A Quick Guide to Buy Window Coverings
Feb 18, 2022Window coverings play a massive role in setting the mood and atmosphere of interior space. For most of us, they’re an element of interior design that is added after everything else has already been set. This is a good practice as it helps you get coverings that really complement your interior design. Window coverings seem pretty simple, but once you dive into the world of window treatments, you will find yourself neck-deep in options. While it’s a good thing to have so many types of window coverings to choose from, it can also make things difficult. Our guide to buying window coverings is going to take you through a quick crash course about the various types of window coverings and what factors you need to consider when buying them.
Whether you’re someone totally new to the world of window treatments and you’re wondering to yourself that what are window coverings, or you’re someone who knows what you want but are confused about how to choose the right window coverings for your interior space, we’re here to help you out. By the end of our buying guide, you will be feeling a lot more confident about picking the best window coverings. You will also have a better idea about how much do window coverings cost and what are the best window coverings for your interior space.
Before we get into the key factors, let’s quickly go through the various options available for you.
TYPES OF WINDOW COVERINGS
Window coverings come in many styles. Each style has its own look, feel, and functionality. All these choices make figuring out how to choose window coverings for your home tricky. Fortunately, the answer to this question will depend on the three factors that we just mentioned. It all comes down to what will suit your interior space and will also feel practical to use. Remember, window coverings aren’t just supposed to look good; they’re supposed to be functional as well.
1- Drapes:
Drapes are great for giving a classic and elegant look. These floor-length panels of fabric are hung from a rod that gets attached to your wall.
2- Shades:
Shades are more or less the same as drapes; they’ve large panels of fabric as well that are hung from a rod installed in your wall. However, their lifting mechanism is different. Instead of being pulled to the side like drapes, they have a corded pulley system that’s used to pull them up.
3- Curtains:
Curtains are basically a shorter and lighter version of drapes. They’re made from lighter, often translucent, fabric and don’t have any structure.
4- Blinds:
Blinds are made of vanes made either from stiff materials such as plastic or wood. They have a lifting mechanism similar to shades but give you added light control. Apart from completely lifting them up, you can adjust the angle of the vanes while the blinds are still down.
Each of these types has its own sub-categories and design choices. The cost of your window covering option will depend on what style and material you go for. There’s a lot to explore; you even have the option to get custom window coverings designed and installed if you cannot find something that you like. Custom window coverings are a great option for people looking for something unique. Bear in mind that custom window coverings often cost more than to-go options.
5 KEY FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING WINDOW COVERINGS
1- Privacy:
Window coverings let us enjoy having plenty of windows without compromising our privacy. The amount of privacy that you desire will play a role in determining what style and type suit you the most. If you have larger windows that give a clear view of your interior, you may want to get privacy window coverings such as shades or drapes.
2- Light Control:
Natural light can really change the look and feel of your interior space. But you don’t want your interior to be flooded with daylight all the time. Window coverings let us control the amount of light entering our interior spaces. Window covering options such as blinds and sheer shades are ideal for light control. You can adjust their vanes in order to control the amount of natural lighting flowing into your room.
3- Style:
As we’ve mentioned before, there are loads of design choices when it comes to window coverings. You need to go for something that complements the rest of your interior design. It’s important that your overall window covering style should remain consistent throughout your interior.
You can try setting a design theme in your home; you can use roman shades for larger windows and vertical blinds for smaller ones. Setting color and style theme is a great way to get the most out of your window treatments.
4- Functionality:
Your window coverings should be able to fulfill all your expectations; they aren’t just supposed to be decorations. This is why it’s essential to figure out what you want from your window coverings before you buy them. If you want window coverings that look good and also block light, you can go for roman shades or blinds with wider vanes.
Depending on the kind of material you use, your window coverings can also help insulate your home. Materials such as thicker fabrics and thermal insulators can make window coverings energy efficient as well.
5- Shape and Size of Your Windows:
The shape and size of your windows play a significant role in determining what kind of coverings will suit you. Certain types of window coverings look better on smaller windows, and some types look better on larger ones.
Vertical window coverings such as vertical blinds and sliding blinds look great on taller windows. If you have wider windows, you can consider dressing them with roller shades or roman style shades since these always look good on larger windows. There are loads of different options that you can choose from. It’s a good idea to go for custom window coverings for oddly designed windows.
CONCLUSION
Window coverings can be tricky to buy because of all the choices out there. Hopefully, after going through our guide to buying window coverings, you should have an easier time figuring out what suits you best. If you’re still feeling confused, you can always get in touch with us to learn more. We will be able to help with how to choose window coverings that are not only good looking and functional but are also cost-effective. Cheers!