Top 7 Window Treatment Mistakes You Must Avoid

Dec 10

An easy way to enhance the look and feel of your home is by replacing old and worn-out window treatments with new ones. Maybe you’ve done your homework, know the pros and cons of what’s available and have an image in mind of how you want your windows to look. The only thing that’s left to do is buy a top-quality covering and you’re done.

But it isn’t as easy as it sounds, what with so many options available. Even if you know whether you want blinds, shades, shutters or drapes, you may still be confused about the type that’s best for your home. This may lead you to buy a window treatment that derails your original plan to transform your interiors. We understand how complicated the buying process can get which is why our experts have written this blog post. Keep reading to discover the mistakes you must avoid at all costs when purchasing a window treatment to ensure you make a smart investment.

Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Window Treatments

  1. Picking the Wrong Size

Window treatments need to be measured carefully if you don’t want them to look out of place. If you order a product with the wrong width or height, it’ll look too small or big for your window, resulting in you wasting your hard-earned money. So, before you order, grab the right supplies – a pencil or pen, notepad, measuring tape and a marker or highlighter. Depending on whether you want vertical or horizontal treatments, measure your windows with the tape. Note the dimensions to help you when you go shopping. Additionally, make sure you know which window you are measuring to avoid making the costly mistake of buying something that clashes with your interiors. Stay calm and take your time when measuring to ensure you don’t have to re-order anything.

Wrong size window covering

  1. Forgetting About Your Décor

There are doubtless many window treatment options available, making it easy to feel overwhelmed and purchase a traditional one without making sure it matches your décor. But, if your interiors are modern, traditional treatments will look out of place. For a modern home, it’s best to stick to drapery or vertical window panels and roller shades. If you have a transitional home, sheer window coverings will add visual interest to your room. When looking to add more texture, consider woven wood or honeycomb shades. For traditional homes, the best coverings are wood blinds with wide slats and plantation shutters.

  1. Ignoring Function

While size and style should definitely be considered, homeowners tend to forget about functionality. Remember, window treatments aren’t just there to add aesthetic value to your home; they also provide privacy, light control, UV protection and insulation. When setting out to buy drapes, shades or blinds, keep in mind exactly what you want to accomplish with these new additions. For instance, if you want to keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter, you would benefit from honeycomb shades. Alternatively, if you’re trying to darken the room, go for a blackout treatment.

  1. Overlooking Curb Appeal

While it’s essential to think about how the coverings will look inside your home, you should also consider how they appear from the outside. If you live in a neighborhood, do what you want but spare some thought as to whether rich colours fit in. If you want to install nude or pastel drapes or curtains in a room such as a nursery, it might clash with the exterior colour. One idea is to step outside and note the colours and style of your home before setting out to look for window treatments. Putting more thought into this process will ensure you don’t have to replace them because they appear out of place.

Window covering outside view

  1. Disregarding Safety Risks

Don’t forget about safety when choosing window treatments, as some of the most common household products aren’t safe for children, let alone pets. For instance, horizontal blinds with cords pose a risk of strangulation for both kids and animals. Some of the most dangerous parts of window treatments are pull cords, chains, looped cords, lifting loops and inner cords. So, before buying, consider the safety hazards a window treatment may pose to eliminate any risk to your child or pet.

  1. Failing to Consider the Environment

Consider the environment of the room for which you are purchasing the window treatment. For instance, bathrooms are exposed to high levels of humidity. This means you need to choose an option that stands up well to moisture, like faux wood as it won’t warp over time.

  1. Choosing the Wrong Hardware

If you’re thinking of using the hardware on your current window treatment, make sure it can support the weight of your new one. Consult your home improvement expert about whether this hardware will work with the new style or if it’s better to replace it. You may have to set a budget for any new hardware.

Spending a little time thinking about these window treatment mistakes can help you avoid inconvenient and costly installation mistakes. When you know what to expect, you’ll be able to decide on the treatment that works best for your home. Now that you know what you need to avoid, focus on choosing a useful and beautiful treatment for your home.