Lesson 5: Champagne Results on a Chianti Budget
Window Treatments
Remember in our first Lesson, we talked about function? When you begin considering your window treatments, think first about privacy, view, available light, and energy conservation.
If your window has a glorious view, by all means enhance it by keeping window coverings minimal, with sheer curtains, simple blinds, or leaving them bare. Keep in mind, however, that at night you will not see that view, but neighbors (even distant ones) and passers-by will be able to see into your home. If the view is of the building next-door, or your neighbor's back porch, you'll want to minimize the view and instead feature the window treatment itself as a focal point.
If the window is in a bedroom, you might want to have a window treatment that darkens the room so that morning light does not intrude. On the other hand, rooms that seem dark even on the brightest day need to take advantage of all the natural light possible.
The type of window itself determines to a great extent whether heat is escaping your home, or damaging rays from the sun will fade your carpet. Drapes and curtains will help you to keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer, if lined with if lined with thermal linings.
It's very possible to create inexpensive window treatments that closely resemble the high-end designer creations you see in magazines and on TV. A very inclusive web site from England has instructions for almost any type of drape, curtain, and valances you can imagine: Alternative Windows. A simple curtain idea appears in my article, An Easy Window Treatment.
Window blinds are a popular alternative to curtains or drapes. These can be as expensive as the most complicated custom-made drapes, or as inexpensive as the mini-blinds from Wal-Mart. Among the options available are wood blinds, faux wood blinds, metal, vinyl, and fabric. Styles include horizontal and vertical slatted blinds for almost any size window, Roman shades, shades with thermal or light-blocking liners, shades for unusual shapes or locations, and many more.
Your Blinds.com is a retail web site, but you'll find a wide variety of brand names and styles to give you ideas for your room. In addition, the site gives you instructions for measuring, and caring for your blinds with advice from several manufacturers.
