Window Treatments: Putting An End To The Confusion

With so many different kinds of window treatments available today, it's no wonder that selecting the right solution for your home can be a difficult decision.

But if you follow the basic ideas presented below, you should have no problem finding window treatments that will satisfy your home interior decorating needs.

However, before focusing on specific fabrics and styles, first examine your needs from a practical point of view. You will likely find that if your requirements are simple, so will be the solution. Start by answering these two questions...

- Will the window treatments be used to protect privacy?
- Will they be used to control the amount of light entering the room?

Privacy

Unless you have lots of land to roam, you probably have windows that need to be covered for privacy reasons. If your living room has a view of the street, you'll want to shield it from passersby. If your neighbor can peer into your bedroom from their backyard, you'll want to eliminate their temptation to pry.

These window treatments are great privacy protectors:

• Roller Shades - can be used to cover the entire window. They can be made of vinyl or fabric. The fabric versions such as Roman and Balloon shades are lined and can be custom made to your exact window measurements. Balloon shades are also great if you want to set a romantic mood.
• Cellular fabric shades - in non-sheer fabrics will add privacy and offer energy efficiency. They will also do a good job with sound insulation.
• Draw Curtains and Draperies - can be closed to cover the entire window. You'll want to include a lining for added privacy and longevity.

• Mini and Wood blinds - these are the most common ways used to provide a nearly private environment. Just be aware that there is a small possibility of seeing through the slats at certain angles. Wood blinds keep rooms warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
• Shutters - are great for giving boring windows architectural presence. They come with fixed or movable louvers for controlling privacy.

If you'd like some decorative ideas for blinds, shutters, and shades, I recommend that you check out Decorate Today - Blinds & Shutters. You'll find a wide selection, plus live online help is available to answer questions.

Light Control

When you think of using window treatments for light control, sleeping is probably the first thing that comes to mind. However, controlling the amount of light or glare in a room can also be important for other activities such as watching television, reading, or working at your desk.

Consider these treatments to control light:

• Roller Shades - look for the light darkening versions. Try them in areas such as childrens rooms and your kitchen.
• Perforated Metal or Wood blinds - can be tilted to keep direct sun out of your room, while still maintaining glare and light control. They are great for providing privacy and energy efficiency.
• Bamboo and Matchstick blinds - add a tropical feel to a room. They will filter light and cut down on much of the glare, but should be backed with light-absorbing material if total blockage is required.
• Cellular fabric shades - in non-sheer fabrics they reduce light and glare while adding privacy and energy efficiency.

In some rooms, such as your bathroom, kitchen, and kids rooms, you may find that privacy and light control are all that's needed. This may also be true if your decorating style is Contemporary. If so, the window treatments mentioned above come in many decorative styles and can easily stand alone.

However, when you want your windows to make a bolder statement and add character to a room, you'll want window dressings that provide a decorative framework.

Style

Before you select window treatment fabrics and patterns, you'll want to first decide on the mood you want for the room. Do you want it to be casual? romantic? formal?

The reason for this is because the mood you choose will influence the type of fabric and style for your window treatments, which is a matter of personal taste…

Lots of fabric flowing from floor-to-ceiling conveys a formal look. Swags of sheer fabric draped across a wide window rings of contemporary elegance. A simple cornice covered in a colorful cotton fabric might be the spark that brings life to a casual room.

Use these Home Decorating Made Easy links to help narrow your options:

Key Facts About The Top 10 Home Decorating Fabric Fibers
Dress Your Windows To Match Your Decorating Style
Glossary of Window Treatment Styles & Terms
Techniques For Dressing Windows To Hide Design Flaws

The picture below shows the treatment that I used for one of my living room windows. The room is decorated in an Eclectic home interior decorating style.

The single swag used for the window treatment adds drama to the room. One of the drapery panels flows to the floor and forms a puddle for an elegant and romantic touch. Simple metal blinds are tucked underneath when privacy or light control is needed.

Notice that the diamond pattern is repeated in the two decorative pillows and bogart chair in the lower left corner.

Another window treatment example is shown to the right.

