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Window treatment tips to liven up your living quarters

Throwing shade is OK

A white bed sits in the middle of a bright, sunny bedroom Credit: Getty Images / KatarzynaBialasiewicz

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When it comes to redecorating a room, there are so many aspects to consider. First you must decide on the color palette and aesthetic (are you a modern farmhouse fan or more French revival? What about mid-century modern?) and then look for furniture and décor to match.

The process can be fun, certainly, but more often than not it becomes a bit arduous trying to find the one piece that can pull it all together. In many instances, this one pivotal “piece” is likely to be a window treatment.

Adorning the windows in any room can take it from drab to fab and from boring to interesting in a matter of seconds. Every room requires something different, however. You wouldn’t want to hang floor-length curtains in the bathroom, for example. So, to parse out some unique ideas, we reached out to design expert Kingsley Catalucci, Design Consultant, AKBD, UDCP at Rhode Island Kitchen and Bath who shares great insight into how you can transform any room in your home with the right window treatment.

Avoid fabric in the bathroom

Modern bathroom with one window.
Credit: Getty Images / Phototropic

Don't overcrowd your bathroom with lengthy or extravagant curtains–simplicity is the idea to keep in mind.

In order to upgrade your bathroom, it may benefit the room’s overall look to consider nixing any kind of fabric curtains and go for something a bit simpler.

“A translucent film applied directly to the glass would create privacy without blocking the natural light from flooding in,” suggests Catalucci.

If something more traditional is your style, or you’re looking for a bit more structure, cellular shades may be the best fit. “[Cellular shades] offer flexibility to pull up from the bottom, provide privacy and allow the light to come through,” she says, adding that natural light is a top priority for her when designing bathrooms.

Want something customizable? A great option that has a bit more personalization could be to choose a favorite piece of fabric, whether it be something sentimental or even a pretty pillowcase you no longer use, and hang it using a tension rod. This option allows for maneuverability from top to bottom, so you can choose where it sits in the window.

Make the bedroom a sanctuary

Cream colored macrame window curtain on window in bright bedroom.
Credit: TheKnottyHen

Your bedroom should be a personal oasis to escape to.

The bedroom is one of the most personal rooms in the whole house, so it should be a true reflection of your style and taste. Think outside of the box by going for unique combinations you can make yourself instead of settling for what’s offered at the big box stores.

If letting in more light takes top priority, materials like macramé and lace are great replacements for cotton curtains, and they can help to solidify a room’s overall vibe. Both provide just the right amount of privacy while allowing for the sun to shine through and creating a bright atmosphere.

Want even more customization? Opt for unexpected elements like a sturdy tree branch used as the macramé curtain rod or a copper pipe for the lace in order to balance and complement the delicacy.

Another way to transform the look of your bedroom space is to incorporate barn door shutters. This take on the classic sliding barn door helps to achieve your farmhouse dreams while keeping outside light to a minimum. Perfect for kids’ rooms, too, they’re easier to clean than your average fabric curtains and last for many years.

Lastly, utilizing curtain string lights can bring the whimsy to any bedroom and add interest to otherwise plain drapes. Either use them on their own (we recommend buying a surplus in order to double-up and avoid any major gaps) or hang them inside sheer or medium-transparency curtains for a softer glow.

Keep it simple in the kitchen

White blinds in modern style kitchen on a bright day.
Credit: Getty Images / KatarzynaBialasiewicz

Create harmony in your kitchen with functional, yet sophisticated window treatments.

Because of its array of appliances, equipment and seating, the kitchen is a place where it’s best to stay uncomplicated in regards to window treatments so as to not draw too much attention to too many places. Catalucci says she doesn’t often see window treatments in kitchens at all when she works with her clients.

“I've seen a lot of homes where there are window treatments in every room besides the kitchen,” she says. It makes sense, when you consider that fabric treatments in the kitchen will need to be washed much more frequently than other rooms. But, this doesn’t mean you have to go without entirely.

“An over-the-sink valance, whether it's on a detailed funky rod or a sleek taut wire, will add some texture and shade (especially if your window is over the sink)” she explains.

You can create the illusion of shades with lattice inserts in a lovely diamond shape and are attached to the windows themselves.

Can’t commit? Try making your own moveable shade panel out of decorative rattan or cane by glueing the separate pieces together to form the size and shape of the window you’d like to cover. It can be leaned against the glass during times of high sun and then removed when not needed. The vintage-inspired look will go well with many types of décor styles and will look great as an accent piece, as well.

Tie in something meaningful for the living room

On left, wooden knobs flower shaped knobs from Anthropologie. On right, white Victorian style knobs.
Credit: Anthropologie / GoodHouseDesign

Why take the subtle route when you can incorporate eclectic conversation pieces in a low-lift way?

Arguably the room where we spend most of our time, the living room is the perfect place for a window treatment as unique as you are.

Incorporating personal items into your living room window treatment can not only double as an interesting conversation piece, but will give new life to objects that you cherish. Try using vintage door knobs for tiebacks, repurposed bed sheets for floor-length curtains, or draped tulle along the curtain rod to add texture.

If you want the appearance of taller ceilings for this often-used room, Catalucci recommends hanging the rod close to the ceiling despite window height. “This method makes the eye perceive the space as much bigger than it really is and adds grandeur to any sized room,” she says.

Use a bay window to bring the outside in

Bay window in home on a sunny bright day.
Credit: Getty Images / Elenathewise

Let the natural light from outdoors flood your space.

Dressing a bay window may seem intimidating at first, but the irregular window shape may actually be the ideal setting for interesting and unconventional window treatments. If you choose to have long drapes, “opt for hooks or pins as opposed to rods for bay windows in order to make both changing out the curtain much easier, as well as allowing for lots of different décor to be used,” Catalucci advises. For example, she adores the look of draping ivy over the hooks and controlling how it grows over time.

Another tip she gives is to not be afraid of layering your window treatments, as the final look will be worth it.

“The bay window is typically a focal point for a room, so the more the merrier, really!” Pair blinds or shades with drapery to not only maximize light control but also make the room feel more cozy and insulated. The additional color and texture brings lots of interest for the eye, as well.

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