In-home privacy is important for everyone, which is why all houses and apartments come with some form of window treatment. If you are wondering what window treatments are, this term actually refers to any element that is used to decorate a window.

Window treatments include:

• Hard blinds
• Shutters
• Curtains
• Draperies

In some cases, frosted glass may even be considered a window treatment. Choosing the right window treatment for your home will depend on the room, the decoration plan, how much light you want to keep out, and personal preference.

Soft Window Treatments vs Hard Window Treatments

Before you start shopping, you will first need to decide whether you will want a hard or soft window treatment for your home. These two categories refer to the predominant materials used.

Soft window treatments include drapes and curtains. These are made of a wide variety of fabrics.

Hard window treatments include shutters and blinds. These can be made from wood, metal, plastic, and bamboo among others.

Hard Window Treatments

Blinds and shutters are a surefire way to guarantee your privacy since they tend to be thick and less transparent. Basic hard window treatments do not usually provide much insulation; however, specialized blinds and shutters may offer increased light blocking and insulating properties.

While hard window treatments tend to collect a lot of dust, this is not usually a problem since a simple dusting can solve this issue.

Soft Window Treatments

Curtains and drapes come in a variety of materials ranging from insulating to sheer. The thickness will determine how much light is let into the home. Insulating curtains, also known as ‘blackout’ curtains, keep out most light and also help regulate the temperature in the home for an additional cost benefit.

Curtains, just like blinds and shutters, collect dust over time. They can be a bit tricky to clean depending on the material of the curtain. Many types of curtains can be run through the washing machine. Linen and silk-blend curtains are generally recommended to be dry cleaned.

Window Treatment Questionnaire

Choosing the right window treatments for your home takes some planning. In the end, although there are many, many choices of window treatments, there are only a few options that will be the right fit for your home.

The following questions can help you determine which type of window treatment is the best fit for your home:

• How long do I plan to stay in the home? Will I need a temporary or short-term fix, or a long-term solution?
• Do I need to consider the safety of pets or children?
• What is the budget for this project?
• Do I want a window treatment that adds character to the room, or one that blends in?
• How much privacy do I want in the room?
• How much light do I want to keep out?
• What level of window treatment maintenance works with my lifestyle?
• Will I need custom window treatments for uniquely-shaped windows?
• Where will the window treatments be used?
• Are energy cost savings an important factor?
• Will I want to change the style depending on the season?

Once you have answered these questions, you will have a better idea of what you are looking for out of window treatments for your home. Experiment with different styles if you are really unsure of what direction to take. Take your time before making a decision. Your patience and planning will be rewarded!