Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Natural Elements Used In Window Treatments


Where can help be found when starting to think about the perfect window treatments?  Whether you are looking for curtains, blinds, shades, valances or curtain rods there is help online.  If you are looking to re-do one or twenty window coverings the best source for ideas and up to date style information is through the internet.  Another value online shopping presents is the ability to find exactly what you are looking for, recreate it and at the best price possible.  All the information sits at your fingertips.

Window treatments, especially blinds and shades are becoming as much a part of a home’s interior design as any other feature.  Rooms are not built around one specific piece of furniture any longer.  Instead the room is being pulled together using many key elements including window treatments.  This does not mean that everything has to match but instead coordinate and compliment.  Which brings me to the unique attributes now found within window treatments.

When contemplating window treatments many people picture one of two things; blinds or curtains.  This has been the case in the past in regards to window décor but not anymore.  With the use of a range of materials window treatments have been given a completely new purpose.  It is no longer the norm to stick with heavy floral curtains that scream grandma’s house but instead environmental materials are adding texture and emphasis to a home’s windows.   Eco-friendly materials such as grass, bamboo, jute and paper are introducing a new natural elegance to room décor and interior design.

Natural materials work for many different window treatments and decors.  Rooms are not defined by the window treatment of choice yet enhanced.  If your style lends itself more to country, back woods lodge, modern, contemporary or exclusive high end there is something available to meet your desire.  Bamboo blinds & shades, natural woven wood blinds & shades and honeycomb cellular blinds & shades are amongst the most popular options.  If you can dream it there is a window treatment out there to make it happen.  

Where should a homeowner begin when deciding upon window treatments?  The first thing to determine is if a hard or soft window treatment option is desired.  Maybe even a combination of the two is what will work for the function and style desired within the space.  

·         Hard Window Treatments:  This includes any treatment that contains a hard material such as wood or vinyl.  Some examples include window shades and blinds as well as shutters.

·         Soft Window Treatments: This includes any treatment that contains soft materials such as sheers, curtains, drapery, swags and valances.  Roman shades are often included in this category.

·         Combinationof Hard and Soft Window Treatments:  This is a combination of the two on one window.  This can be a very hard look to install and should be done so using careful precise measurements.  Valances and window blinds are often used in combination as well as sheer curtains and vinyl room darkening shades where light is an issue such as a bedroom.