Window furnishings range from anything from sheer curtains through to block out blinds, and a thousand variations in between. Window furnishings “finish” the look of the window, and can add protection from the sun, the cold, and of course block unsightly views or stop people peeking into your home. There is not a steadfast set of rules with exactly what window furnishing to use where, but there are several things to take into consideration.
LOCATION LOCATION
Location of the window you wish to furnish is hugely important. It’s important that you firstly establish the amount of light you want in the room. This, combined with the amount of sun and heat that penetrates the room, will help you establish if you need a more hard working furnishing.
You should already know you home well enough to know what views you wish to highlight. This may mean you use a sheer curtain or a semi-transparent blind. You can also use window furnishings to highlight a window, by drawing your eye to a coloured or patterned curtain for example. Providing the curtains are drawn to the side, this is quite a polished look for a formal area or a bedroom. In a bathroom you will most likely want privacy and also flexibility. This is an area where shutters can work beautifully as they allow various levels of privacy and also light in. Shutters can also look quite beautiful in a bathroom as well as being water and mould resistant, which is hugely important in a wet area!
LOOK
Window furnishings can of course make or break a room. It’s essential that the style of the home is really well considered and that window furnishings are harmonious with this. A contemporary home will benefit from more minimal window furnishings, and generally in more neutral colours that are in keeping with the interiors. Generally modern homes look best when using blinds or shutters, with sheer curtains to private areas to soften the blinds on the windows here. Again it’s quite personal.
More traditional homes however really shine when window furnishings are more ornate and much more decorative. In fact it was in traditional homes where window furnishing became an art in itself. Windows would be decorated in volumes of lavish fabrics, with rich colouring and patterns. Pelmets, swags and tails, tassels and the like further added decoration and a level of complexity. This look is still appropriate if in keeping with the style of the home, but a more restrained version of this look will make it less fussy and more in keeping with today’s aesthetic.
Colours used in window furnishings are also important and will completely change the look of your room. Blinds look in keeping with the room if they are the wall colour or one or two tones darker for a very subtle contrast. You may wish to use a combination blind, which has a transparent or semitransparent blind , with a block out blind behind. Again, these look best when the same colour. The most popular shutter colours are white and timber. White will always look crisp and elegant, whilst timber will add warmth and create a more down to earth appearance. Colours of curtains will vary considerably. The most important consideration is really just to make them work in harmony and be appropriate to the space!
