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Photo courtesy of The Shade Store

Do your current window treatments reflect a bygone era? If so, it might be time for a change. "Window treatments can instantly transform the look of a room by adding definition and style to complement the rest of your home decor," says Meghan Norville of Levolor Window Fashions. "They set the mood, look and feel within a room."

Start selecting
Choosing a great window treatment can be a daunting task if you are not sure where to begin. According to Sarah Boyer Jenkins, designer and national representative for the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), doing your homework and considering some basic questions are the keys to determining which treatments are right for you.

The first thing to consider when choosing a window treatment is the function it will serve. For example, windows in areas that receive a generous amount of sun will need treatments to help control the amount of light, temperature and effect of UV rays, which can damage your furnishings. "Consider blinds, shutters or solar shades in sun-drenched rooms, or mute the incoming light by employing veil or sheer fabrics," suggests Sue Pelley, national spokesperson for Interiors by Decorating Den.

If a window treatment is strictly decorative, you'll need to determine how elaborate you want to go. "Double treatments are very popular these days," Pelley says. "They may consist of stationary side panels with a beautifully designed top treatment, or they may combine the practicality of a luminette shade and a cleverly crafted valance."

For more casual spaces, consider a cornice with matching draperies or just a drapery on a decorative rod without any cornice, Jenkins says.

Optical illusion
A common goal in choosing window treatments is to increase the apparent size of a room. You can visually expand a room if you choose soft, light or cool colors for your window treatments. This effect also is achieved by choosing window treatments that coordinate with your wall color because low contrasts keep the eye moving. Reversing the technique and using dark, warm colors and highly contrasting windows and walls will make the room appear smaller and cozier.

Fashion forecast
Whatever the functional role, you can almost always find a window treatment that will be stylish and fashionable.

Current trends are simple, sleek and clean, according to Grant Gribble, national residential interior design spokesperson for ASID. "Simplified can be beautiful, unique and innovative," he adds. "Go traditional and neutral if your treatments are needed for the long term, but if you're interested in keeping up with the trends, consider going bold or opting for an ultra luxurious fabric."

Frances Prince, ASID, of Prince Associates in Orlando, says fabrics are gaining ground again. "We're seeing more and more fabric window treatments with lots of embellishments," she says. "For a while people were doing just shutters or other simple treatments. They're now leaning toward softer silks and tapestries." Prince notes that with a plethora of embellished silks available from China and India, this once-exclusive fabric is now much more affordable.

"We're also seeing lots and lots of trim," Prince says. "We're seeing boullion fringes, a variety of tassels and combinations of trim, such as banding and beading, on the same treatment."

Window wisdom

Rich colors, layered treatments and luxe fabrics with lots of trim are some of the top trends in window treatments today. Photo courtesy of Prince Associates; Larry Taylor of Taylor Architectural Photography, photographer

Jenkins recommends taking along samples of the wall color, upholstery, rugs, etc. as you search for treatments for a particular room. "Never leave home without your samples," Jenkins says. "It is a lot cheaper to be proactive than to make a mistake and discover it after installation."

No matter how much homework and trend tracking you've done, Jenkins and Gribble also recommend consulting with a professional. "An interior designer will help to eliminate the drama of having to deal with costly errors because they are more versed in the benefits and drawbacks of different window coverings and styles," Gribble says. They also have the support from their workrooms and installers for the most professional and carefree installation.

ASID, both locally and nationally, can connect you with qualified professional help to guide you through your window treatment journey, Jenkins says. "There is so much available today that there is no reason you should have too much hassle finding fashionably functional and wow-worthy window treatments, no matter what your style," she says.

Ask The Experts

Q. Should I mount my blinds on the inside or outside of my windows? A. 99 percent of blinds are installed on the inside of the window. This means that the treatment sits flush against the window pane and the headrail sits back into the window casing, allowing trim to be visible. Inside-mounting also provides better coverage with less light gapping and better privacy control. One reason to install an outside-mount blind would be vertical blinds that have a track too wide to mount inside the casing. While a blind mounted outside the window casing or above the molding gives the illusion of a longer and wider window, it would need to be much wider than the window to prevent the problem of light gapping and to maintain privacy. This option also can look bulky and take up too much of the wall.  -- Michelle Pasciak, owner, Orlando Blind Company

Top Treatment Trends

According to Levelor Window Fashions, the following are a few of the current hot trends for window fashions: Layering treatments, for example, using blinds or shades, followed by panels and topped with a valance or cornice board. Using decorative hardware with simple, tailored drapes. Luxurious fabrics such as silks or fabrics with metallic accents. Rich colors such as purple and gold, and lots of patterns, especially geometric shapes such as circles and squares. Environmentally-friendly options including treatments made from natural materials such as woven wood blinds and shades

Editorial Resources

The American Society of Interior Designers, (202) 546-3480, www.asid.org. Hunter Douglas, www.hunterdouglas.com. INTERIORS by Decorating Den, (800) 332-3367, www.decoratingden.com. Levolor Window Fashions, (800) 538-6567, www.levolor.com. Orlando Blind Company, P.O. Box 621291, Oviedo, FL 32762, (407) 923-1175, www.orlandoblindcompany.com. Prince Associates Inc., 1458 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789-4027, (407) 682-2277, franpi@aol.com. The Shade Store, (800) 754-1455, www.theshadestore.com.

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