Ever since I moved apartments iii weeks ago, the beginning thing anyone asks when they see me is "how'south the new place?" And lately, my response has been the aforementioned: "Information technology'due south all done—except the window treatments!" That's because, though they serve an important purpose and tin can often take upwards some of the nearly real estate of anything in a room, window treatments tin can exist tough to navigate. At that place are simply and then many options—do I go with defunction? Blackout or sheer? Roller shades? Blinds? Dare I say...Roman shades? Plus, given that they can be an investment piece, you don't desire to settle on the incorrect one.

To help you be meliorate informed than I was for your next motion (or redesign, renovation, or simple refresh), I tapped the experts at The Shade Store, a designer become-to for window trimmings of all kinds, to requite us the rundown. I also asked a few trusted designers how they use them themselves. Read on to hear what they had to say.

Don't put it off

Adam Skalman, The Shade Shop's VP of sales, says the biggest error people brand in the process is procrastinating. "I would encourage anybody to get started choosing window treatments early in the interior decorating process," he advises. "Planning ahead will ultimately brand your space feel more than carefully curated, with room left in the budget for finishing touches."

Designer Kevin Isbell agrees. "More oftentimes times than not we beginning with the window treatment and piece of work around them, as they exercise become the focal point," he reveals.

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Robin Gannon opted for a combination of tailored pleat drapery in a Pierre Frey textile and blinds (The Shade Store's Waterfall Woven Forest Shade) in this bedroom.

Nick Sargent

Select your production

Skalman has sold pretty much every type of window handling nether (or , rather, blocking) the sun. The beginning matter he has to say about whatsoever type of treatment: "They should be an investment." And, as function of that, "they should be custom to your space." Instead of snagging the least offensive pick from Amazon, take the time to remember about how you want low-cal to filter into your infinite, so work with that.

"I would beginning with the product type first," Skalman advises (see below for a full rundown of the options). "In one case I've decided on the product type, I would move on to materials and patterns."

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Roman shades in The Shade Shop'south Pendleton x Sunbrella collection.

The Shade Store

Know your material

It'southward important to consider what type of cloth is all-time for what awarding. For example, some sheers may filter light nicely, only they won't hold up to clothing in, say, a kids' room. "Knowing how a fabric volition drape, whether it volition stretch out over time and how it is going to await with different types of light coming through are all of import technical aspects that will affect how the window handling will look once installed," says designer Alizee Brion.

Skalman advises you to work with a professional, like The Shade Store's Design Consultants, to decide what works best. "People try to practice it all themselves. I actually believe you demand professionals to assist guide y'all through the window treatment procedure, especially with measurement and installation," he says. "You're going to live with your window treatments for a long time, so y'all should become something that's fabricated very well—and just for you."

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"A uncomplicated tailored pleat, hung from rings, and a suspension only above the floor keeps the look corking and tidy," says Kevin Isbell, who put this tailored pleat curtain from The Shade Store in his author's lounge at this year'south Kips Bay Palm Beach Designer Showhouse.

Nick Sargent

Go the right fit

"The custom fit of whatever window treatment is critical," says Brizon. Not but does a well-fitted window treatment brand a room expect polished, it can likewise improve less than polished rooms. "Properly scaled window treatments can enhance a room and hibernate a multitude of sins," says designer Kevin Isbell. "Less than desirable ceiling acme? Hang the drapery equally well-nigh to the crown molding as possible so the eye is drawn up. Widows not wide plenty? Take the window treatment stack a flake wider on each side so the eye perceives a lager window beyond what is actually shown." Robin Gannon agrees: "Nosotros tend to use window treatments to correct a lot of interior architecture," she says.

window treatment guide

Master these terms

Finally, nosotros asked Skalman to break down the different types of treatments on the market—what they are, what they do, and how to use them.

Roller Shades "have a minimalist look and feel, and are available in light-filtering and blackout styles to command low-cal and privacy," says Skalman. Every bit y'all may accept guessed, they open and close past rolling over a central dowel, meaning they lay flat when open. "They're a great style to showcase cute textures and patterns," Skalman says.

Roman Shades "blend the softness of drapery with the functionality of shades," says Skalman. "There are numerous styles, each crafted to control calorie-free and frame your windows in their ain unique way." These shades fold up into themselves to open up, usually via a chain pull.

Pleated Shades "are exactly what they sound like — a series of expanding pleats," says Skalman. "They take a crisp, clean look and help to control light and privacy inside your space."

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Cellular shades in a bathroom.

The Shade Store

Honeycomb, or Cellular Shades "take a clean and simple look similar to pleated," Skalman says. They become their name from the expanding "cells," which look like honeycomb from the side. Non only are they available in light-filtering and blackout options Skalman says, but they also tin can help provide insulation.

Solar Shades "are designed with varying transparencies to not only provide light control and privacy, but also to aid protect your interior from harmful UV rays and fading," says Skalman.

Blinds are any options that feature "adaptable slats to control low-cal and privacy in your space," says Skalman.

Blackout shades filter all light, perfect for light sleepers who like to drift off in full darkness.

Pall is an umbrella term for any window treatment that hangs over or alongside the windows. Below are some mutual types:

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A Shade Shop pinch-pleat drape in a bathroom by Betsy Wentz.

Nick Sargent
  • Ripple Fold Pall has no pleat, and instead "features uncomplicated, elegant waves that cascade gracefully."
  • Tailored Pleat Curtain "is a classic design," Skalman says. It's characterized by "repeating sewn folds at the acme."
  • Compression Pleat Curtain features pleats sewn at just the top, giving material the look of being pinched from the finish (the epitome at the top of this story shows an Aerin fabric by The Shade Store in compression pleat). Designer Betsy Wentz is a fan: "When it comes to window treatments, I like to go along it unproblematic and let the fabric shine," she says. "A full set of drapery panels can literally transform a infinite."
  • Grommet Drape has metal rings within the fabric which the curtain rod runs through.
  • Inverted Pleat Drapery is "creatively designed to hide top-stitching," Skalman says, giving information technology a "well-baked, clean appearance."
  • Goblet Drapery is a more ornate style. "If you look closely at the summit, you'll see handcrafted pleats that look only like classic goblets," Skalman says.
  • Cubicle Drapery features small grommets or holes for hooks that hang from a runway. "This is a upkeep-witting option," says Skalman.
  • Rod Pocket Curtain features a peak "pocket" with openings at both ends for the rod. The curtain fabric spreads across the rod when close and "gathers beautifully when opened," says Skalman.
  • Sheer Drapery "is a semi-transparent style that lets soft light filter into your space," Skalman explains. "Information technology looks peachy alone, but nosotros suggest layering information technology with solids or patterns for added depth."

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"I beloved uncomplicated panels and swell blinds," says Alessandra Branca, who covered a whole wall of this terrace with them.

Nick Sargent

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