PLANNING WINDOW TREATMENTS
Stunning solutions for filtering light, creating privacy and adding style
When deciding on a window treatment, consider the mood of the room – do you want to take a barely there approach or make a big splash with contrasting colour and pattern? On the practical side, do you need short curtains to avoid losing heat from radiators placed beneath the window, linings to keep out draughts or a blackout treatment so that you can sleep in peace? Or how about remote-controlled opening and closing?
LUXURIOUS CURTAINS
Framing a window with the soft folds of curtains is a beautiful way to finish a room, and the right curtain treatment can also exaggerate the proportions of a window; to create the illusion of height, for example. ‘Most designers add at least 15cm above the aperture and, more often than not, take the hanging system right up to the ceiling,’ says Victoria Smee, director of Victoria Smee Interiors. A track or pole can also be extended beyond the frame to make a window seem wider and to ensure that curtains swish right back, not obscuring the view when open.
Curtains are the perfect opportunity to introduce pattern, though large prints can dominate a small room or one with a low ceiling. A good fabric shop with a curtainmaking service will run through all the options with you in-store so you can get a feel for fabrics. ‘I always advise lined and interlined curtains for a really luxurious drape,’ says Victoria. ‘Go for a fabric you love, but if you’re not quite ready for bold patterns and colour, consider adding a contrasting border fabric to add interest.’
Blackout lining is ideal for cutting out the light but is heavier than standard lining, so check your track can carry the extra weight, and interlining also adds bulk.
HEADINGS AND POLES
The way you hang curtains will have an impact on the room – to avoid expensive
mistakes, fix the pole or track in place before measuring up for curtains. A track is the discreet option, metal poles have a contemporary look and wooden ones create a more classic effect. Eyelet curtains simply thread directly onto a pole and work well with both plain and bold fabric designs. Pencil pleat headings suit any style of window or fabric, while triple pleats offer a more formal appearance.
BLIND ATTRACTION
From a practical point of view, decide whether blinds will sit inside or outside the recess. If you choose the latter, you’ll need to
ensure there’s a good overlap on all sides to prevent the light creeping around the edges.
Whether you decide on roller blinds, Roman blinds, which fold up in soft pleats, or Swedish roll-up blinds, they all require less fabric than curtains. Plus, since the pattern is shown flat, they’re ideal for displaying large designs.
Pleated blinds with a honeycomb structure will help to hold in heat, while Venetian blinds suit any room. ‘Venetian blinds are great for kitchens as they’re easy to wipe clean. They’re also noisy by nature – an added security deterrent in ground-floor rooms,’ says Mike Stephen, director at Apollo Blinds.
SUPER SHUTTERS
Ideal for windows that are overlooked, shutters allow varying amounts of privacy and let you control the amount of light you let into a room. Choose the tier-on-tier type for maximum adjustability, solid shutters in bedrooms or café shutters that only cover the lower part of a window.
‘Shutters will help to insulate the room, acting as a form of double glazing which, in turn, can help to reduce heating bills,’ says Mark Carter, director of Shutterly Fabulous. When making a choice, work out whether anything, from furniture to taps, will get in the way as the shutters open.