A room rarely feels complete design-wise when its windows lay bare. Finding the right choice for your space, however, requires more than just throwing up some cheap blinds with little consideration. For the aesthetic and function of your room, here are a few factors to consider when picking out window treatments.

Interior Design Considerations for Window Treatments

1. Function

A fundamental question to ask when shopping for window treatments is what function they will have in your space. In a living room with gorgeous views and a lot of natural light seeping in from your windows, you don’t want to hide it behind dark, heavy fabric; sheer or semi-sheer treatments work well in these spaces. 

If you’re looking for more privacy, like in a bathroom, cellular shades are a common option since they give you that seclusion without blocking out all the sun. A bedroom will lend itself to heavier shades so that you can have both privacy and darkness. If a space needs to fit multiple functions, layering window treatments can allow the flexibility to serve any occasion. 

2. Type

The umbrella term of “window treatments” covers quite a few options for covering your windows:

• Blinds are the most common type because they are inexpensive and versatile. The slats allow the best of both worlds, as they tilt to let light in or give you privacy—and even have both simultaneously. They are typically made of wood or faux wood materials depending on your price range.
• Shades consist of one contiguous material instead of the slats of blinds, and they can play into the texture of a room with options like bamboo. A type of shade with newfound popularity is a solar shade, which is made from a mesh-like fabric that can block UV rays from overheating your living space on a hot summer day and fading your furniture and carpets over time. Solar shades come in a variety of transparencies that offer 90% to 100% UV blockage, and they can even have motorized tracks to raise and lower at the touch of a button.
• Interior shutters offer the same convenience of blinds, but they add the design aesthetic of treatments built into the window frame. Similarly, they come in wood and faux wood options, and if you opt for the Polywood faux wood, you can even qualify for a tax credit since the material helps to better insulate your home in comparison to other window treatment options. 

3. Room Design

Just like with any other design choice in a living space, your window treatments need to compliment the decor surrounding them. Choosing the right color, pattern, and texture for your windows can completely transform the look and feel of the room. A white room, for example, would benefit from darker window treatments to add a layer of contrast to the minimalist aesthetic. 

Attractive, functional window treatments can completely change the feel of a home, and working with knowledgeable professionals can assure you make the right choice for your needs. Since 1976, Michael Herr and Company has created a name in Cincinnati, OH, as the high-quality window treatment specialists. Their skilled craftsmen deliver exceptional workmanship and value in every piece that they produce, custom-made for the client’s specifications. To check out their full range of custom blinds, shades, and shutters, visit their website or follow them on Facebook, and call (513) 260-3217 for more information.