Window treatments is essential for both the appearance and function of a given room. The type of window treatments you select can change the way that a given room feel to the occupants. If you choose the incorrect window treatments for a given room, the room may feel dark and small.
However, if you choose the correct window treatments, the room will feel as if it is bright and large. Window treatments are not just used to cover a window. Window treatments are also used to control the light that enter a room and to change the perception of that room.
How to Choose and Install Window Treatments
One of the first decisions that must be made in installing the window treatments for a room is the placement of the curtain rod. The placement of the curtain rod will affect the size of the window that the room appear to have. The rod should be mounted several inches above the window frame.
Additionally, the rod should extend beyond the window frame on both sides of the window. By mounting the rod higher and more far from the window frame than the rooms frame, the window will appear larger in that room. Many people fail to extend the curtain rod beyond the window frame.
By failing to do so, the room can appear small and boxed in. There are different types of window treatments for different purposes. The type of fabric panel is used in living areas to allow the room to feel soft and warmly to the occupants.
Heavy fabric panels can help to block any drafts that may come through the window, so these rooms can be used in more formal areas of a home. Shades that fold or roll into the room are used in areas that require more precision in the placement of the window treatment. An additional technique that can be used is called layering.
Layering involve placing two different types of treatments on two separate rods. For instance, sheer panels can be used along with blackout drapes that will allow the room to have light during the daytime and darkness during the night. Measuring the size of the windows in a room is an essential part of installing the treatments.
Incorrect measurement will result in window treatments that do not appear professional in the room. For fabric panels, you should multiply the width of the rod by two if you would like the panels to have lush folds. However, if the room is meant to have a more sleek look, using less fabric will accomplish this task.
For flat treatments, the treatment should be exact to the window. In the case of inside mounts, deduct a small amount of fabric to ensure that the treatment does not touch the window. Window treatments should reach the floor.
They should either graze the floor or puddle on the floor. An additional component of window treatments is lining. The lining of the treatment can change the way that the treatment handles light and temperature in the room.
If the window treatment is sheer, there is no need for lining. However, if the treatment will be used in areas that are exposed to much sunlight, such as a living room, it is best to use standard backing to protect the fabric. Blackout lining will be used in bedrooms to block the light from entering the bed while sleeping.
Additionally, using thermal lining will reduce the energy bill of the home since it reduces drafts around the windows. The type of lining that is used will change the amount of light that enters the room. The type of lining will also change the way that the treatment hang.
There are two main methods of mounting the window treatments. The first method involves mounting the treatment to the frame of the window. This method is used for shades and blinds because the inside mounts look trimmer.
The other method of mounting the treatments involve mounting the treatment to the wall outside of the window. This method is used for curtains because it hides the flaws of the window and helps it to appear larger. The amount of fabric that is used in the treatment is referred to as fullness.
Treatments with low fullness will allow the fabric to hang from the rod without any excess fabric. This is a feature of more moddern homes and treatment styles. Standard fullness allows the treatment to have a soft edge, while high fullness allow the fabric to hang in a more luxurius fashion.
The amount of fabric must be calculated to allow for the desired fullness of the treatment. Another factor to consider when purchasing window treatments is the color and texture of the fabric. These factors will determine the mood of the room.
For example, neutral colors will make the room appear larger in size, and they will last longer with time. Linen fabric will provide a more casual feeling in the room, while velvet will provide a more luxurious feeling. Additionally, the color and texture of the treatments should match the color and texture of the largest piece of furnitures in the room.
Additionally, it is also essential to consider how these colors will look during future seasons of the year. Finally, another factor to consider is the specific use of the room in which the treatments will be installed. For bedrooms, blackout treatments will assist in the rest of the occupants.
However, kitchens should use washable treatments or shades that do not touch the floor. Offices may require treatments that will block any glare from the computer screen that may appear on the desks of the office workers. Finally, nurseries should use treatments that meet safety standard to ensure the safety of the young children in the home.
By selecting the correct type, size, and mounting method for the treatments, homeowners can transform their room.
