Need help deciding which type of window shades go in which type of rooms? Wondering if all your window shades need to match in an open space concept of adjoining rooms? In this post, our design experts share their top tips for selecting the best window treatments for any room space.
Choosing the right window shades, blinds, curtains, shutters, or draperies for each room can be like adding the perfect finishing touch to a painting. The perfect window treatment match for every space can transform your home into a harmonious blend of aesthetic appeal and functionality.
With so many styles of window shades to choose from, shopping for the right one isn’t always an open-and-shut deal. Knowing which shades to choose for the windows of the bedroom, living room, kitchen, and home theater could impact functionality and make or break your aesthetic.
Scroll on to learn more about how to choose the best window shades for any room space in your home.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Window Shades for Any Room Space
Planning to treat the windows of your home or office for desired curb appeal and functionality? Window coverings for rooms are available in a huge range of styles, designs, sizes, colors, and lift options. It’s important to consider several factors to make the right choice.
Every room will need unique window treatments. Picking window shades or blinds can either improve or ruin your room’s interior decor style. You can either design a haven where it is a pleasure to be or an area that has a bad vibe and a space that almost pushes one away from it.
Here are some important factors to consider when selecting shades for any room space.
Insulation Needs
Window blinds come in a range of materials with varying powers for insulation, from low-insulation sheer fabrics to 100% heat/cold blocking cellular shades. If your home faces extreme weather, select honeycomb blinds, otherwise go with Roman shades or roller blinds.
Humidity Levels
If you are going to buy new window shades for your high-humidity areas, like kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room, consider moisture-resistant faux wood blinds. For spaces like bedroom, living room, or home office, select standard fabric or woven wood window treatments.
Lighting Needs
To block all external light in your media room and bedroom, select blackout or room darkening window blinds. On the other hand, light filtering sheer shades will be a better option for glare-free light in your living room, dining room, or home office.
Privacy and Sun Protection
If you want to increase the functionality of your room’s windows, you will need to think about the functional potential of the window treatment before making a choice. For example, if you need privacy and light control, Roman shades will do the job for you. On the other hand, if you want your window treatment to protect your furniture and other precious belongings from fading, you will need light-filtering window treatments.
Type of Room – Bedroom, Living Room, Dining Room, Home Office, or Media Room?
The type of your room will also affect your choice of window shades. For example, if you are going to treat the window of your bedroom or kid’s room, you’ll need blackout shades. And if you want to improve the energy efficiency of your living room, you will need cellular or honeycomb window shades and blinds that provide excellent insulation.
Decor Style – Classic or Contemporary?
Considering the interior style of your room is also very important when selecting window coverings. Particularly, you should choose a color, design, or style that perfectly matches your room’s interior decor style. Also, you can go for a sharp contrast.
Child and Pet Safety – Consider Cordless Option
You should make sure that the window treatment you are going to install in the rooms of your home or office should be safe to use for children and pets. For example, you should choose cordless window treatments, as they do not pose a choking hazard for children and pets.
Mount Type – Inside or Outside the Window Frame?
Inside mount and outside mount are two popular mounting styles for your window treatments. If you want to install window shades inside your window frame, you will need to choose a blind or shade that fits the depth of your window frame.
Lift Options – Corded, Cordless, Top-down/Bottom-up, or Motorized?
Today, window shades for any room space come with several lift options. They include cord, cordless, motorized, and smart home integrated.
Orientation of Slats – Horizontal or Vertical?
Window shades are available with both horizontal (horizontal blinds) and vertical slats (vertical blinds). You should make a choice according to the style of your room. Nowadays, there are an increasing number of homeowners who are choosing vertical discount cellular shades due to their simplicity and style.
Reducing Energy Costs
Another consideration is choosing window blinds or shades that will assist in reducing energy costs. With the right selection now, you can find materials that will provide protection against UV rays and also keep interiors cooler naturally.
Affordability – Can you Pay More or Less?
Affordability is an important factor to consider when choosing shades for the windows of any room space. A low-price but high-quality product should be the first priority if you are low on budget.
