How To Choose The Right Window Treatments For Your Entire Home

Picking the perfect window treatments are an essential part of setting the right atmosphere in your home, but it’s an often-overlooked step. In this post, we’ll go room to room and I’ll share the best window treatment options depending on your needs and style!

Although the way you dress up your windows has the power to transform the look and feel of your space, we don’t pay enough attention to this essential design element when decorating. 

With so many options available at our fingertips, it can feel overwhelming – there’s no doubt about that! But don’t fret. I’m here to help you with some tips.

From classic curtains to trendy bamboo shades, we’ll explore a variety of window treatments and provide key factors to consider when making your decision. With these tips, you’ll be able to create a functional and elevated look in every room of your home. So, keep reading to learn more!

How To Choose The Right Window Treatments For Your Home – Room By Room

When choosing window treatments, many factors come into play. The right look is all about preferences, the room’s features, and what you want to accomplish with your space.
You need to think about functionality, style, lighting demands, privacy, materials, upkeep, and, of course, your budget.

Yes, overwhelming indeed! But, the best way to start this process is by asking yourself what the room’s primary function is.

Is it a bedroom mostly used to sleep? Is it a family room where you’ll watch movies? Or a kitchen with lots of activity around? 

Then, keep breaking down the needs of each room. How much natural light source does the room have? What’s the home decor style of the rest of the room? Does the room need privacy? How much can I afford, per room? And so on.

Best Window Treatment Ideas for your Living Room

Window treatments are arguably one of the most important parts of your living room design. Most likely, the curtains you chose will act as a focal point of the room, helping to set up the mood and ambiance of the space.

Not only can they help set the mood for your space, but they also provide an opportunity to showcase your personal style—and elevate your living room aesthetics.

To give your dress up your living room windows in a sophisticated way, go for double curtain rods with lightweight silk or linen, accompanied by pinch pleat curtains. 

This option is an effective way to frame your windows while maintaining a streamlined look.

In this shot of my living room I used budget friendly pinch pleat drapery panels from Ikea and doubled them up per side for fullness. A bit hard to see, but we have light filtering motorized cellular shades from BlindsGalore that are drawn all the way up. Since this is not a room anyone sleeps in the light filtering shades are perfect for just some privacy and to cut the glare.

Similarly, teaming up a lightweight curtain with roller blinds made of a faux-organic material like rattan or bamboo would work beautifully for a living room that boasts a chic yet laid-back vibe.

Roman shades are another popular choice that offers several variations.

You can find tons of different materials – although linen and silk are particularly coveted – and there are a few folding styles to choose from. If you prefer a sleek look that fits snugly against the window, you can go for the flat fold style. If you prefer a more romantic look, choose the relaxed fold style (also known as the European fold).

If you have low windows and want to take advantage of every bit of natural light available, place a lightweight roller shade on the lower half of a window. This is a simple and no-fuss option that will blur the view a bit without taking away almost any light.

Bedroom Window Treatment Ideas

Window treatments for bedrooms should prioritize privacy and light control, while also adding to the room’s overall decor. To create a serene atmosphere in a bedroom, a combination window treatment that allows for maximum light control is ideal.

A combination of lined drapes with sheer shades, or blackout panels and unlined curtains is your best bet.

You can choose to block the daylight completely during the day (perfect for a summer nap!) or let it fill the room with a gentle light.

Combination treatments have another perk… variety! There are endless materials and styles, so you’re bound to find something that speaks to your style and needs.

You can opt for something modern that will blend in with the walls and open up a small room, like neutral woven shades, or go for the opposite by creating a lush and old-world look with drapes and pelmets.

Window Treatment Ideas for Your Kitchen

The kitchen… the heart of the home! 

Unlike most rooms in the home, daily cooking activity will probably expose your kitchen window treatment to grease, heat, and moisture. It’s important to take this into account to pick the right material and window system. 

If your curtains will be in close contact with these elements, opt for materials that are easy to clean, safe, and durable. Vinyl and faux wood are amazing for this, and they come in tons of different colors and finishes. 

For a streamlined look, you could go for vinyl roller shades with a linen textural finish, for example. Fixed panel curtains are also a fantastic choice if you just need to filter light and add a tad of privacy.

Faux bamboo and wood blinds work great too, especially if you want to add warmth and create a more inviting space.

Roman shades come in several styles, including wooden slats or pleated fabric options.  I love the ones that stack up in folds. They give such a romantic but casual vibe to kitchens! 

Best Window Treatment Ideas for your Bathroom

For the bathroom, use the same thought process you apply to your kitchen. Here, filtering light while proving enough privacy is just as important as in any other room, but you first need to think about the durability of your window treatment and go for something moisture-resistant.

Synthetic materials like faux wood, vinyl, and polyester provide exactly that. Vinyl roller curtains, faux-rattan roller blinds, and roman shades made with water-resistant fabric are just some options for rooms with humid conditions. 

You can go for inside-mount curtains to get a clean and sleek look or soften the light to create a more spa-like vibe with sheer curtains. 

If your bathroom gets enough ventilation and tramped moisture is not your top concern, you have more wiggle room to get creative! You can juxtapose woven panel shades to block out light and pair it with pinch-pleat drapes in linen or silk to frame the windows and add a romantic touch. 

Teaming up a neutral roller shade with a patterned valance is another lovely way to add a pop of color while keeping the look sleek but charming.

Got a difficult window? An affordable option that will add privacy to a bathroom while avoiding installation issues is a window film that mimics the look of frosted glass. This budget-friendly window treatment is a clever idea if you have a small bathroom where the windows are in a very narrow area, or are oddly shaped, making the installation of a regular window treatment too complicated.

Window Treatments for Studies and Home Office

If you are someone who spends a considerable amount of time staring at screens or reading in your home office, you know all too well the strain it can put on your eyes. Thankfully, the right window treatment is a simple solution that can help you. 

To minimize the impact of harsh lighting on your eyes and create a more comfortable workspace, consider window treatments that offer the maximum level of light control.

Options like shutters, solar shades, a combination of woven shades and lined curtains, or something more high-tech like honeycomb shades in their double-cell version are fantastic choices that will help create the perfect surroundings for a study environment.

Other Window Treatments To Consider

Plantation shutters

Cafe style shutters

Dual shades

Frequently Asked Questions

What window treatment makes a room look bigger?

To make it look like the room is bigger, opt for window treatments that are hung higher than the window frame (around 3 inches below the ceiling) and go beyond the frame’s sides. Window treatments with a subtle vertical striped pattern can also give the impression of more height, especially if paired with sheer fabrics that allow natural light to pass through.

Should all curtains in a house be the same?

There is no hard and fast rule that all curtains in a house should be the same. It all boils down to your personal style and what you like. Still, using the same type of curtains throughout the house can create a unified look and make the entire space look more harmonious. Alternatively, mixing and matching different curtains gives each room a unique look.

Related Posts

How To Mix Patterns In A Room Like A Designer

Luxury Kitchen Design Reveal – Complete Renovation With Photos!

Blue Kitchen Design Ideas (That Are Gorgeous!)