Window treatment choices can address light, location and design issues

The direction that windows face and the proximity of streets to them are two of the factors homeowners should consider when choosing custom drapery or other window treatments.


According to IdeasForHomeDecorating.com, those who live in a dusty or high pollution area should stay away from light-colors fabrics for their windows because they will show dirt more easily.


"You'll also be better off if you don't have elaborate treatments such as swags and intricate folds which will trap the dirt," the website advises.


The direction that the windows face will determine how much natural light will enter the room. Windows with a northern or eastern exposure generate less light, but south- and west-facing windows will allow in the most light. In the southern hemisphere, the opposite is true.
 

When windows face out on a street, homeowners may consider using a heavy fabric for drapes or noise reduction shades. They are particularly useful for bedroom windows that face a street or other area that may be get noisy when one is trying to get some sleep.


When too much light enters a bedroom, blackout window shades will solve the problem. Roller shades that fit a variety of decors come in blackout fabrics that provide the light control needed to create a darker room.


Privacy issues are another concern that can be solved with the correct selection of window treatments, which can provide privacy when it's needed and allow an outside view at other times.


"If you don't want to cut out too much light, then think about using a translucent fabric such as muslin, net, voile or lace, as curtain or shades to give you some privacy," the website suggests.


Another option is to install a cafe curtain, which is hung from a rod or pole halfway up the window. This style of curtain protects privacy while allowing light into the room from the top half of the window.


If window blinds are preferred, homeowners may want to consider buying custom blinds online to get as wide a selection as possible to match their home décor.


Sometimes homeowners are faced with a specific design dilemma that will determine how they outfit their windows. A deep recessed window, for instance, should be styled with draperies hung outside the recessed area to allow as much light as possible to enter. If the recessed window is particularly large, the drape can be hung inside the recessed area.