The right window treatments do far more than provide privacy and protect your home from the hot afternoon sun—but are your treatments old-fashioned?
Apart from being used to enhance privacy and protect the home from sunlight, the right window treatments do a lot more than that. They add patterns, richness, and character to any given space but infuse your home with warmth and comfort down to the smallest detail as if it were made to order. Samantha Stathis Lynch, interior designer and founder of Samantha Ware Design,s says that she often thinks of window treatments and considers dressings because there is no reasonable difference. “They give window treatments which can be cold black, voids, lonely most of the time, and at night especially.”
However, like most other things in life, there are manners for dressing a window. There is a strategy for not selecting fashionable window treatment trends and an initial strategy for selecting the right start. The time and way to update the window coverings are very important.
‘People don’t think about windows when doing design,’ Adam Skalman, VP of brand experiences at The Shade Store, said. In the case of new designs to your decor or interior, moving to a new office or home, or simply needing more light to filter through, Skalman recommends you change your window coverings.
For such treatment, there are seasonal trends, but that is not to suggest that the investment made will be short-term. “Window treatments are important, but they change the appearance, so do not underestimate the importance it plays it is worth the money,” Lynch adds. Lynch and Skalman reveal the trends in window coverings you should stop using and what to use instead to find the best curtains or blinds.
Here are the outdated trends, along with things to do to give your window a fresh and different treatment, making your space more attractive.
1. Swap out Tulip Shades for Sheer Curtains and Soft Affordance
Lynch says that this beautiful but excessive look is a thing of the past. The excessive opulence of the draping, the Roman-style shade couldn’t be more relevant in 2024 and beyond –and to this, Skalman concurs.
Further, he adds that box pleats and French pleats can make the look of the skirt look regal and classy but the fact is they are also stiffness oriented”. Moreover, “in current time, for utilizing blinds and shades that provide the space with rich and feelings, they prefer floppy fabrics, diffused, hedonically, soft and a resilient one.” Lynch is more of a lessening area, such as straight pin tucks. Simple pinch pleats can be well suited to less striking patterns, such as delicate stripes, soft checks, or dainty flowers.
2. Replace the shutters with stylish Roman Blinds
‘While shutters do have their uses, they need to be used appropriately and aren’t always the best solution for considering light or arrangements for furniture,’ Lynch clarified. When it is about window coverings that allow for no light to intrude but can be raised or drawn aside to allow a lot of light to come in when desired, traditional fabric types of window treatments with blackout backing are the best bets. According to Lynch’s preference, single or double pinch-pleat drapes are better with Roman shades, which are two styles that will always be recognized as fashionable.
3. Remove Curtains That Aren’t the Proper Length
As much as it is entrenched to be consistent in window coverings, consider them on a case-by-case basis alternatively, change the looks and lengths based on the location and type of window. Exclude ‘wall to counter’ drapes from becoming popular again. According to Lynch, a shade or a café curtain is necessary for such an application. Another is to be sure to use matching fabrics and hardware for the window treatments over the space for a unified look.
4. Use Flimsy Blinds With Wooden Ones
“I like that people are shifting from thin and fragile blinds,” Skalman notes. Further, consider those who are there when you ultimately buy the new space from another person or the arrangement that comes with a rented house. These blind window coverings can just be upgraded to what Skalman calls ‘tasteful rollers’ or even just a thicker wood variety in various shades. However, if you require a denser size, he also suggests the two-inch width.
5. Exchange Woven Shades for Bamboo Blinds
“This might be heresy, but there is a trend of moving away from woven shades and going up in chik blinds,” Lynch says. The designer even insists that it is acceptable to mix different patterns and shocking colors to make it look new. An elegant-looking curtain can be achieved if one layers bamboo chik blind with drapes in matching fabric.
6. Replace Fancy Decorative Valences With Three-Tier Modern Drapery
Although, according to Skalman, layering of window treatment is still popular today, more so, over the last few decades, there has been a change in direction in this particular fashion. He further states that “before, you can go with a finish like cornices and valences that supports sheer layers draperies and opaque ones in a more robust fabric. However, as Lynch suggests above, layering these days has become rather more ascetic than before. According to Skalman, the most effective way is to choose a drapery to minimize the modern and sleek appearance of solar or blackout shades.
Conclusion
A simple update with new window finishing brings a dramatic change to the look and feel of the home. As time passes, those specific styles may become a bit dull as the interior of the house, while modern designs offer much more liveliness and helpful usage. Choosing classic, neutral, and functional products guarantees that your window coverings are on trend with your home’s style and won’t date within a few years. If it is minimalism, wood, metal, or technologies that interest you, the main goal should be finding solutions that are good both in looks and in comfort. When you accept new concepts, you can turn your windows into focal points, making your interiors warm and inviting.
FAQs
1. What are window treatments?
Window treatments are coverings or modifications, such as curtains, blinds, shades, or shutters, used to enhance privacy, control light, improve insulation, or elevate the aesthetic of a space.
2. What types of window treatments are available?
Popular window treatments include:
- Curtains and drapes
- Blinds (vertical, horizontal, or Venetian)
- Shades (roller, Roman, or cellular)
- Shutters (plantation or traditional)
- Valances and cornices
3. How do I choose the right window treatment for my home?
Consider factors like the room's purpose, desired light control, privacy needs, style preferences, and budget. For example, blackout curtains are ideal for bedrooms, while sheer shades work well in living rooms.
4. What is the difference between curtains and drapes?
Curtains are lightweight fabric panels that are typically unlined and more casual. Drapes are heavier, lined panels often designed to block out light and create a more formal look.
5. What is the best window treatment for privacy?
For maximum privacy, consider options like blackout curtains, roller shades, or plantation shutters.
6. Can window treatments improve energy efficiency?
Yes, window treatments like cellular shades, thermal curtains, and insulated blinds can help regulate indoor temperatures, reducing heating and cooling costs.
