then measure the height of the window in the same fashion. 

Do this for every window as they are not guaranteed to be the same size! 

2. Choosing the Wrong Material

We see it all the time — someone chooses wood or woven wood based on the sample and the actual product doesn’t match. While we always let our customers know that this might happen due to the different patterns and weaves, it is a common mistake. Sometimes, the swatch doesn’t tell the full story. 

On top of that, the wrong material can cost you a lot of money. For example, natural wood shutters are beautiful and one of the most timeless additions you can make to your home. However, wood is very finicky. It can warp due to excessive moisture and heat, or crack due to cold. It’s not for every room or every climate. 

Additionally, wood treatments tend to absorb smells over time. That means they can smell like last week’s dinner or like your bathroom if you place them in too close of proximity to those areas. 

3. Leaving Your Windows Bare

This is a huge decorating no-no. Bare windows not only leave your home open to prying eyes, but also to higher energy bills. In fact, about 30% of your home’s energy is lost through your windows. This can be heavily reduced depending on your window treatments! 

On top of that, blinds and shades provide crucial privacy, which means you’ll never have to see your neighbors and, conversely, they never have to see you. It also increases your home security and your peace of mind, knowing that the interior of your home and your family are shielded from the outside world. 

Finally, window treatments protect your furniture and your flooring. They block the sun’s UV rays, which can cause colors to fade and whites to turn yellow overtime. 

4. Choosing the Wrong Mount

Not all treatments will look good if they’re mounted inside of your frame, and not all are meant to be mounted outside of them (or above them) either. Beyond that, the method at which you mount your window treatments also affects the final look. 

Interior mounts have a tighter appearance, meaning they are more compact, while outside frames can help your window feel larger. 

Thankfully, if you don’t like it, mounts are one of the easier things to change. You can consider covering interior mounts with a valance, or simply relocating the mounts. Note: this is a fairly simple process for most window treatments, with the exception of shutters. 

5. You Forget About Curb Appeal

Every homeowner thinks about how the inside of their home will look with their new shades, but what about the outside?  Mismatched window treatments or clashing colors can detract from your home’s curb appeal, so keep consistency in mind when deciding on blinds and shades. 

This doesn’t mean you have to compromise! At Budget Blinds of Tempe, we offer hundreds of different colors and styles, including the addition of liners to most of our shades, so you will never have to worry about curb appeal. 

Ready to start your home journey? Visit us online to schedule your free design consultation!