How do I know I've selected the RIGHT kind of window treatments?

Even if you have the most beautiful furnishings, but the windows aren't done right, the room will feel incomplete. Something will be off. Here is a simple 3-part checklist to follow in finding the right window treatments for your style.

Balance.

Usually, our rooms are naturally busy at the bottom. Meaning, there is your carpet or area rug, sofa, chairs, tv stand, coffee table, plants, etc, etc. While the top of the room is usually empty. To quote a client: "The eyebrows are missing" I thought her comment was brilliant. Think of it as if you were wearing rich, colorful lipstick - but no make-up on your eyes, so they are barely visible. We don't want that. What we want is a balanced look, where all elements work in unison, whether on the face or in the room.

Proper Scale of Statement.

Adding valances to your windows or treating them with curtains, is not synonymous with overdoing it. We are not talking window treatments during the times for Louis IV, when everything was over the top, plush, and luxurious. The window treatments need to make the same statement as the rest of the furnishings in the room. This statement includes: design style, color, and physical proportions. Here, there is no need to overthink it. If you have minimalistic décor - don't go with over the top curtains. If your color pallet is monochromatic, no need to make bold statements with your curtains.

Functionality.

Every window treatment has its purpose, regardless of whether the purpose is functional or aesthetic. For example, if your primary goal for doing the window treatments was to block the glare on the TV, be sure to consult the professional that your selection will do just that. Similarly, if you're trying to minimize the appearance of a window treatment, it's a good idea to go with shades, not blinds. Make sure you know the pros and cons of each type of treatment. While your selection may not perfectly address all your requirements, at least it will be the optimal one - the one that addresses most of them or those that are most important. How do you learn the pros and cons? Research.

So how will you know that the end result is the right one? Your goal is to feel cozy, warm, and soft. You want the room to have the feeling of being pulled together. A sense of being complete. If you at least follow this simple 3-part check list, you'll know you're on the right path.