What Are the Most Popular Window Treatments?
You just got new windows installed in your home and now you want an equally elegant window treatment to match. Besides just looks, the window treatment should have a timeless style that’s quite favored in today’s homes. What are the most popular window treatments available?
These 4 window treatments are considered the most popular today:
- Plantation Shutters
- Blinds
- Shades
- Motorized Shades
If you’re looking to learn more about these four favored window treatments, then you’re not going to want to miss this article. Ahead, you’ll see why any of these recommended window treatments can beautify your home. There will even be a section on how to choose the right window treatment for you, so keep reading!
Plantation Shutters
The first type of noteworthy window treatment is one that’s been favored in homes for more than 2,500 years. Yes that’s right, the exciting history of plantation shutters does indeed date back that far.
Named after the colonial south in the United States, some form of plantation shutters has existed since around 800 BC. The version of plantation shutters the Ancient Greeks would use was incredibly simple, made of only a combination of wood and cloth. The most durable shutters had metal reinforcements, but these were rare.
Over the generations and centuries, plantation shutters expanded from Ancient Greece to France and other parts of Europe. Louis XIV, at one time the king of France, was said to have been a big fan of the shutters.
Plantation shutters as you know and love them are attributable to Spanish settlers who came to the Americas. This is where the colonial southern US history of plantation shutters came to be. You can still find plantation shutters predominantly in the southern US–especially Florida–but today, the rest of the country embraces these shutters as well. If you would like to learn more about plantation shutters, check out What Are Plantation Shutters and Are They Right for You.
Plantation shutters lend a home undeniable southern comfort. Available in a variety of colors and styles, the shutters feature louvers or slats. Depending on the thickness of the louver, you can let in more light.
Blinds
When it comes to classic window treatments still high on the popularity scale, it’s hard to beat blinds. You may even have some blinds in your home. Yet these days, blinds have transcended basic window coverings and have grown to become a beloved window treatment in their own right.
Instead of plastic, you might consider hardwood or faux wood for your blinds. The former material lends gorgeous quality to the blinds, making them suitable for any room that needs to look stately. Faux wood blinds carry the same lightweight quality as plastic, but have their own unique look.
Making just the change of swapping out the material of the blinds, now your basic horizontal blinds look even more beautiful. Of course, you don’t exclusively have to go horizontal with your blinds if you don’t want to.
Vertical blinds are sure to make an impact in many rooms of your home. Ideal for floor-to-ceiling windows or glass doors, vertical blinds come in materials such as vinyl, fabric, or aluminum. You can even get some vertical blinds patterned for a customized look.
If you need more protection from the harsh Tampa sun, vertical blinds are a smart solution. Each slat offers exemplary privacy and sun protection.
For the most in privacy, sliding panels are another option to consider. These are also vertical blinds but with much larger slats. Certain models of sliding panel blinds can double as room dividers, making these blinds an excellent choice for more than just a window treatment.
Shades
The soft glow of the sun as it begins setting in the sky is one of the most romantic times of the day. It’s no wonder people refer to this daily period as the golden hour. If you want to drink in the beauty of every golden hour in your Tampa home, then shades are yet another fantastic window treatment to consider.
Roman shades especially could be just what you’re looking for. This window treatment can stack like blinds when you open the shades. Pull down your Roman shades and they’ll be as smooth as butter with no seams, lines, or any traces of the stacking.
HunterDouglas.com explains that some styles of Roman shades fold in four-inch segments and others in six inches. You can even buy Roman blinds with triple-cell construction for better energy efficiency!
One reason that Roman shades in particular have caught on among homeowners is how they function like traditional blinds. Although you don’t get quite as much privacy with Roman shades as with some of the other window treatments on this list, these shades let in just as much light as you wish. You might leave the shades closed in the middle of the afternoon and then open them later as the sun wanes. It’s your choice!
Motorized Shades
One consideration you have for your window treatment is you’d prefer if it’s simple to use. Pull cords can get tangled, especially if you have young children at home.
Motorized shades can solve your problems. You push only a button to raise or lower the shades to your preferences. This keeps kids away from window parts like rods and even cords, which could be choking hazards for babies or toddlers. Older adults who may not move with quite the same ability as they once did can also appreciate the ease of use that comes with motorized shades.
Never miss that beautiful daybreak or peaceful sunset by finagling with your blinds to get them just right. Motorized shades take all the effort out of your window treatment, allowing you the precision you crave just when you need it most. As you can imagine, these shades are a good option if you want privacy in your home as well.
Selecting Window Treatments for Your Home
Now that you’re familiar with the most popular window treatments on the market, how do you choose?
Well, first you want to think about the style of your current windows. If your windows are tall or encompass a large portion of the room, vertical blinds or sliding panels would look especially lovely. These blinds can provide the sun coverage you need considering the size of your windows and also allow for privacy so you feel secure in your own home.
Consider also the ease of use. Blinds, vertical or horizontal alike, may open with a cord or a pull rod, as do plantation shutters. If you’d rather that opening and closing your window treatment be a more hands-off experience, motorized shades are for you. Remember, you simply press a button and you can raise or lower the shades as you need.
If you want to make a statement with your window treatment, then Roman shades, vertical blinds, or plantation shutters will give you that oomph you’re searching for. Your friends and family will marvel at how wonderful your living room or sitting room looks with a window treatment like this.
Conclusion
The most popular window treatment options are plantation shutters, blinds, shades, and motorized shades. No matter which treatment you choose, you can feel confident that you’re getting optimal light control and privacy. The factors above will help you make up your mind, as will your budget and personal tastes. Best of luck!
Sources
https://www.hunterdouglas.com/stories/roman-shade-styles-defined