Window treatments are focal points in your home. They create a mood and make a personal design statement, while providing privacy and light control. And with sparkling clean windows plus a new treatment or two, your home will feel refreshed—and ready for the shining sun.
A: Approaches and Options
Elizabeth Aaron, president of Elizabeth Aaron Interior Design in Encinitas, California, suggests a first step: decide what your window treatments have to accomplish.
“What do you need in a room?” she asks. “If you have privacy, and enjoy natural light and a great view, don’t feel obligated to use any window covering.
“But if you look out onto other homes, privacy may be the goal. In a child’s room where you want to maintain that 7:30 bedtime, sunlight may be an issue.” Also, bright sunlight can bleach out carpets, fabrics and even hardwood floors—a good reason to block it out.
After function, it’s all about style alternatives. Modern homes look great with sleek blinds and shades. Traditional settings benefit from layered draperies, but practicality still plays a part. “Oils and dirt from hands and pets could, over time, ruin curtains—making them a risky choice for a family room,” says Aaron. Fortunately, there are many other options.
B: Blinds, Shades and Draperies
“
Wooden blinds
could be your best friend when you need privacy and light control,” says Aaron. “Don’t be afraid to choose natural wood finishes, which add sophistication to a room. The sun coming through natural wood blinds creates a glow like candlelight.”
Cellular/Honeycomb shades
are another option for privacy and light control. “They can roll down from the top to let in sun, while providing privacy at the bottom,” says Aaron.
Sunshades
are the answer when you have too much sun but want to see outside. Made of dense but see-through mesh, they block harsh light without sacrificing the view.
Vinyl roller blinds
fit the bill when you need to block out the light. Aaron recommends adding a valance on top to hide the shade when it’s rolled up.
Roman shades
are a perfect compromise when personal tastes differ—for example, when one person wants a clean, handsome look and another wants a soft, romantic feel. “Roman shades bring in color, pattern and warmth without making a room frilly,” says Aaron.
Curtains
can serve more than one purpose as you’re sprucing up or redecorating. “They’re great for creating a mood—like in a dining area or adult bedroom,” says Aaron. “You can have privacy and create a casual or formal look. If you’re on a budget or in a time crunch, curtains are a great choice.”
With all the style choices available in curtains, Aaron urges practicality. “I love polyester,” she said. “It’s family friendly and requires minimal maintenance.” Today, high-quality, low-cost polyester draperies—from sheer, gauzy fabrics for spring to rich brocades for fall—come in just about every color and pattern.
C: Cleaning and Maintenance
Stylish treatments draw attention to windows, so you’ll want to keep both treatments and windows clean and bright. According to Aaron, Roman shades and draperies should be vacuumed once a month. Frequent dry cleaning or washing of fabric draperies may not be necessary unless they appear heavily stained or soiled or someone in your household suffers from allergies. For instant stain removal of small spots and stains, try
Shout® Wipes—and you may be able to avoid the washer entirely. If you’re not sure your draperies are colorfast, spot-test the wipes in an inconspicuous area first.
Pledge® Multi Surface Duster is great for metal or wood slat blinds or roller or cellular shades. Its Allergen Trappers™ pick up allergens found in dust from dust mites, pollen and pet dander. To safely remove dust, fingerprints and smudges from metal window frames and wood windowpanes and sills,
Pledge® Multi Surface Spray and Wipes fit the bill.
Beautiful window treatments really pop when the glass is sparkling clean. Use your favorite
Windex® Cleaner for a streak-free shine. The special sheeting action of
Windex™ Outdoor All-in-One Glass Cleaning Tool easily cleans the exterior of all your windows (even second-story ones!), with no drying needed.