Where to Buy Window Shades for any Room Space
While there are several online marketplaces to buy your future window treatments, you should choose a retailer, like Affordableblinds.com, that offers huge discounts along with bonus offers, like free shipping, free samples, a worry-free fit guarantee, and a free lifetime warranty. In this way, you can easily secure your investment.
How to Install Window Shades for the Right Aesthetic and Functionality in Each Room
Modern window shades for any room space are usually easy to install. You only need a few simple tools, like screws, mounting brackets, a drill, a pencil, and a piece of paper (to record values on). And installation can be done with the help of a few DIY tips.
Step 1: Measure the width and height (w x h) of the window frame where you want to install the shades. For an inside mount, make sure to measure from the inside of the window frame.
Step 2: Install the mounting brackets for the window shade according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Usually, the brackets are installed on the top of your window frame or inside the window recess.
Step 3: Once the brackets are fixed, attach the shade to the brackets.
Step 4: Test the operation of the window shade to make sure it is working properly. This may involve raising, lowering, and adjusting the shade slats, adjusting the tension, or adjusting the length.
Step 5: Finish the window shade installation by trimming any excess cords or securing the cords with safety devices. You may also use cordless lifts.
How to Clean and Maintain Window Shades in Each Room
Cleaning and maintaining your window shades will help keep them looking good and functioning at their best. Here are some DIY tips to help you clean and maintain your window shades:
- Vacuum your window shades regularly.
- If you have a stain on your window shades, use a damp cloth or sponge to gently remove the stain.
- Depending on the type of window shade, you might be able to deep clean it by soaking it in warm water with mild detergent.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals or solvents on your window shades, as they can damage the fabric material.
- Regularly check your window shades for signs of damage, such as frayed cords or a damaged cordless lift system.
- Operate your window shades carefully.
By following these DIY cleaning and maintenance tips, you can help extend the life of your window shades and keep them working at the optimum level.
Summing Up
There are lots of factors to consider when selecting the best window shades for any room space. You should consider the type of room, style of the shade, insulation/light/privacy needs, lift options, colors, fabric choices, and affordability factors when choosing the best window treatments for the rooms of your home, office, or other building.
FAQs
Should window shades be lighter or darker than walls?
Lighter or darker window shades are a matter of preference. Like many other interior darker decisions, there isn’t a hard and fast rule about whether window shades should be lighter or darker than the walls. If you want to ensure everything in your room blends well together, the window shades and walls should be at least one shade lighter or darker than each other, but they should also be a similar tone.
What are the ways to choose the right window blinds?
Consider insulation needs, lighting needs, privacy requirements, humidity levels, window size, interior decor style, and presence/absence of kids in your home when choosing the right window shades.
How do you match blinds to a room?
Match the blinds to the tone of the room, while also considering your personal taste. A basic and pretty foolproof way is to match blinds to the window trim or molding. Additionally, you should consider matching blinds to the color of the walls or floors.
Should blinds be the same color in every room?
Choosing the color of blinds in every room will depend on various factors, like the color of walls, carpets, furniture, or window trim. The best way is to stick to a common element in terms of color, style, or fabric. For example, if you are looking for shutters, use the same color wood. If each room has a unique style, ensure cohesion on a room-by-room basis.
How do I choose blinds vs. shades?
Kid- & Pet Safety: Child-safe cordless options exist for both blinds and shades.
Light Control: Blinds offer varying levels of light control from sheer to room darkening, and shades are mostly available with total 100% blackout.
Privacy: Shades come with opaque fabrics for better privacy, while blinds (Venetian blinds) can offer both light and privacy at the same time.
Popularity: Blinds are twice as popular as window shades.
How much smaller should blinds be than the window inside mount?
For the window inside mount, blinds should be about ¼” to ⅜” inch smaller than the narrowest width measurement of the window frame. When it comes to length, you may let the blinds rest on the window sill. If you don’t want your blinds to rest on the sill, ensure they are ¼” smaller than the length of the window frame.
Need More Help?
Still unsure how to select the right light blocking Roman shades? Get in touch for free consultation! Use 24/7 live chat or give us a call at (800) 863-6109 to contact our experts for DIY light blocking Roman shade solutions.