Not only are window furnishings important for privacy, light control and temperature control, but they also add a lot to the room aesthetically. Choosing the right type of window treatment can truly transform the space. If you've been looking into window furnishings already, you'll know that they are a big investment, so the last thing you want to do is get them wrong. To help you make the right decision, we've put together a quick guide to the 4 most common types of window furnishings we use:
1 | Roller Blinds
Roller blinds are by far the most common window furnishing our clients ask for. They're neat and simple, so they suit a lot of contemporary homes. Roller blinds come in either single rollers or double rollers. As the name suggests, single roller blinds have only one roller, which can be in either block out fabric (best for light and temperature control) or screen fabric (giving you privacy during the day without blocking out all the light and view). Double rollers allow you to have both options together.
Something to consider is the installation, which can be either face fit (mounted above the window) or recess fit (mounted within the window reveal). Where possible, we prefer a recess fit to create a neater appearance. However, this can create a light gap around the edges of the blind so face fit is usually best for bedrooms. Rollers can also be back rolled (so the fabric sits closer to the window) or front rolled (so the fabric hangs over the front toward the room). We usually recommend back rolled to minimise light gaps - but keep in mind that if you have a lovely one-sided block out fabric, the top roller will show the back of the fabric!
While roller blinds are more affordable than other options, the cost will depend on the type of fabric you select. To save costs, we often select lovely textured fabrics for main living areas, and something more simple for laundries and bathrooms, or if we are putting sheer curtains over the top of them anyways.
2 | Curtains
Curtains are my favourite type of window furnishings as they add such beautiful texture and softness to a space. Like roller blinds, you have the option of block out fabrics, sheer fabrics or both, depending on the needs of the room. As mentioned above, we also often pair lovely sheer curtains with block out roller blinds, for a more minimal look (that is also more affordable than block out curtains). For contemporary homes, we usually stick with S-Fold curtains, but if you have a more traditional style home, it may be best to go with a box-pleat, pinch pleat or pencil pleat header instead.
One important consideration with curtains is the height and width. To make your spaces feel larger and grander, we always make the curtains as tall as possible. That means hanging them not far under the cornice, and having them hanging to the floor. We also make them as wide as possible, even wall to wall if we can! As with roller blinds, the fabric that you select will have a big influence on the cost of the curtain. However, with curtains being such a feature in any room, we recommend to treat this like an investment and select quality fabrics - even if it means doing it in stages.
3 | Plantation Shutters
Plantation shutters are very popular as they provide an elegant yet casual look. They can suit both a traditional style home and a contemporary style home, making them very versatile. They also allow for excellent control of light and privacy, and like with the roller blinds above, they also look fantastic with sheer curtains over the top of them. While they do gather dust, they are incredibly durable and can be much easier to clean than curtains or rollers. They are therefore often a better option if you have pets and/or kids. While they are a fantastic investment, it's important to note that plantation shutters tend to be on the expensive side.
Something else to consider if using plantation shutters in a bedroom is that they do have some light bleed even when fully closed - particularly if you get a lot of light on that window. They are also a bit more awkward to leave fully open than other options because they take up a some space in front of the window. This could be an issue with furniture placement, especially if you're someone who likes to regularly open windows.
4 | Roman Blinds
Roman blinds fold up as you draw them upwards, and also come in a range of block out and sheer fabrics. They are a fantastic option if you like the simplicity of roller blinds, but you're after something a bit more elegant and interesting that can be more of a feature in the room. Roman blinds are perfect for traditional style homes, but can still suit a contemporary interior - depending on the fabric selected. When selecting roman blinds, pay attention to the pull system - we recommend a chain drive option over a corded system as they're easier to use.
We hope this guide has been helpful! If you are looking to build or renovate and would like some help, you can get in contact with us using the link below:
Have a wonderful week,
Nina xx