I wanted something simple to cover a narrow bathroom window, so I had this decorative ascot valance made.

The bronze fabric provides a subtle touch. Similar to my living room, metal blinds are tucked out of sight until needed.

I hope this information of window treatments has been helpful.

Flooring And Floor Covering: An Important Factor In Home Interior Decorating

Let me start by saying that flooring and floor covering are not the same…

Flooring includes the hard surfaces found in your home such as wood, tile, and stone that are typically permanent fixtures.

Floor covering includes materials such as carpeting and area rugs that are often laid over hard surfaces.

Now that I’ve gotten that little technicality out of the way, let’s discuss why the way your floor looks is important in home interior decorating.

You’ve probably walked into the lobby of a grand hotel and noticed the marble or stone flooring with intricate and elegant designs. Remember how that made you feel?

It looked so shiny and beautiful you felt a little guilty walking across it…but you also sensed that there was something very special inside.

Of course you may not be ready to drop a bundle on a marble floor for your living room, but whatever material you choose for your floor will help to set the overall mood.

Are you seeking a sophisticated look and feel for an entry hallway? If so, black and gold, diamond shaped glazed tiles might do the trick.

Or maybe you’re thinking of something more casual and durable? Then wall- to-wall carpeting may be all that you need.

As you can imagine, your choices for flooring and floor covering are virtually unlimited.

If you need some ideas, I recommend that you browse ifloor. They have a wide and impressive selection of flooring and floor covering to suit any home interior decorating style. Also, check out Bellacor for their selection of area rugs. Finally, if you're decorating a child's room, be sure and visit Kid Carpet.

Looks are certainly important when choosing flooring and floor covering. But before you pull out your wallet, first decide how the flooring will be used.

If you have children or pets you can expect more wear and tear, so durability has to be a factor. Wood flooring may be your dream choice, but you’ll have to decide how you will handle scratches and spills.

The remainder of this page covers key points that you should consider before selecting your flooring and floor covering, and it outlines the advantages and disadvantages of popular types.

Flooring And Floor Covering: Key Home Interior Decorating Points:

• Plain colored flooring will show marks easier than patterned surfaces
• If your room is small, avoid busy or large–scale patterns in your flooring
• If you decide to go with tile, use large tiles in large rooms (avoid busy patterns)
• Don’t vary the tile too much from room to room (this will make a small home look fussy)
• Protect your new flooring by putting chair protectors on all chair legs
• Select light color tiles to make a room seem larger and darker tiles to create warmth

Flooring And Floor Covering: Advantages And Disadvantages:

Ceramic Tile

Advantages

• Durable, attractive and easy to maintain
• Comes in a wide variety of patterns, colors, shapes and finishes
• Versatile with a wide range of border options
• Works well with wood and carpeting

Disadvantages

• Can be cold and noisy
• Can be slippery
• Can be stained if not properly sealed
• Tough to keep grout clean
• Can crack, thus requiring replacement

Harwood/Pre-Finished Engineered Wood

Advantages

• Feels good underfoot
• Can be refinished
• Has general good looks

Disadvantages

• May fade over time
• Doesn’t handle lots of moisture very well
• Certain finishes scratch easily

Laminate Flooring

Advantages

• Not easily damaged
• Easy to maintain
• Stain and fade resistant
• Scratch resistant

Disadvantages

• Not soft underfoot
• When damaged it’s not easy to repair

Carpeting

Advantages

• Feels good underfoot
• Great for deadening sound
• Can hide sub-floor irregularities
• Lots of color choices
• Usually less costly than installing hard floors

Disadvantages

• Will fade over time
• Not easy to repair
• Readily shows wear and tear
• Staining and mildew can be a problematic

In general, there is not a wrong or right solution to your flooring or floor covering needs as long as you understand the pluses and minuses of each type. So think about the mood you want to set in the room and consider how often you will use it.

The only exception I would like to make to the above statement pertains to your bathrooms. I recommend in your toilet and shower areas that you stick with a moisture resistant material such as tile or stone.

But by all means use your imagination here as well. There are all kinds of materials and patterns that could be used.