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WINDOW TREATMENT TIPS

Window treatments can often be thought of after the build is done which can result in frustration at some missed opportunities. Thinking of them as part of the bigger design process means that we can get a more considered outcome. Here are some things you can think about BEFORE you even start to build or as the frames are going in:

1 | RECESSED PELMETS - mean that you are hiding your curtain rod or track into a recess of your ceiling. You will need to have your builder frame this up as they are doing the rest of the framing.

2 | HEIGHT - regardless of what type of window treatment you select the rod or top of them creates a division in your space. For example if you are hanging your curtain rod directly above your window frame you will see your curtains and then the separate section of wall above it. The solution is to hang curtain rods as far up to the ceiling as any cornicing will allow. The curtain will unify the whole wall and therefore make your space feel bigger. Even in a large space this is preferable as it will add a sense of scale and grandeur instead of dwarfing it.

In the example below I would hang a set of sheer curtains from the top of the wall above the vertical blinds. This would not only make the space feel bigger but provides a softness to the space that allowed light through while the blinds control the light and privacy.

1 | Hanging sheet curtains to ceiling would make this space feel bigger. 2 | Recessed curtain and blind pelmet detail. 3 | Recessed curtain pelmet example.

3 | LENGTH - unless there is a clear disruption underneath the window (a heater, deep window sill or built in joinery) curtains should go all the way to the floor. As with the hanging height this avoids chopping the wall in half and making the space a little disjointed. Whether your curtains touch the ground is a personal preference. Curtains that sit just above the floor allow for easy cleaning but you should be wary of different fabrics that give over time or in different temperatures. Curtains that pool on the floor can give a lush, cosy feel.

4 | PLANTATION SHUTTERS - while this type of window treatment lasts a long time, provides great control over light and are relatively easy to clean they can be a very expensive window treatment. To make sure you choose the right ones there are a few things you should know. They can be made from PVC which makes them cheaper, more moisture resistant and in some cases longer lasting than their timber counterparts. Timber varieties add a certain warmth and character to your space that you might value in your design. Using the right type of timber can also be a more environmentally sustainable. My other tip is to look out for what is in the path of your shutter opening. Do objects like a kitchen tap stop it from opening all the way? Can you open them right back against a wall?

5 | ODD SHAPED WINDOWS - any windows that are an unusual shape (ie. on a slant, up high, circular or triangular) will be tricky to get the right window treatments for so make sure you consider this if you like the look of that circular window up high on the northern face of your house.

Jump on over to my Pinterest page to see a range of window treatment ideas.