How to select the right window covering for
your home
From comfort to convenience to aesthetics and durability, every
aspect of what you expect from a window covering needs to be
well-considered before you purchase your new blinds and shades.
Whether you’re working with a designer or selecting
window coverings on your own, start by determining your functional
needs, followed by your decorative needs. Printable planning
checklist.
Functional Needs
- How will the space be used?
For working,
relaxation, entertaining, formal or informal activities?
- Will there
be children and/or pets in the room?
If so, be
sure to consider cordless products for safety purposes.
- Do you need
privacy?
How safe and secure you feel in your home may
be directly related to your window treatments.
We offer a complete range of products in a variety of privacy levels,
from sheer to total privacy. Plus, some rooms may
require more privacy than others, such as bedrooms and bathrooms.
- What
is the window’s exposure?
If it has
a southern or western exposure, the room could
heat up more than
you want,
or the glare could fade furnishings and affect
viewing of your TV or computer. We have many energy-efficient
products
designed
to eliminate these concerns.
- How much light control
do you need?
If light control is an
issue, consider horizontal or vertical
blinds – you
can redirect the light or change the complexion
of a room by rotating or tilting the slats or louvers.
- Is energy efficiency a
concern?
We have a variety of products that help keep rooms warmer in winter
and cooler
in summer, including wood blinds and cellular shades. Plus, our new Graber® Synergy shade offers a solar shade as one of its back shade
options.
- Do you want to maintain a view?
Consider the Bottom Up/Top
Down option available on cellular, roman, pleated
and natural shades. It allows you to lower the shade from the top to
let in natural light while retaining the view and still providing
necessary privacy.
- Do you open the window frequently,
or want easy access for cleaning?
Always consider the function
of the
window as well as the design. If you are opening and closing the window
often, wood blinds may be too heavy and while they are beautiful,
you may wish to consider a lighter blind
or shade.
- Are there interfering factors that may affect the
window or architecture?
Consider window cranks, window
air conditioners, baseboard heaters, light switches, wall sockets, crown
moldings, beams, chair rails, etc.
Consider your
decorative needs.
- What is the overall mood you wish to convey?
Casual, comfortable, elegant,
sophisticated
- Are the windows
the focal point of the room, or are they a component of
the background?
- What colors, textures and patterns do you
prefer?
- What size is the room? How many windows in the
room and are all the windows the same shape?
If
you have a room with both windows and doors, consider using
vertical blinds with coordinating
2” horizontal blinds. Several of our products
come with specialty shapes, such as arches and
various geometric
shapes,
as well.
Once you’ve answered these questions, you’re ready
to start your window fashion journey! We have the right solution
for your window covering needs.
We have a variety of tools to help make your decision easier:
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