Depending on your style, window dressings are a great way to make a statement or subtly compliment the room’s furnishings. The decorating options for windows are endless nowadays, so you don’t have to resort to boring old vinyl blinds anymore. Make your windows work for you with these ten creative options for decorating windows.
- Venetian Blinds
Venetian blinds are a great option for rooms that get a lot of sunlight; their thick slats can be closed to block out sunlight completely, or tilted any which way to direct sunlight (like at the ceiling to diffuse the heat and glare). You can choose from a variety of materials depending on your needs; wood is a stylish choice that will make a room feel warm and rustic, whereas faux wood is perfect in rooms with moisture, like kitchens or bathrooms. A new stylistic feature of Venetian blinds is called Top Down Bottom Up—you can move the blind upwards from the bottom and downwards from the top to truly control the amount of privacy and light in each room.
- Roman Shades
Another stylish option for reducing sunlight in rooms is the Roman shades: this is a window covering that gathers together as you raise the shade, but smooths out as you lower it. You can get a thick, light-proof material to completely block out any light, which is perfect for apartments or homes in cities. They come in tons of patterns and colors, so you’ll have no trouble matching them to your room’s décor.
- Valance
A valance is a classic window treatment that’s back in style thanks to its clean lines and simple style. Valances are perfect for concealing messy window hardware for blinds or shades, while adding eye-catching detail to windows. If you’d rather leave your windows bare, valances are a subtle way to link the windows to your decorating scheme: a simple piece of fabric at the top of the window can accent and complement the rest of the room.
- Motorized Shades
Motorized shades are becoming increasingly popular because of their ease of use: you’ll never have to use a stepladder again to reach those pesky high windows. They add instant luxury to any room, and they eliminate the need for messy cords that can be dangerous for children and pets.
- Café Curtains
Café curtains bring a touch of sweet nostalgia to kitchens and sunrooms, and are perfect for rooms that need as much natural light as possible. This type of curtains let you maintain some privacy by positioning them a third of the way up the window, while still allowing in tons of sunlight. The fabric and rods are readily available in most stores, so you’ll have a ton of options to choose from.
- Woven Wood Shades
Woven shades are made of natural materials like bamboo, reed, grass and jute to make rooms feel down-to-earth and warm. The shades naturally filter light through the openings, giving you a much more organic diffusion of light than other shades or blinds. They come in so many different textures, designs, and stains to set exactly the tone you want.
- Sheer Curtains
If you love a beachy, breezy vibe, then sheer curtains are right up your alley. They let in lots of sunlight while maintaining your privacy, and you can double or triple layers of the sheers to suit your needs.
- Floor-Length Drapes
Heavy, floor-length drapes are a stunning option to any room, and can quickly dress up furniture, wallpaper, and windows. There’s infinite patterns, textures and colors to choose from, and they also have a practical side: in winter, the heavy curtains can act as insulation, preventing heat from seeping out through the window panes to save you money.
- Window Finishes
Screw messing around with annoying curtains and shades: defy what’s normal, and get interesting window finishes to treat your windows. There are so many unique options to choose from: frosted glass can completely protect your privacy while letting in a moderate amount of light, while decorative adhesives let you customize your windows as often as you’d like. If you love an over-the-top look, stained glass is a striking option that will truly make your windows stand out.
- Creative Alternatives
When it comes to dressing your windows, think outside the box: herb gardens make great and practical options for window sills in kitchens (think green living!), and living rooms can become super chic with paintings hung in front of windows. Vintage neon signs hung over windows make great talking pieces, while retro maps or posters can be made into stunning roller shades. Who said window dressings had to be boring!
